Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

AJ Barner vs Mark AndrewsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

AJ Barner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.1 PPG to Mark Andrews's 6.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

AJ Barner is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. AJ Barner edges Mark Andrews by 0.8 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, AJ Barner 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#22PPG LEADER

AJ Barner

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

519

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TEBaltimore Ravens#27

Mark Andrews

PPG

6.3

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

422

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

AJ Barner

Mark Andrews

Head to Head

7.1 PPG6.3 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

AJ Barner: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #22 at the position). Mark Andrews: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, AJ Barner is producing at 32% of elite pace and Mark Andrews at 29%. That ranking gap means AJ Barner carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

AJ Barner vs Mark Andrews: The Full Breakdown

The gap between AJ Barner and Mark Andrews is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.8 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 Mark Andrews posted 6.3 with the Baltimore Ravens in 17.

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; Mark Andrews posted 48 for 422. 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 11, and Mark Andrews rests in Week 13. 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.

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. Mark Andrews (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•AJ Barner outscored Mark Andrews by a projected 14 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.
•Mark Andrews saw 70 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•AJ Barner is 6 years younger than Mark Andrews (24 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

AJ Barner vs Mark Andrews: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	AJ Barner	Mark Andrews
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.1	6.3
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	107
Receptions	52	48
Rec/Game	3.1	2.8
Receiving Yards	519	422
Rec Yds/Game	30.5	24.8
Receiving TDs	6	5
Targets	68	70
Target Share/Game	4.0	4.1
Age	24	30
Experience	1 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 13

Summary

Based on 2025 production, AJ Barner holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.1 points per game. Mark Andrews averaged 6.3 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 Mark Andrews in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, AJ Barner has the edge at 7.1 PPG compared to Mark Andrews's 6.3 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 Mark Andrews average in 2025?▾

AJ Barner averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Mark Andrews averaged 6.3 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are AJ Barner and Mark Andrews's bye weeks in 2026?▾

AJ Barner (SEA) has a bye in Week 11, and Mark Andrews (BAL) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is AJ Barner or Mark Andrews a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

AJ Barner outscored Mark Andrews by 0.8 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.