AJ Barner Fantasy outlook, stats and Week 4 start/sit for 2026
- Age
- 24
- Height / weight
- 6'6", 251 lb
- Experience
- 3rd season
- Drafted
- 2024 R4, #121
2026 Season
- PPR PPG
- 7.7
- Pos rank
- TE22
- Rostered
- 26%
Week 4 vs. Chargers, Sun Oct 4, 4:25 PM ET 19th vs. TEs, neutral
AJ Barner Fantasy Football Stats & Analysis
Scoring rate
7.7 PPG
Played
3 games
Role
Starter
Trend
Stable
AJ Barner's 2026 Season, Week by Week
3 games played: two mid-range starts and one bust. The next four matchups are a tough stretch ahead.
- Week 1, Win,vs NE,3.3,TE40
- Week 2, Win,at ARI,7.9,TE20
- Week 3, Loss,at WAS,11.9,TE14
- Up next. Week 4, Oct 4,vs LAC,NeutralChargers vs. TEs
- Week 5, Oct 11,vs SF,Neutral49ers vs. TEs
- Week 6, Oct 15,at DEN,NeutralBroncos vs. TEs
- Week 7, Oct 25,vs KC,NeutralChiefs vs. TEs
Matchup rank is PPR points allowed to TEs through Week 4. 1st allows the most, 32nd the fewest.
Should You Start or Roster AJ Barner?
Barner is averaging 7.7 PPR points per game through 3 games, with 8 catches for 90 yards and 0 TD on 12 targets. That ranks TE22, which makes him a bench stash in most leagues.
His yards per target (7.5) is in the 54th percentile among TEs, the best of his efficiency marks; his catch rate (66.7%) is the weakest, in the 22nd. His quarterback has been Drew Lock.
His best week was TE14 in Week 3 at the Commanders (11.9 points); his worst, TE40 in Week 1 against the Patriots (3.3). Two favorable matchups are coming: the Cardinals (6th vs. TEs) in Week 9 and the Raiders (4th vs. TEs) in Week 10.
For the season-long call, whether to hold, trade or start him, check where Barner ranks among all TEs in Redraft Command.
What's Driving His Production
Percentile vs. every TE with at least 8 targets in 2026. The line marks the league median.
Target share
12.6%35th percentile, below average
Yards per target
7.554th percentile, about average
Catch rate
66.7%22nd percentile, below average
Fantasy points per target
1.9351st percentile, about average
AJ Barner 2026 Game Log
| Wk | Opp | Result | FPTS | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | vs Patriots | W 13–10 | 3.3 | TE40 |
| 2 | @ Cardinals | W 31–7 | 7.9 | TE20 |
| 3 | @ Commanders | L 31–33 | 11.9 | TE14 |
| Total | 2–1 | 23.1 | TE22 |
Career Fantasy Stats by Season
| Season | Team | GP | Tgt | Rec | Rec yds | Rec TD | FPTS | PPG | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | SEA | 3 | 12 | 8 | 90 | 0 | 23.1 | 7.7 | — |
| 2025 | SEA | 17 | 68 | 52 | 519 | 6 | 147.3 | 8.7 | TE14 |
| 2024 | SEA | 17 | 38 | 30 | 245 | 4 | 78.5 | 4.6 | TE35 |
| Career | 37 | 118 | 90 | 854 | 10 | 248.9 | 6.7 |
Rest-of-Season Outlook and Availability
Outlook
The path forward is clean. Seattle added no notable pass catchers, so behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba's massive target share, Barner is the obvious secondary option if the team throws more. Rookie Elijah Arroyo is the lone threat to the workload, and offseason surgeries warrant camp monitoring. Behind him on the depth chart: Eric Saubert. Full outlook
Injury status
Active, no designation
He has not missed a game this season. Career games missed to injury: 0. Injury history
- 2025unknownPlayed through
- 2025hipPlayed through
- 2025kneePlayed through
- 2025calfPlayed through
TEs like AJ Barner
AJ Barner Fantasy Football FAQ
Should I start AJ Barner in Week 4?
AJ Barner is a bench stash in most leagues for Week 4 against the Chargers, as the TE22 in PPR total points this season (7.7 a game). The Chargers rank 19th in PPR points allowed to TEs, a neutral matchup. Get the start/sit call for Barner.
