Seahawks TE AJ Barner posted a solid 5-69 receiving line on 9 targets in Sunday's loss to Washington. That ranked him second on the team in targets and receiving yards for the game and tied him for second in receptions (with RB George Holani). WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba once again dominated the receiving with 10 catches for 128 yards and 2 TDs on 14 targets.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact
Barner had a pair of offseason surgeries and faced the prospect of second-year TE Elijah Arroyo potentially growing his role in 2026.
Neither of those factors has impacted Barner so far. He has played 80% or more of the snaps in each game, including a high of 91% Sunday against the Commanders. Arroyo, meanwhile, has yet to eclipse a 27% snap share this season and has seen 1 total target.
Barner garnered just 3 targets across the first two contests but has run the second-most pass routes on the team:
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba 93
- Barner 76
- Cooper Kupp 70
- Rashid Shaheed 65
- No one else with more than 32 (Arroyo)
Barner similarly had flashes last season but posted just four games with 4+ catches. He's not an every-week fantasy option, but there's upside for deeper leagues and matchups in which you see shootout potential.
Plays like his 32-yard catch-and-run late in the first quarter against Washington also won't hurt his chances of getting opportuinties.
