AJ Barner vs Brenton Strange: Who Should You Start?
AJ Barner (7.1 PPG) and Brenton Strange (7.9 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. AJ Barner played 17 games for the Seattle Seahawks; Brenton Strange suited up 12 times for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
A 0.8-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.
Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. AJ Barner had 52 catches for 519 yards; Brenton Strange posted 46 for 540. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: AJ Barner sits Week 10 while Brenton Strange is off Week 12. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
