Who Should I Start? Grant Calcaterra or AJ Barner

Wednesday, October 29, 1:11 AM

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Grant Calcaterra has been a meaningful part of the offense this season, playing on 47.4% of offensive snaps in six games. Calcaterra missed Philadelphia's Week 6 matchup in Minnesota with an oblique injury, but has suited up for every other game as the team's No. 2 tight end behind Dallas Goedert. The 26-year-old has mostly served as a blocking tight end and has only caught four of his six targets for 40 yards this season, but he has proven capable of scaling up a little bit when Goedert misses time. In the seven games that Goedert missed last season, Calcaterra caught 14 of 15 targets for 165 yards and a touchdown. He'd be in TE2 territory if Goedert were to miss any games this season.

Friday, December 26, 7:37 PM

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is a starting option in Week 17 against a middle-of-the-pack Carolina Panthers defense. The Panthers are No. 17 against opposing tight ends in fantasy. The defense is much improved from last season and is not being gouged at every level of the field as they have in years past. Barner has been relatively fantasy-relevant this season with a nose for the end zone and a proven after-catch ability. In Week 16, Barner caught four of six targets for 49 yards and a touchdown. He has also recorded at least six targets in two straight games. The recent volume supplies Barner with a solid fantasy floor. The Seahawks should be able to move the ball against the Panthers, which will provide Barner with red zone opportunities. If you need a potential replacement for an injured San Francisco 49ers tight end, George Kittle (ankle), or underperformers such as Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren, Barner is a solid option for championship week.