Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

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

AJ Barner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.1 PPG to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

AJ Barner is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, AJ Barner and Tyler Higbee are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-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

TELos Angeles Rams#25

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

AJ Barner

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

7.1 PPG6.5 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

AJ Barner: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #22 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, AJ Barner is producing at 32% of elite pace and Tyler Higbee at 30%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

AJ Barner vs Tyler Higbee: 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 Tyler Higbee clocked in at 6.5 across 9 appearances for the Los Angeles Rams. A 0.6-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 Tyler Higbee profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 25 catches). In weeks where Tyler Higbee finds the end zone he out-scores AJ Barner, but the floor gap is real.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

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 Higbee (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•AJ Barner outscored Tyler Higbee by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•AJ Barner played 17 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee'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.
•AJ Barner is 9 years younger than Tyler Higbee (24 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

AJ Barner vs Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	AJ Barner	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.1	6.5
Games Played	17	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	59
Receptions	52	25
Rec/Game	3.1	2.8
Receiving Yards	519	281
Rec Yds/Game	30.5	31.2
Receiving TDs	6	3
Targets	68	36
Target Share/Game	4.0	4.0
Age	24	33
Experience	1 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor AJ Barner at 7.1 PPG, 0.6 points per game above Tyler Higbee's 6.5. 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on 2025 season averages, AJ Barner has the edge at 7.1 PPG compared to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 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 Higbee average in 2025?▾

AJ Barner averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

Do AJ Barner and Tyler Higbee share a bye week?▾

Yes, both AJ Barner and Tyler Higbee share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

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

AJ Barner outscored Tyler Higbee by 0.6 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.