How many fantasy points is AJ Barner averaging in 2026?
AJ Barner is averaging 7.7 PPR fantasy points per game in 2026, 23.1 points across 3 games. His last game produced 11.9 points.
Where does AJ Barner rank in fantasy football in 2026?
AJ Barner ranks TE22 in PPR total points in 2026, through 3 games. That makes him a bench stash in most leagues. View his complete season statistics.
Is AJ Barner worth rostering in fantasy football?
Yes, in the right league: AJ Barner is a matchup play in TE-premium leagues, a bench stash in 12-team leagues and waiver-wire material in 10-team leagues. He is rostered in 26% of Sleeper leagues.
What is AJ Barner's fantasy football role?
AJ Barner is the Seahawks' starting TE, with Eric Saubert behind him. He is averaging 4.0 targets a game, on 86% of the offensive snaps in 2026.
What are AJ Barner's upcoming fantasy football matchups?
AJ Barner's next three games are Week 4 vs. the Chargers (19th in PPR points allowed to TEs, neutral), Week 5 vs. the 49ers (21st in PPR points allowed to TEs, neutral) and Week 6 at the Broncos (13th in PPR points allowed to TEs, neutral). Zero of them are favorable by points allowed to the position.
How consistent has AJ Barner been in fantasy football this season?
AJ Barner has finished as a top-12 TE in 0 of his 3 games this season and outside the top 36 in 1. His weekly scoring has a standard deviation of 4.3 points around his 7.7-point average.
What is AJ Barner's fantasy floor and ceiling?
This season AJ Barner's floor has been 3.3 PPR points (Week 1, TE40) and his ceiling 11.9 (Week 3, TE14). His median week has been 7.9 points. See Barner's full game log.
AJ Barner 2026 Stats
2026 through Week 4 · Seattle SeahawksTouchdowns account for 26% of his fantasy production, so his weekly output leans on volume more than scoring.
Receiving
- Rec
- 8
- Yards
- 90
- TD
- 0
- Targets
- 12
11.3 Y/R66.7% Catch %
Rushing
- Yards
- 1
- TD
- 1
1 Att1.0 Y/C
Fantasy (PPR)
- Points
- 23.1
- Pos rank
- TE22
11.9 Best Week 3 @ WAS3.3 Worst Week 1 vs NE
Advanced Receiving Stats
Barner is a short-area target (4.4 yards per target last season), with a 12.6% target share this season.
| Stat | 2026 Thru Wk 4 | 2025 16 games | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | ||||
| Yards per target | 7.5 | 60th | 7.8 | 58th |
| Fantasy points per target | 1.26 | 53rd | 1.44 | 85th |
| Yards per route run | — | — | 1.29 | 40th |
| YAC per reception | 10.4 | 98th | 5.2 | 62nd |
| Catch rate | 66.7% | 23rd | 77.0% | 71st |
| Usage | ||||
| Target share | 12.6% | 50th | 15.1% | 71st |
| Snap share | 86.3% | 90th | 78.3% | 75th |
| Air-yards share | 2.5% | 5th | 7.9% | 38th |
| Red-zone targets | 4 | 85th | 13 | 79th |
| Route participation | — | — | 82.5% | 81st |
| Style | ||||
| Average depth of target | 1.4 | 3rd | 4.4 | 17th |
Percentiles: 2026 through Week 4 among 41 qualified TEs · 2025 (16 games, weeks 1–17) among 53. Grey bars describe style, not quality.
Profile: Barner plays most snaps and gets red-zone targets, but sees few air yards.
For fantasy: his floor is his volume, 4.0 targets a game this season; efficiency decides how much of it becomes points.
Fantasy Points per Game, Every Season
7.7
Fantasy PPG
4.0
Targets/g
30
Rec yds/g
AJ Barner career stats by season
| Season | GP | Tgt | Rec | Rec yds | Rec TD | Rush yds | FPTS | PPG | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | 3 | 12 | 8 | 90 | 0 | 1 | 23.1 | 7.7 | — |
| 2025 | 17 | 68 | 52 | 519 | 6 | 14 | 147.3 | 8.7 | TE14 |
| 2024 | 17 | 38 | 30 | 245 | 4 | 0 | 78.5 | 4.6 | TE35 |
| Career | 37 | 118 | 90 | 854 | 10 | 15 | 248.9 | 6.7 | — |
What His Career Numbers Say
6.7
Career PPG
37 games over 3 seasons
100%
Availability
Share of team games he played
22%
Top-12 weeks
Share of his games as a TE1
5.5
Weekly swing
Standard deviation, moderate
Barner has averaged 6.7 fantasy points per game over 37 games and 3 seasons, without a top-12 finish. The average hides two careers: 8.5 a game in his two seasons with a starter's volume, 4.6 in the one without it.
