AJ Barner vs Colby Parkinson: Who Should You Start?
The gap between AJ Barner and Colby Parkinson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.1 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. AJ Barner averaged 7.1 PPG with the Seattle Seahawks across 17 games, and Colby Parkinson posted 7.2 with the Los Angeles Rams in 15.
When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.
Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. AJ Barner had 52 catches for 519 yards; Colby Parkinson posted 43 for 408. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.
AJ Barner has his bye in Week 10, and Colby Parkinson rests in Week 6. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
