.@BenjaminSolak thinks Seahawks TE AJ Barner could have a breakout season: “We somehow made it through the entire Seahawks Super Bowl run without calling Barner what he is: a rising top-10 TE.” “Barner really is a discount George Kittle.”

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PositiveMatchupJul 3, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Football - Josh & Hayden

The new Seahawks offensive coordinator comes from the San Francisco 49ers, a team known for utilizing tight ends effectively (Kyle Youchecks, George Kittle, Tonga), suggesting Barner could benefit from similar scheme utilization.

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PositiveRoleJul 3, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Football - Josh & Hayden

Already had a strong skill set as a run blocker coming into the league, functioning like a sixth offensive lineman, with his receiving game growing each year and potentially taking another leap in year three.

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PositiveProjectionJul 3, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Football - Josh & Hayden

Scored five of six touchdowns in the red zone last year; the Seahawks were seventh in red zone drives per game, providing consistent scoring opportunities.

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PositiveRoleJul 3, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Football - Josh & Hayden

One of the most underrated tight ends in the league; the Seahawks run 21 and 12 personnel 58% of the time, and Barner will be on the field for those snaps alongside either Arroyo or Oots.

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PositiveSleeperJul 3, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Football - Josh & Hayden

A true sleeper with potential to finish as a low-end tight end one; played 95% snaps in the Super Bowl and 90% in the conference championship, demonstrating he's a full-time player when it matters.

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PositiveSleeperJul 3, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Football - Josh & Hayden

A.J. Barner, 24, is identified as a true sleeper for the Seahawks who could finish as a low-end tight end one and played 95% of snaps in the Super Bowl.

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PositiveRoleJul 3, 2026Davis Mattek

The analyst decides to take AJ Barner as part of a double stack with quarterbacks, indicating confidence in his role.

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PositiveRoleJun 26, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

ESPN's Bill Barnwell refers to AJ Barner as 'a nice pair of hands,' offering a modest assessment of his role in the Seahawks offense.

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PositiveSleeperJun 24, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Forecast

AJ Barner is discussed as a candidate for 'This year's Tucker Kraft'—a tight end currently going outside the top 10 in drafts with potential to finish as a top-5 TE in 2026.

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PositiveNewsJun 23, 202632BeatWriters

32BeatWriterson X

After watching a lot of what the Rams did in 2025, I began adding Charlie Kolar in deeper dynasty leagues in hopes that he would become their primary Y/H tight end. That would give him a lot of responsibility in many different looks. Think, this year's AJ Barner.

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PositiveValueJun 21, 2026Flock Fantasy

AJ Barner was identified as the more conventional pick at pick 181, with the drafter noting that experienced drafters would take him over Brandon Iuk.

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PositiveProjectionJun 17, 2026Ron Stewart

AJ Barner is heading into year three and was tight end 20 last year but was heavily used during the playoff run. The Steelers are projected to be a top 10 offense, and he's the analyst's most drafted tight end on Underdog.

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PositiveBreakoutJun 17, 2026Ron Stewart

AJ Barner is heading into year three and the source really likes him; the Steelers are projected to be a top 10 offense with no firm second target after JSN.

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PositiveValueJun 17, 2026Underdog Fantasy Football - Josh & Hayden

Hayden prefers AJ Barner as a late-round tight end option over Chigoziem Okonkwo, suggesting he offers better value in that range.

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PositiveRoleJun 9, 2026Underdog Fantasy Football - Josh & Hayden

Barner is teetering on being a top-10 tight end in the league overall and will likely be the primary tight end for Seattle, with Elijah Aroyo unable to displace him.

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PositiveSleeperJun 9, 2026Underdog Fantasy Football - Josh & Hayden

Barner is a late-round tight end target this year and is really good, with the Seattle depth chart up for grabs beyond JSN, making him a strong value pick.

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PositiveUsageMay 19, 2026Hayden Winks - PPR Rankings

AJ Barner (TE, SEA) is #141 overall in Hayden Winks' 2026 Half-PPR rankings vs. Underdog ADP 175.5 with a 113.4-point projection. Verdict: Barner is 2026's fantasy TE sleeper as a 24yo full-time Super Bowl champ. As a 23-year-old, Barner played 95% and 90% of the Seahawks snaps in the NFC Conference Championship and the Super Bowl. He's simply one of the best all-around, young TEs in the NFL. Barner enters his prime and targets are up for grabs beyond Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

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NegativeBustMay 6, 2026Flock Fantasy

Barner is grouped with other tight ends in this range that the analyst would not draft in regular redraft leagues, recommending they be left on the waiver wire.

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