So far in 2026 he is at 7.7 per game, down 1.0 from 2025. His volume has held at about 4.0 targets a game, so the change is efficiency and scoring. His quarterback this season has been Drew Lock.
Career numbers describe the past; for what he is worth from here, see Barner's rest-of-season rank and trade value in Redraft Command.
Career highs
- 519Rec yards2025
- 6Rec TD2025
- 147.3Fantasy pts2025 · TE14
- 854Career rec yds2024–2026
TEs like AJ Barner
AJ Barner Stats FAQ
How many fantasy points does AJ Barner have in 2026?
AJ Barner has 23.1 PPR fantasy points in 2026 through Week 4, 7.7 per game across 3 games. That total ranks TE22 at the position. See how those numbers break down week by week.
How many receiving yards does AJ Barner have this season?
AJ Barner has 90 receiving yards in 2026 through Week 4, on 8 catches and 12 targets. His high was 69 yards, in Week 3 at the Commanders.
How many receptions does AJ Barner have this season?
AJ Barner has 8 receptions in 2026 through Week 4, 2.7 a game, on 12 targets. His high was 5 catches, in Week 3 at the Commanders.
How many targets does AJ Barner have this season?
AJ Barner has drawn 12 targets in 2026 through Week 4, 4.0 a game, and caught 67% of them. His high was 9 targets, in Week 3 at the Commanders.
How many receiving touchdowns does AJ Barner have this season?
AJ Barner has no receiving touchdowns in 2026 through Week 4, plus 1 rushing touchdown.
How many receiving yards per game is AJ Barner averaging?
AJ Barner is averaging 30.0 receiving yards per game in 2026, 90 yards across 3 games.
How many yards per reception is AJ Barner averaging?
AJ Barner is averaging 11.3 yards per reception in 2026, 90 yards on 8 catches.
How many games has AJ Barner played in 2026?
AJ Barner has played 3 games in the 2026 season through Week 4.
What were AJ Barner's stats last season?
In 2025, AJ Barner caught 52 of 68 targets for 519 yards and 6 touchdowns in 17 games. That was 147.3 PPR points (8.7 per game), a TE14 finish.
What are AJ Barner's career NFL stats?
Across 3 seasons and 37 games, AJ Barner has 90 catches for 854 yards and 10 touchdowns, for 248.9 PPR fantasy points (6.7 per game).
How many touchdowns does AJ Barner have in his career?
AJ Barner has 12 touchdowns in his NFL career: 2 rushing and 10 receiving, over 37 games.
How many career receiving yards does AJ Barner have?
AJ Barner has 854 career receiving yards over 3 seasons, on 90 catches.
AJ Barner Game Log 2026
Games played
3
FPTS/G (PPR)
7.7
Targets/g
4.0
Rec/g
2.7
Rec yds/g
30.0
Yds/rec
11.3
Across 3 games in 2026, AJ Barner has averaged 4.0 targets, 2.7 receptions and 7.7 PPR fantasy points per game. AJ Barner has finished as a top-12 TE in 0 of those weeks, and inside the top 24 in 2. The best week was Week 3 against WAS (11.9 points); the lowest was Week 1 against NE (3.3).
| Wk | Opp | Result | FPTS | TGT | REC | REC YDS | REC TD | YPR | CAR | RUSH YDS | RUSH TD | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NE32nd | W 13-10 | 3.3 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 6.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TE40 |
Week 1 · NE · W 13-10 · 3.3 pts
How the 3.3 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 2 | ARI6th | W 31-7 | 7.9 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8.0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | TE20 |
Week 2 · ARI · W 31-7 · 7.9 pts
How the 7.9 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 3 | WAS3rd | L 31-33 | 11.9 | 9 | 5 | 69 | 0 | 13.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TE14 |
Week 3 · WAS · L 31-33 · 11.9 pts
How the 11.9 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
Opponent rank is fantasy points allowed to TEs across 2026: 1st allows the most, 32nd the fewest.
