Who Should I Start? Ben Sinnott or AJ Barner

Saturday, August 9, 12:18 AM

Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott drew three targets and had two receptions for 10 yards against New England on Friday. It was a relatively quiet opener for the 2024 second-round pick, but he made a couple of nice catches and got separation on other throws where he wasn't targeted as well. He got most of the reps in the first half with veteran Zach Ertz resting before taking the second half off. The Kansas State product had modest production as a rookie with six catches for 51 yards and a touchdown in the regular season and playoffs combined. His snap count decreased over the final stretch of games, but he's generated positive reports from head coach Dan Quinn throughout Commanders' training camp. Sinnott has elite athletic traits at the tight end position and could be entrusted with a larger role in his second season. He carries contingent fantasy value if Ertz were to miss any time.

Sunday, August 10, 4:12 PM

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner has looked "very promising" in training camp practices and is "currently the No. 1 tight end," according to Michael-Shawn Duggar of The Athletic. A fourth-round pick out of Michigan in the 2024 draft, Barner recorded 30 catches for 245 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games (six starts) as a rookie. Seattle released veteran tight end Noah Fant last month, which could be an indication of the confidence the organization has in Barner. However, the Seahawks also used a second-round pick in the 2025 draft at the position when they selected Elijah Arroyo, so Barner will still have in-house competition for targets and playing time.