AJBarner

News: 2 days agoBarner caught both of his targets for 13 yards in Wednesday's 13-10 win over the Patriots.

Spin: Barner was on the field for 44 of Seattle's 50 snaps on offense, so he remains firmly entrenched atop the tight end depth chart. He also had a short rushing gain from under center erased by an offensive offside penalty. Barner tied for second on the team in catches, as the Seahawks didn't get much production in the passing game from anyone other than Jaxson Smith-Njigba (eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown) in a game that saw starting QB Sam Darnold (hip) exit in the first quarter. Darnold is expected to sit out Week 2 against the Cardinals, in which case Drew Lock would draw the start under center.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Barner was a solid contributor for the Seattle offense last season. The 2024 fourth-round pick worked his way to the top of the depth chart, and although his overall volume was limited (20th among TEs in targets and yards), he found the end zone seven times and finished 14th in fantasy points (21st in PPG). The 24-year-old is a serviceable, short-range target for Sam Darnold, but even with some rushing worked in, his role in Seattle's low-volume passing offense won't allow much upside. In fact, it's possible he loses some targets to second-year TE Elijah Arroyo this season. Barner is a fringe TE2, at best.