Where His Weeks Finished
Two TE2 weeks and one bust. For a tight end ranked TE22 overall, the spread matters more than the average: you get a TE14 ceiling and a waiver-wire floor.
Game-by-Game Breakdown
Steady in a loss at Washington
5/9, 69 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Steady in a win at Arizona
1/1, 8 yds. 1 carry, 1 rush yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed right at his current season average.
Held in check by New England
2/2, 13 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Fantasy Points By Week
- Weekly points
- Season average (7.7)
Upcoming Matchups
View matchup — Seattle Seahawks vs Los Angeles Chargers
View matchup — Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers
View matchup — Seattle Seahawks vs Denver Broncos
View matchup — Seattle Seahawks vs Kansas City Chiefs
AJ Barner Game Log 2025
Games played
17
FPTS/G (PPR)
8.7
Targets/g
4.0
Rec/g
3.1
Rec yds/g
30.5
Yds/rec
10.0
Across 17 games in 2025, AJ Barner has averaged 4.0 targets, 3.1 receptions and 8.7 PPR fantasy points per game. AJ Barner has finished as a top-12 TE in 6 of those weeks, and inside the top 24 in 10. The best week was Week 5 against TB (24.3 points); the lowest was Week 10 against ARI (0.3).
| Wk | Opp | Result | FPTS | TGT | REC | REC YDS | REC TD | YPR | CAR | RUSH YDS | RUSH TD | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SF9th | L 13-17 | 1.2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | TE59 |
Week 1 · SF · L 13-17 · 1.2 pts
How the 1.2 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 2 | PIT2nd | W 31-17 | 10.8 | 3 | 2 | 26 | 1 | 13.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | TE9 |
Week 2 · PIT · W 31-17 · 10.8 pts
How the 10.8 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 3 | NO21st | W 44-13 | 3.3 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 23.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TE38 |
Week 3 · NO · W 44-13 · 3.3 pts
How the 3.3 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 4 | ARI4th | W 23-20 | 12.2 | 3 | 3 | 32 | 1 | 10.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TE9 |
Week 4 · ARI · W 23-20 · 12.2 pts
How the 12.2 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 5 | TB8th | L 35-38 | 24.3 | 7 | 7 | 53 | 2 | 7.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TE1 |
Week 5 · TB · L 35-38 · 24.3 pts
How the 24.3 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 6 | JAX7th | W 20-12 | 10.1 | 3 | 3 | 71 | 0 | 23.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TE18 |
Week 6 · JAX · W 20-12 · 10.1 pts
How the 10.1 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 7 | HOU18th | W 27-19 | 1.9 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | TE44 |
Week 7 · HOU · W 27-19 · 1.9 pts
How the 1.9 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 8 | Bye week | |||||||||||
| 9 | WAS6th | W 38-14 | 11.5 | 4 | 3 | 24 | 0 | 8.0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | TE13 |
Week 9 · WAS · W 38-14 · 11.5 pts
How the 11.5 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 10 | ARI4th | W 44-22 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 3 | 0 | TE54 |
Week 10 · ARI · W 44-22 · 0.3 pts
How the 0.3 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 11 | LAR19th | L 19-21 | 17.1 | 11 | 10 | 70 | 0 | 7.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | TE4 |
Week 11 · LAR · L 19-21 · 17.1 pts
How the 17.1 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 12 | TEN14th | W 30-24 | 3.8 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 9.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TE35 |
Week 12 · TEN · W 30-24 · 3.8 pts
How the 3.8 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 13 | MIN27th | W 26-0 | 7.7 | 5 | 4 | 35 | 0 | 8.8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | TE22 |
Week 13 · MIN · W 26-0 · 7.7 pts
How the 7.7 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 14 | ATL29th | W 37-9 | 5.7 | 4 | 3 | 27 | 0 | 9.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TE22 |
Week 14 · ATL · W 37-9 · 5.7 pts
How the 5.7 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 15 | IND3rd | W 18-16 | 5.7 | 6 | 3 | 27 | 0 | 9.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TE26 |
Week 15 · IND · W 18-16 · 5.7 pts
How the 5.7 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 16 | LAR19th | W 38-37 | 15.0 | 6 | 4 | 49 | 1 | 12.3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | TE9 |
Week 16 · LAR · W 38-37 · 15.0 pts
How the 15.0 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 17 | CAR13th | W 27-10 | 13.3 | 3 | 3 | 43 | 1 | 14.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TE10 |
Week 17 · CAR · W 27-10 · 13.3 pts
How the 13.3 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
| 18 | SF9th | W 13-3 | 3.4 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TE39 |
Week 18 · SF · W 13-3 · 3.4 pts
How the 3.4 points scored (PPR)
| ||||||||||||
Opponent rank is fantasy points allowed to TEs across 2025: 1st allows the most, 32nd the fewest.
