Three things to know about Seahawks fourth-round pick AJ Barner

With pick 121 of the 2024 NFL draft, the Seahawks selected tight end AJ Barner of Michigan. Here are three things to know about Barner.

Drafted: Fourth round, 21st pick (121st overall)

Height: 6-6

Weight: 251

Birthday: May 3, 2002

Hometown: Aurora, Ohio

Here are three things to know about AJ Barner.

• Barner began his career with three years at Indiana, where he played the 2020-21 seasons with former UW QB Michael Penix, Jr. He played 30 games there with 11 starts and was a team captain at Indiana as voted by teammates before transferring to Michigan for the 2023 season. He started seven games for Michigan last season with 22 receptions for 249 yards and one touchdown as the Wolverines won the national title.
• Barner said he played on every special team last year at Michigan, where the special teams coach was Jay Harbaugh, who now holds the same title with the Seahawks. Jay is the son of Jim Harbaugh, who left Michigan after last season and is now the head coach of the Chargers.
• Barner figures to compete for the third tight end spot with the Seahawks with Brady Russell and Tyler Mabry behind veterans Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown. Barner comes with the tag of being more of a blocking tight end after getting 162 snaps in line last year and 67 split out in the slot.

Quote to note:

“I’m a football player. If you ask me to go out there and catch 10 passes a game, I’ll go do that. If you go ask me to man up the C gap and be physical, I’ll go do that. If you ask me to play on every special team, I’ll go do that. I love strapping up the helmet. I love playing physical football, and this has been my dream since I’ve been a kid. So this is what I love to do.’’ — Barner

What the scouts say

“Barner has been a late bloomer throughout his football career, culminating in a career year in 2023. In 2022, he was slow off the line of scrimmage and in his routes. This past season showed a quicker, more explosive version of himself, though one that is still below average for the NFL.

“His calling card is blocking. His best work comes from an inline or wingback position, where he can push people around. He takes pride in his blocking, as he’s constantly looking for work and has excellent grip and core strength to maintain blocks. He can erase secondary players near the line of scrimmage, and he can even push defensive ends around, at times’’ — Pro Football Focus.