AJ Barner vs Trey McBride: Who Should You Start?
There is a real production gap between these two tight ends. Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals) averaged 14.9 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring AJ Barner (Seattle Seahawks, 7.1 PPG) by 7.8 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.
The per-game difference of 7.8 points favors Trey McBride, 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.
Trey McBride is the volume tight end in this matchup with 126 receptions for 1239 yards, while AJ Barner profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (6 scores on 52 catches). In weeks where AJ Barner finds the end zone he out-scores Trey McBride, but the floor gap is real.
One scheduling note: AJ Barner is off Week 10 and Trey McBride Week 11. 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.