Where His Weeks Finished
Six TE1 weeks, four TE2 weeks and seven busts. For a tight end who finished TE21 overall, the spread mattered more than the average: you got a top-5 ceiling and a waiver-wire floor.
Wk 1 TE59 · Wk 2 TE9 · Wk 3 TE38 · Wk 4 TE9 · Wk 5 TE1 · Wk 6 TE18 · Wk 7 TE44 · Wk 9 TE13 · Wk 10 TE54 · Wk 11 TE4 · Wk 12 TE35 · Wk 13 TE22 · Wk 14 TE22 · Wk 15 TE26 · Wk 16 TE9 · Wk 17 TE10 · Wk 18 TE39
Game-by-Game Breakdown
Held in check by San Francisco
2/3, 14 yds.
Just 4.7 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
TE1 week at Carolina
3/3, 43 yds, 1 TD.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
TE1 week vs. the Rams
4/6, 49 yds, 1 TD. 1 carry, 1 rush yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Held in check by Indianapolis
3/6, 27 yds.
Just 4.5 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Steady in a win at Atlanta
3/4, 27 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Steady in a win vs. Minnesota
4/5, 35 yds. 1 carry, 2 rush yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Held in check by Tennessee
2/4, 18 yds.
Just 4.5 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
TE1 week at the Rams
10/11, 70 yds. 2 carries, 1 rush yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Held in check by Arizona
0/0, 0 yds. 2 carries, 3 rush yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Steady in a win at Washington
3/4, 24 yds. 1 carry, 1 rush yds.
Just 6.0 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Held in check by Houston
1/3, 7 yds. 1 carry, 2 rush yds.
Just 2.3 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Efficient in a road win
3/3, 71 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Season high in a shootout
7/7, 53 yds, 2 TD.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
TE1 week at Arizona
3/3, 32 yds, 1 TD.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Held in check by New Orleans
1/1, 23 yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
TE1 week at Pittsburgh
2/3, 26 yds, 1 TD. 1 carry, 2 rush yds.
A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Shut down by San Francisco
1/2, 0 yds. 1 carry, 2 rush yds.
Just 0.0 yards per target. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
TEs like AJ Barner
AJ Barner Game Log FAQ
How did AJ Barner do in his last game?
AJ Barner scored 11.9 PPR points in Week 3 at the Commanders, a 33–31 loss, a TE14 finish. He caught 5 of 9 targets for 69 yards. View his 2026 season totals.
How many fantasy points did AJ Barner score in his last game?
AJ Barner scored 11.9 PPR fantasy points in his last game, Week 3 at the Commanders, a TE14 finish for the week. That was 4.2 above his season average of 7.7.
How many receiving yards did AJ Barner have in his last game?
AJ Barner had 69 receiving yards on 5 catches in Week 3 at the Commanders, from 9 targets.
How many touchdowns did AJ Barner score in his last game?
AJ Barner did not score a touchdown in Week 3 at the Commanders; his 11.9 points came from yardage and catches.
How many receptions did AJ Barner have in his last game?
AJ Barner caught 5 of 9 targets for 69 yards in Week 3 at the Commanders.
What were AJ Barner's stats in Week 2?
In Week 2 at the Cardinals, a 31–7 win, AJ Barner caught 1 of 1 target for 8 yards, and ran for 1 yards. That was 7.9 PPR points, a TE20 finish.
What was AJ Barner's best game this season?
AJ Barner's best 2026 game was Week 3 at the Commanders: 11.9 PPR points, a TE14 finish. He caught 5 of 9 targets for 69 yards.
What was AJ Barner's worst game this season?
