AJ Barner

AJ Barner enters the 2026 fantasy season as a useful but still somewhat volatile tight end option after a clear step forward in 2025. He finished last season with 52 catches for 519 yards and six touchdowns, added a little rushing production, and saw his snap share jump from 45% in 2024 to 72% in 2025, which is a strong sign that Seattle trusted him more as the year went on.

The biggest thing fantasy managers need to know is that Barner should still have a role, but his ceiling may be capped by the Seahawks’ passing environment and the presence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who handled a massive 35.8% target share last season. Seattle also did not add any major pass-catchers this offseason, which helps Barner’s case, but reports note that second-year tight end Elijah Arroyo could take on a larger share of the receiving work in 2026.

There is also a health note to watch: Barner said he underwent two surgeries after the 2025 season, but he is expected to be ready for training camp. That is encouraging, especially because he had been on the injury report for much of last year, and it lowers the immediate concern for his 2026 availability.

For fantasy purposes, Barner looks like a midrange to low-end TE2 who can be started in favorable matchups and especially if Seattle’s passing volume rises. His 2025 efficiency and touchdown production make him appealing, but the target volume is not high enough yet to treat him as a locked-in every-week starter, so he fits best as a solid depth tight end with some weekly scoring upside.

Updated 06/08/2026