Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

AJ Barner vs Pat FreiermuthWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

AJ Barner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.1 PPG to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

AJ Barner is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, AJ Barner and Pat Freiermuth are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.9-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

TEPittsburgh Steelers#28

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

AJ Barner

Pat Freiermuth

Head to Head

7.1 PPG6.2 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

AJ Barner: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #22 at the position). Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, AJ Barner is producing at 32% of elite pace and Pat Freiermuth at 28%. That ranking gap means AJ Barner carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

AJ Barner vs Pat Freiermuth: The Full Breakdown

AJ Barner (7.1 PPG) and Pat Freiermuth (6.2 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. AJ Barner played 17 games for the Seattle Seahawks; Pat Freiermuth suited up 15 times for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A 0.9-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. AJ Barner had 52 catches for 519 yards; Pat Freiermuth posted 41 for 486. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: AJ Barner sits Week 11 while Pat Freiermuth is off Week 9. 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

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. Pat Freiermuth (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•AJ Barner outscored Pat Freiermuth by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•AJ Barner played 17 games in 2025 compared to Pat Freiermuth'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 Pat Freiermuth: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	AJ Barner	Pat Freiermuth
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.1	6.2
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	93
Receptions	52	41
Rec/Game	3.1	2.7
Receiving Yards	519	486
Rec Yds/Game	30.5	32.4
Receiving TDs	6	4
Targets	68	54
Target Share/Game	4.0	3.6
Age	24	27
Experience	1 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 9

Summary

7.1 PPG for AJ Barner versus 6.2 for Pat Freiermuth in 2025. The baseline favors AJ Barner, 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 Pat Freiermuth in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, AJ Barner has the edge at 7.1 PPG compared to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 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 Pat Freiermuth average in 2025?▾

AJ Barner averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are AJ Barner and Pat Freiermuth's bye weeks in 2026?▾

AJ Barner (SEA) has a bye in Week 11, and Pat Freiermuth (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is AJ Barner or Pat Freiermuth a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

AJ Barner outscored Pat Freiermuth by 0.9 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.