AJ Barner's lowest-scoring 2026 game was Week 1 against the Patriots: 3.3 PPR points, a TE40 finish. He caught 2 of 2 targets for 13 yards.
How many games has AJ Barner scored a touchdown in this season?
AJ Barner has scored a touchdown in 1 of his 3 games this season, most recently in Week 2.
Can I see AJ Barner's game logs from previous seasons?
Yes. The season selector above the game log switches it to Barner's weekly results from any season from 2024 through 2025.
AJ Barner Rest-of-Season Outlook
Every-down TE2 worth a bench spot
Preseason Projection vs. Reality
He finished TE14 last season at 8.7 points per game.
Our Take After Week 4
Through 3 games he's TE22 at 7.7 PPR points per game, against 8.7 over 17 games last season (TE14). The role is producing the same fantasy output two years running.
Last season he ranked 9th of 81 in route participation (81.9%), 15th of 82 in target share (14.9%) and 37th of 82 in efficiency (1.26 yards per route run). His points come from his route participation. Efficiency is the soft spot. Drew Lock is his quarterback.
The main risk is the job itself. He's the listed starter with Eric Saubert next on the depth chart, and a benching or an injury would take his value to zero overnight.
Read our preseason outlook (June 2026)
Published June 17, 2026. Kept for reference; the take above replaces it.
Barner's 2025 leap is the whole story: his snap share climbed from 45.1% to 77.3%, and the efficiency held up at scale. He posted 0.411 EPA per play and a 64.7% success rate on a 14.9% target share, turning 68 looks into 52 grabs for 519 yards and 6 scores. Critically, he was trusted near the goal line, drawing 13 red-zone and 6 end-zone targets, and he barely wasted possessions with a 2.9% drop rate. At 1.26 yards per route run, he earned the volume rather than inheriting it.
The path forward is clean. Seattle added no notable pass catchers, so behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba's massive target share, Barner is the obvious secondary option if the team throws more. Rookie Elijah Arroyo is the lone threat to the workload, and offseason surgeries warrant camp monitoring. Around an ADP near TE24, he's a sensible late-round TE2 with weekly touchdown equity.
What Drives His Outlook
His 2025 rank among the 81 tight ends who played at least six games. Each bar is one tight end, best on the left; his is highlighted.
Route participation
Target share
Efficiency
- Average depth of target
- 4.4
- Drop rate
- 2.9%
- Red-zone targets
- 13
- Route participation
- 81.9%
- YAC per reception
- 5.2
What Could Change His Value
Upside
- The scheduleNone of his next four opponents is a top-10 matchup for TEs.Wk 4 LAC, 19thWk 5 SF, 21stWk 6 DEN, 13thWk 7 KC, 15th
- Every-down route participation81.9% route participation, 9th of 81 TEs in 2025.
- Heavy target share14.9% target share, 15th of 82 TEs in 2025.
Risk
- Job securityEric Saubert is next on the depth chart; a benching or injury hands him the job.
- Ball security2 fumbles in 2025.
TEs like AJ Barner
AJ Barner Fantasy Outlook FAQ
What is AJ Barner's fantasy outlook for the rest of the 2026 season?
AJ Barner projects as an every-down TE2 worth a bench spot for the rest of the 2026 season: a matchup play in TE-premium leagues, a bench stash in 12-team leagues and waiver-wire material in 10-team leagues. His route participation (81.9% route participation, 9th of 81 TEs in 2025) supports that. His efficiency (1.26 yards per route run, 37th of 82 TEs in 2025) holds him back. See his live rank in Redraft Command.
What is AJ Barner's rest-of-season fantasy ranking?
AJ Barner is the TE22 in PPR points per game through Week 4. That puts him in TE2 territory, a bench stash in 12-team leagues.
What is AJ Barner's projected role going forward?
AJ Barner is the listed starting TE, with Eric Saubert next on the depth chart. Nothing on the chart threatens the job, so the role is his to lose on performance.
Will AJ Barner get more targets?
AJ Barner's targets are holding steady: 5.0 a game over his last two games against 4.0 for the season. His share of the offense is what his fantasy value rides on.
What is AJ Barner's fantasy football upside?
AJ Barner's upside: his ceiling this season is 11.9 PPR points (Week 3, TE14) and his route participation (81.9% route participation, 9th of 81 TEs in 2025) gives him a weekly floor to build on.
What could hurt AJ Barner's fantasy value?
