yahoo
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner has some strides to take to be considered a top 10 tight end in the NFL, but he may not be far from garnering that recognition based off of the way that he played last season.
Barner was left off of ESPNs top 10 NFL tight ends list this year after having a quality season in 2025.
The Michigan product went for 519 receiving yards last season, which ranked No.
20 overall at the position, and scored six REC touchdowns last season.
While his receiving yards output was lower than several of his peers, he ranked fourth at the position in REC TDs, and behind seven tight ends who scored more, playing in a run-heavy offense that also featured 2025 AP Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was one of only five players to see at least 160 targets thrown their way last season with 163.
Barner has much promise, but making the top 10 may be a year away for him.
The presence of Rashid Shaheed in Seattle will keep Barner in a 2A and 2B situation as the second-most targeted receiver in Seattle next season, or relegate him to being the third option in the passing attack.
However, the Seahawks may also resort to the passing game more once the season kicks off, in the event that Zach Charbonnet starts the year on the shelf, which may present Barner with more opportunities to put up numbers.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks star AJ Barner snubbed from ESPNs Top 10 TE list.