Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

AJ Barner vs Cade StoverWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

AJ Barner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.1 PPG to Cade Stover's 3.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

AJ Barner is the better fantasy play this season.

AJ Barner is the better play on a neutral week. 7.1 PPG with 533 yards gives a reliable baseline. Cade Stover at 3.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft AJ Barner higher, but do not fade Cade Stover entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TESeattle Seahawks#22PPG LEADER

AJ Barner

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

519

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TEHouston Texans#99

Cade Stover

PPG

3.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

215

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

AJ Barner

Cade Stover

Head to Head

7.1 PPG3.5 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

AJ Barner: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #22 at the position). Cade Stover: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, AJ Barner is producing at 32% of elite pace and Cade Stover at 16%. That ranking gap means AJ Barner carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

AJ Barner vs Cade Stover: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between AJ Barner and Cade Stover for your lineup, you are not alone. AJ Barner finished the 2025 season at 7.1 PPG for the Seattle Seahawks (17 games), and Cade Stover averaged 3.5 for the Houston Texans (15 games).

That 3.6-point weekly advantage for AJ Barner is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

AJ Barner is the volume tight end in this matchup with 52 receptions for 519 yards, while Cade Stover profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 22 catches). In weeks where Cade Stover finds the end zone he out-scores AJ Barner, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: AJ Barner sits Week 11 while Cade Stover is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

AJ Barner is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Cade Stover is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: AJ Barner (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Cade Stover (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•AJ Barner outscored Cade Stover by a projected 61 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•AJ Barner played 17 games in 2025 compared to Cade Stover's 15. That durability gap means AJ Barner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•AJ Barner scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•AJ Barner saw 68 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

AJ Barner vs Cade Stover: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	AJ Barner	Cade Stover
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.1	3.5
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	53
Receptions	52	22
Rec/Game	3.1	1.5
Receiving Yards	519	215
Rec Yds/Game	30.5	14.3
Receiving TDs	6	1
Targets	68	32
Target Share/Game	4.0	2.1
Age	24	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor AJ Barner at 7.1 PPG, 3.6 points per game above Cade Stover's 3.5. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start AJ Barner or Cade Stover in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, AJ Barner has the edge at 7.1 PPG compared to Cade Stover's 3.5 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did AJ Barner and Cade Stover average in 2025?▾

AJ Barner averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Cade Stover averaged 3.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.6 points per game.

When are AJ Barner and Cade Stover's bye weeks in 2026?▾

AJ Barner (SEA) has a bye in Week 11, and Cade Stover (HOU) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is AJ Barner or Cade Stover a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

AJ Barner outscored Cade Stover by 3.6 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.