AJ Barner's risks: Eric Saubert is next on the depth chart if he is benched or hurt and his efficiency (1.26 yards per route run, 37th of 82 TEs in 2025) limits his scoring. See his injury status and history.
How difficult is AJ Barner's remaining fantasy schedule?
Favorable: of his next seven games, 2 come against a top-10 matchup for TEs and 1 against one of the stingiest defenses, by PPR points allowed to the position.
AJ Barner Injury Update & History
Practice participation
Week 4 reports: Wed, Thu, FriWhat it means: Barner was on the Week 1 report, practiced in full on Tuesday and played.
| Week | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 4vs LAC, Oct 4 | — | — | — | Oct 2 | Due Fri |
| Week 1vs NE, Sep 9 | — | Sun — | Mon — | Tue Full | Played |
Injury History at a Glance
Four logged injuries in three seasons. None of them has cost him a regular-season game.
Durability
100/100
Games missed
Injuries
Longest absence
No games missed to injury
Where He's Been Hurt
Marker size shows games missed. A dashed ring means he played through it.
| Body part | Injuries | Games missed |
|---|---|---|
| Calf / shin | 1 | 0 |
| Elbow / arm | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 |
| Shoulder | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 4 | 0 |
Injury risk profile: Moderate
- No body part injured twice
- Questionable in 2025, played through
- 0 games in 3 seasons
- 4 injuries spread across 4 body parts
AJ Barner Injury History
Every logged injury, most recent first. Games missed are regular-season games.
- 2026
Healthy 0 games missed
No injury has cost Barner a game this season.
- 2025
Questionable Played through
Questionable
- 2025
Elbow/Hip Played through
Barner was listed on the injury report with elbow and hip issues but practiced fully ahead of the Week 18 game against the 49ers.
- 2025
Knee/Shoulder Played through
Was limited in a Wednesday practice in early December with knee and shoulder injuries but was cleared after a full practice on Thursday.
- 2025
Calf Played through
Appeared on the Week 10 injury report as questionable with a calf injury and was limited in practice.
If Barner Misses Time
Next man up: Eric Saubert
Eric Saubert is next on the Seahawks depth chart at tight end. Tight end targets would mostly move to the receivers, so he's a streaming option at best if Barner misses time.
Who else it affects
His absence would move work to the rest of the offense, and Drew Lock would lose one of his main options.
TEs like AJ Barner
AJ Barner Injury FAQ
Is AJ Barner injured?
No. As of October 2, 2026, AJ Barner is active with no injury designation. He has played every game in 2026.
Is AJ Barner playing this week?
AJ Barner has no injury designation for Week 4 against the Chargers on Sunday, October 4, so he is on track to play. Barner was on the Week 1 report, practiced in full on Tuesday and played. Should you start him?
Has AJ Barner missed any games this season?
No. AJ Barner has played in every Seahawks game in 2026, 3 games so far.
What is AJ Barner's injury history?
AJ Barner has 4 logged NFL injuries, none of which has cost him a regular-season game. No body part has been injured twice.
What was AJ Barner's most recent injury?
AJ Barner's most recent logged injury was a questionable injury in Week 18 of 2025. He played through it and missed no regular-season games.
Does AJ Barner have any recurring injuries?
No. AJ Barner's four logged injuries were to four different body parts, so the record shows no recurring pattern.
Latest AJ Barner News & Updates
Barner solid in loss at Washington
5 REC, 69 YDS (9 TGT)
11.9 fantasy points · TE14
Barner caught 5 of 9 targets for 69 yards in the 33–31 loss at Washington. That was 20% of the team's targets.
Season Timeline
Every update this season, grouped by week, newest first.
Week 2Sep 20W 31–7 @ ARI
Fantasy impact: Neutral. Barner solid in win at Arizona
7.9 fantasy points · TE20 · right at his 7.7 average
Barner caught 1 of 1 targets for 8 yards in the 31–7 win at Arizona. That was 4% of the team's targets.
Game logWeek 1Sep 9W 13–10 vs NE
Fantasy impact: Negative. Barner struggles vs. New England
3.3 fantasy points · TE40 · 4.4 below his 7.7 average
Barner caught 2 of 2 targets for 13 yards in the 13–10 win vs. New England. That was 8% of the team's targets.
Game log
No updates of this type yet this season.
