Who Should I Start? Colby Parkinson or AJ Barner
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.1 | 20.6 | 0.2 |
Colby Parkinson News
Friday, August 14, 6:48 AM
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson finished third on the team in most major receiving categories in 2025, topped only by the electric wide receiver tandem of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. With the Rams deploying 13 personnel at a historic rate, he was often the second read on any given pass play, and while more heavy personnel usage is expected in 2026, increased competition from his own position group will make it difficult for Parkinson to repeat his TE15 finish from a year ago. The team spent a second-round pick on Ohio State's Max Klare, and veteran Tyler Higbee is healthy after playing in only 10 games in 2025, but Parkinson's stiffest competition will come from second-year player Terrance Ferguson, who by all accounts is having an outstanding training camp after a strong finish to his rookie season. Ferguson led all NFL tight ends with an unfathomable 21.0 yards per reception in 2025, and with the most obvious upside among his own team's position room, he has emerged as the Rams tight end to roster in 2026, pushing Parkinson to RotoBaller's TE31.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.1 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 2.8 | 27.8 | 0.2 |
AJ Barner News
Tuesday, August 11, 6:33 AM
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is an "ascending" TE who "should come into his own in Year 3." Barner is finally healthy after multiple offseason surgeries, and new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury's scheme "should accelerate his progress." Fowler adds that Barner "can do a little bit of everything." The Seahawks will have two tight ends on the field "very, very often," according to Barner. The 24-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2024 from the University of Michigan took a step forward last year in his second season, catching 52 of 68 targets for 519 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games after posting a 30-245-4 line as a rookie. However, with second-year player Elijah Arroyo expected to be a much bigger part of Seattle's passing attack, Barner's fantasy value will likely come with a low ceiling as more of a touchdown-dependent TE2 streamer as long as Arroyo stays healthy. RotoBaller currently has Barner ranked as the No. 29 fantasy TE for the 2026 season, right behind Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton.
Colby Parkinson vs. AJ Barner
Still trying to decide between Parkinson and Barner? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Colby Parkinson is projected to score 5.4 points this week while AJ Barner is projected to score 7.1 points.
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