AJ Barner Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Seahawks TE A.J. Barner is atop the depth chart right now, according to The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar. "Barner is currently the No. 1 tight end, and he’s looked very promising in practice," Dugar writes. "Feeling a bit miscast as a blocking tight end coming out of Michigan, Barner continues to show he’s a great athlete with soft hands and the ability to make big-time catches."

The Seahawks have released TE Noah Fant. He spent the past three years with the team after arriving from Denver in the 2022 Russell Wilson trade. Seattle exercised the option on Fant's rookie contract for 2023 and then signed him to a two-year, $21 million contract ahead of last season. The release frees up $9 million in non-guaranteed money under Seattle's 2025 salary cap.

Seahawks TE Noah Fant caught three balls for 26 yards in Sunday's win over the Jets. That marked his return after missing three games with a back injury.

Seahawks TE Noah Fant (groin) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Cardinals. That should mean another full-time role for TE A.J. Barner, who’s a viable replacement if you were hoping to use Fant today.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says "it'll be close" whether TE Noah Fant (groin) will be able to play against the Cardinals today. He was a full-go in Friday's practice but is listed as questionable. Seattle elevated TE Tyler Mabry from the practice squad on Saturday, suggesting concern about Fant's ability. We won't get Seattle's inactives until a little before 3 pm ET today, making this a situation to avoid in Week 12 fantasy lineups.

Seahawks TE Noah Fant (groin) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the 49ers. Rookie TE A.J. Barner replaced Fant as Seattle’s lead TE last time out, posting a 4-27-0 line on seven targets and an 86% route rate. He’d be a desperation season-long play but is a salary-saving option in DFS.

Seahawks TE Noah Fant (groin) did not practice on Wednesday. He missed Seattle's last game before the Week 10 bye and isn't looking like a great bet to make it back for this Sunday's game vs. the 49ers. Rookie TE A.J. Barner replaced Fant as the Seahawks' lead TE in Week 10, posting a 4-27-0 line on seven targets and an 86% route rate. He'd be in play as a cheap DFS flier if Fant is out again.

Seahawks TE Noah Fant (groin) is out for this weekend's game vs. the Rams. He appears to have been injured on Wednesday and didn't practice on Thursday or Friday. Fant's absence figures to give rookie A.J. Barner a crack at lead duties on Sunday. He's no more than a DFS tournament flier.

Seahawks TE Noah Fant rebounded in the wrong direction Monday night against the Lions. After 6 receptions for 60 yards in the Week 3 win over the Dolphins, he drew just 2 targets in the loss at Detroit. That's especially disappointing when you realize that QB Geno Smith attempted 56 passes on the night. Fellow TEs A.J. Barner and Pharaoh Brown matched Fant's 2 targets, and Barner caught Smith's lone TD pass in the game.

The Seahawks used a fourth-round pick on TE A.J. Barner from Michigan. Barner spent his first three college seasons at Indiana, finishing third on the 2022 squad with 28 catches and second with 3 TDs. He transferred to Michigan this past year and posted a career-best 249 yards on 22 grabs. Barner helped himself by earning an 8.70 Relative Athletic Score at the Combine. He’s a long 6’6, 251-pounder with an 88th-percentile wingspan, making him an inviting target. Barner is certainly a developmental prospect unlikely to make a 2024 fantasy impact, but there’s some longer-term pass-catching upside here. Check our rookie rankings at TE to see where Barner lands.