Who Should I Start? Dalton Schultz or AJ Barner

Wednesday, June 4, 12:31 PM

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (leg) is back practicing at voluntary organized team activities this week after missing the first few sessions with an apparent leg injury, according to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander. In his second year working with quarterback C.J. Stroud, Schultz disappointed in 2024 with 53 catches on 85 targets for 532 yards and only two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (13 starts), especially when considering the season-ending injuries to receivers Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee). Diggs is gone and Dell probably won't play at all in 2025, but the Texans added Christian Kirk via trade and Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the draft. The 28-year-old is the team's clear-cut top pass-catching tight end, but Schultz could once again struggle for consistent targets on a week-to-week basis for his fantasy managers.

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.