Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

AJ Barner vs Hunter HenryWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Hunter Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.8 PPG to AJ Barner's 7.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Hunter Henry is the better fantasy play this season.

Hunter Henry is the better play on a neutral week. 8.8 PPG with 768 yards gives a reliable baseline. AJ Barner at 7.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Hunter Henry higher, but do not fade AJ Barner entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TESeattle Seahawks#22

AJ Barner

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

519

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TENew England Patriots#13PPG LEADER

Hunter Henry

PPG

8.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

768

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

AJ Barner

Hunter Henry

Head to Head

7.1 PPG8.8 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

AJ Barner: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #22 at the position). Hunter Henry: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #13 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, AJ Barner is producing at 32% of elite pace and Hunter Henry at 40%. That ranking gap means Hunter Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

AJ Barner vs Hunter Henry: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between AJ Barner and Hunter Henry is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Seattle Seahawks tight end put up 7.1 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Hunter Henry of the New England Patriots averaged 8.8 in 17. A 1.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.7 points favors Hunter Henry, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. AJ Barner had 52 catches for 519 yards; Hunter Henry posted 60 for 768. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: AJ Barner (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Hunter Henry (age 31) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Hunter Henry outscored AJ Barner by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•AJ Barner scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Hunter Henry saw 87 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•AJ Barner is 7 years younger than Hunter Henry (24 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

AJ Barner vs Hunter Henry: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	AJ Barner	Hunter Henry
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.1	8.8
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	150
Receptions	52	60
Rec/Game	3.1	3.5
Receiving Yards	519	768
Rec Yds/Game	30.5	45.2
Receiving TDs	6	7
Targets	68	87
Target Share/Game	4.0	5.1
Age	24	31
Experience	1 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

8.8 PPG for Hunter Henry versus 7.1 for AJ Barner in 2025. The baseline favors Hunter Henry, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start AJ Barner or Hunter Henry in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Hunter Henry has the edge at 8.8 PPG compared to AJ Barner's 7.1 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 Hunter Henry average in 2025?▾

AJ Barner averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Hunter Henry averaged 8.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

Do AJ Barner and Hunter Henry share a bye week?▾

Yes, both AJ Barner and Hunter Henry share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is AJ Barner or Hunter Henry a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Hunter Henry outscored AJ Barner by 1.7 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.