Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

AJ Barner vs Jake TongesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jake Tonges is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.5 PPG to AJ Barner's 7.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jake Tonges is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jake Tonges edges AJ Barner by 1.4 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Jake Tonges goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

TESan Francisco 49ers#15PPG LEADER

Jake Tonges

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

293

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

AJ Barner

Jake Tonges

Head to Head

7.1 PPG8.5 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

AJ Barner: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #22 at the position). Jake Tonges: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, AJ Barner is producing at 32% of elite pace and Jake Tonges at 39%. That ranking gap means Jake Tonges carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

AJ Barner vs Jake Tonges: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. AJ Barner finished the 2025 season at 7.1 PPG over 17 games with the Seattle Seahawks, while Jake Tonges clocked in at 8.5 across 9 appearances for the San Francisco 49ers. A 1.4-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

AJ Barner is the volume tight end in this matchup with 52 receptions for 519 yards, while Jake Tonges profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (5 scores on 34 catches). In weeks where Jake Tonges finds the end zone he out-scores AJ Barner, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: AJ Barner is off Week 11 and Jake Tonges Week 8. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Jake Tonges (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jake Tonges outscored AJ Barner by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•AJ Barner played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jake Tonges's 9. 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 Jake Tonges: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	AJ Barner	Jake Tonges
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.1	8.5
Games Played	17	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	77
Receptions	52	34
Rec/Game	3.1	3.8
Receiving Yards	519	293
Rec Yds/Game	30.5	32.6
Receiving TDs	6	5
Targets	68	46
Target Share/Game	4.0	5.1
Age	24	26
Experience	1 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jake Tonges holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.5 points per game. AJ Barner averaged 7.1 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start AJ Barner or Jake Tonges in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Tonges has the edge at 8.5 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 Jake Tonges average in 2025?▾

AJ Barner averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are AJ Barner and Jake Tonges's bye weeks in 2026?▾

AJ Barner (SEA) has a bye in Week 11, and Jake Tonges (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is AJ Barner or Jake Tonges a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jake Tonges outscored AJ Barner by 1.4 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.