Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

AJ Barner vs Colby ParkinsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.7 PPG to AJ Barner's 7.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Colby Parkinson and AJ Barner 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#22

AJ Barner

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

519

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TELos Angeles Rams#21PPG LEADER

Colby Parkinson

PPG

7.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

408

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

AJ Barner

Colby Parkinson

Head to Head

7.1 PPG7.7 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

AJ Barner: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #22 at the position). Colby Parkinson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #21 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, AJ Barner is producing at 32% of elite pace and Colby Parkinson at 35%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

AJ Barner vs Colby Parkinson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between AJ Barner and Colby Parkinson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.6 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. AJ Barner averaged 7.1 PPG with the Seattle Seahawks across 17 games, and Colby Parkinson posted 7.7 with the Los Angeles Rams in 14.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. AJ Barner had 52 catches for 519 yards; Colby Parkinson posted 43 for 408. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

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

Did You Know?

•Colby Parkinson outscored AJ Barner by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•AJ Barner played 17 games in 2025 compared to Colby Parkinson's 14. That durability gap means AJ Barner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Colby Parkinson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 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.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

AJ Barner vs Colby Parkinson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	AJ Barner	Colby Parkinson
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.1	7.7
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	108
Receptions	52	43
Rec/Game	3.1	3.1
Receiving Yards	519	408
Rec Yds/Game	30.5	29.1
Receiving TDs	6	8
Targets	68	56
Target Share/Game	4.0	4.0
Age	24	27
Experience	1 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

7.7 PPG for Colby Parkinson versus 7.1 for AJ Barner in 2025. The baseline favors Colby Parkinson, 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 Colby Parkinson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Colby Parkinson has the edge at 7.7 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 Colby Parkinson average in 2025?▾

AJ Barner averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

Do AJ Barner and Colby Parkinson share a bye week?▾

Yes, both AJ Barner and Colby Parkinson 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 Colby Parkinson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Colby Parkinson outscored AJ Barner 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.