Seahawks Teammates News
Updates on Barner's quarterback and target competition.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Another massive performance Sunday (opens in new tab)Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR. 36 targets this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
- Drew Lock: Returning to No. 2 role (opens in new tab)Drew Lock, QB. 48 pass attempts this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
- Drew Lock: Tosses three touchdowns in win (opens in new tab)Drew Lock, QB. 48 pass attempts this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
- Drew Lock: Will start Week 2 (opens in new tab)Drew Lock, QB. 48 pass attempts this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
- Drew Lock: Delivers in emergency duty (opens in new tab)Drew Lock, QB. 48 pass attempts this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
- Rashid Shaheed: Bigger role in 2026? (opens in new tab)Rashid Shaheed, WR. 12 targets this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
Around the Seahawks
TEs like AJ Barner
AJ Barner News FAQ
What is the latest news on AJ Barner?
The latest Barner update, from September 27: Barner solid in loss at Washington. Barner caught 5 of 9 targets for 69 yards in the 33–31 loss at Washington. That was 20% of the team's targets.
How does the latest AJ Barner news affect his fantasy value?
Positively: he scored 11.9 fantasy points, a TE14 finish, 4.2 above his 7.7 average. See the updated fantasy outlook.
AJ Barner Bio
AJ Barner is a tight end for the Seattle Seahawks, where he wears No. 88. Born May 3, 2002, in Aurora, OH, he attended Aurora and played college football at Indiana and then Michigan.
The Seattle Seahawks selected Barner in round 4, pick 121, of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was traded to the Seattle Seahawks on April 27, 2024.
In 37 regular-season games since 2024, he has caught 90 passes for 854 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Career Timeline
1 stop with 1 team in 3 seasons. Each block's width is the time he spent there.
What happened at each stop
Seattle Seahawks Current team2024–present
Selected in round 4, pick 121, of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was a starter, playing at least half the offensive snaps in 23 of 37 games. Member of the Super Bowl LX champion Seahawks.
College: Indiana, Michigan
Trades and Team Changes
- TradedTraded by the Denver Broncos to the Seattle Seahawks for WR Troy Franklin and WR Devaughn Vele.
- DraftedSelected by the Seattle Seahawks in round 4, pick 121.
TEs like AJ Barner
About AJ Barner: Bio FAQ
How old is AJ Barner?
AJ Barner is 24 years old. He was born on May 3, 2002. 2026 is his 3rd NFL season.
How tall is AJ Barner?
AJ Barner is 6 feet 6 inches tall (6'6"), listed at 251 pounds, and plays tight end for the Seattle Seahawks.
How much does AJ Barner weigh?
AJ Barner weighs 251 pounds, his listed weight on the Seattle Seahawks roster. He is listed at 6'6".
What number does AJ Barner wear?
AJ Barner wears number 88 for the Seattle Seahawks. He plays tight end.
What position does AJ Barner play?
AJ Barner plays tight end for the Seattle Seahawks, wearing number 88. 2026 is his 3rd season in the NFL.
What team does AJ Barner play for?
AJ Barner plays for the Seattle Seahawks as a tight end. He has been with the Seahawks since 2024.
Where did AJ Barner go to college?
AJ Barner played college football at Michigan, after attending Aurora (OH). The Seattle Seahawks drafted him out of Michigan in 2024.
When was AJ Barner drafted?
The Seattle Seahawks selected AJ Barner in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 121st overall pick, out of Michigan.
What round was AJ Barner drafted in?
AJ Barner was a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, taken 121st overall by the Seattle Seahawks.
What pick was AJ Barner in the NFL Draft?
AJ Barner was the 121st overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round.
Where is AJ Barner from?
AJ Barner went to high school in Ohio, at Aurora, before playing college football at Michigan.
When is AJ Barner's birthday?
AJ Barner's birthday is May 3. He was born on May 3, 2002 and is 24 years old.
How long has AJ Barner been in the NFL?
2026 is AJ Barner's 3rd NFL season; he entered the league in 2024 as a fourth-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks. View his career statistics.
What teams has AJ Barner played for?
AJ Barner has played for the Seattle Seahawks. View his career statistics.
Has AJ Barner won a Super Bowl?
Yes. AJ Barner was a member of the Seattle Seahawks team that won Super Bowl LX after the 2025 season.