Who Should I Start? Theo Johnson or AJ Barner

Monday, October 27, 10:29 PM

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson had a quiet game in his team's Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, recording three catches for 20 yards on four targets. Johnson has been a relatively consistent producer so far this season, recording 23 catches for 212 yards and four touchdowns on 37 targets across eight games. He's shown a nice chemistry with Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, as all four of Johnson's touchdowns have come since Dart took over as the team's starter in Week 4. However, Johnson's Week 8 dip in production coincided with the return of Giants wideout Darius Slayton, who had missed the team's previous two games with a hamstring injury. Now that Slayton is back in the lineup, it may prove difficult for Johnson to see consistent target volume. Still, Johnson has proven to be a trusted red zone option in New York. He should be added in all PPR-scoring fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams ahead of a Week 9 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Thursday, October 23, 11:42 AM

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner took a slight step back in his team's 27-19 win over the visiting Houston Texans, failing to build off the momentum he carried over the previous two contests. Barner had amassed ten receptions, 124 yards, and two touchdowns across his outings in Weeks 5 and 6. Still, he vanished on Monday night as fellow tight end Elijah Arroyo (4/42) ranked second on the team in each significant receiving category. Barner still handily out-snapped the rookie (62-27) and logged his fifth game this season with an 80% or greater snap share. Furthermore, it's still favorable that he'll be decently involved in the team's offensive attack moving forward. With that said, it's a stark reminder that wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the only set-it-and-forget-it option in the Seahawks' passing game. Barner will try to get back on track in Week 9 following Seattle's bye.