Who Should I Start? Darren Waller or AJ Barner

Tuesday, August 12, 1:19 PM

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller will not join the team for training camp practices this week, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. Waller began camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list due to conditioning issues after coming out of retirement, and McDaniel isn't ready to throw him iinto the fire during joint practices this week with the Detroit Lions. The 32-year-old veteran will continue to work on his conditioning after not playing at all in 2024, but he's unlikely to come off the PUP list and play in the second preseason game this Saturday against the Lions. Waller had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2019 and 2020 with the Raiders, but it's fair to wonder if he has that kind of production in him at this point in his career. He's worth a late-round flier as a TE2 given the weak nature of the position, but don't expect him to put up the numbers that Jonnu Smith did in Miami in 2024.

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.