Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

AJ Barner vs Tyler ConklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Conklin is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.5 PPG to AJ Barner's 7.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Conklin is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Tyler Conklin and AJ Barner are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.4-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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track AJ Barner and Tyler Conklin in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TESeattle Seahawks#22

AJ Barner

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

519

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TENew York Jets#99PPG LEADER

Tyler Conklin

PPG

7.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

525

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

AJ Barner

Tyler Conklin

Head to Head

7.1 PPG7.5 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

AJ Barner: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #22 at the position). Tyler Conklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, AJ Barner is producing at 32% of elite pace and Tyler Conklin at 34%. That ranking gap means AJ Barner carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

AJ Barner vs Tyler Conklin: The Full Breakdown

AJ Barner (7.1 PPG) and Tyler Conklin (7.5 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; Tyler Conklin suited up 17 times for the New York Jets.

A 0.4-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; Tyler Conklin posted 50 for 525. 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 Tyler Conklin is off Week 12. 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. Tyler Conklin (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Conklin outscored AJ Barner by a projected 7 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.
•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 Tyler Conklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	AJ Barner	Tyler Conklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.1	7.5
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	128
Receptions	52	50
Rec/Game	3.1	2.9
Receiving Yards	519	525
Rec Yds/Game	30.5	30.9
Receiving TDs	6	3
Targets	68	65
Target Share/Game	4.0	3.8
Age	24	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Tyler Conklin at 7.5 PPG, 0.4 points per game above AJ Barner's 7.1. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on AJ Barner vs Tyler Conklin

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on AJ Barner vs Tyler Conklin

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start AJ Barner or Tyler Conklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Conklin has the edge at 7.5 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 Tyler Conklin average in 2025?▾

AJ Barner averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tyler Conklin averaged 7.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are AJ Barner and Tyler Conklin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

AJ Barner (SEA) has a bye in Week 11, and Tyler Conklin (NYJ) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is AJ Barner or Tyler Conklin a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tyler Conklin outscored AJ Barner by 0.4 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.