AJ Barner or Durham Smythe: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 4 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Start Barner — Smythe is ruled out.

Durham Smythe is ruled out, which settles it: AJ Barner is the only startable side of this call. Barner projects 8.4 PPR points.

AJ Barner

AJ Barner

TE25SEAvs LAC

Projected Points

Toss-Up· low
Durham Smythe

Durham Smythe

TEBALvs TEN

Projected Points

OUT — verdict voidSit

AJ Barner’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
+129 / -165
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 30.5
-113 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+270
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Durham Smythe’s market

ATD
Anytime TD
+1100
Anytime Touchdown Props →
LAC@
SEASun, Oct 4, 4:25 PM ETView the game →
TEN@
BALSun, Oct 4, 1:00 PM ETView the game →

Why AJ Barner

Toss-Up· low

TE1 with dual-role value. Willing blocker who emerged as a red-zone target with six TDs on 52 catches.

86% snap share and a 24.3 implied total support him, but TE25 at 8.4 PPR sits below a typical 12-team TE1 option.

  • LAC ranks 15 of 32 against TEs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 3-game sample).
  • Vegas implies 24.3 team points as 3.0-point favorites.
  • Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 86% snap share.

The call

  • Role is the selling point. An 86% snap share over 3 games keeps him on the field, and a 13% target share is a usable floor at a thin position.
  • Game environment is solid. A 24.3 implied total as a 3.0-point favorite points to scoring chances, which matters for a TE whose ceiling depends on touchdowns.
  • The matchup is neutral, not a boost. LAC ranks 15 of 32 in DvP, and with a 3-game sample at 0.25 confidence it shouldn't move the needle either way.
  • His TE25 consensus rank is why this isn't a clean start despite the house start-lean. In a 12-team league the typical starting TE ranks higher. He's a fine streamer if your starter is out or on bye, but don't bench an established TE1 for his 8.4 projection.

Why Durham Smythe

Sit

TE2 in blocking role. Veteran in-line presence, minimal target share.

Ruled out — verdict void; pivot to your bench.

  • Currently ruled out — not a viable start until his status changes.
  • TEN ranks 5 of 32 against TEs (one of the tougher matchups, 3-game sample).
  • Vegas implies 28.0 team points as 8.5-point favorites.
  • Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 59% snap share.

Latest on Smythe

Status

Durham Smythe was upgraded to full practice participation Thursday after being limited Wednesday with a heel injury.

Yahoo Sports · Oct 2, 2026

Head-to-head stats

MetricAJ BarnerDurham Smythe
Projected points
Consensus rankTE25—
Opponent vs positionLAC · 15 of 323-game sampleTEN · 5 of 323-game sample
Receptions17 of 326 of 32
Receiving Yards20 of 321 of 32
Receiving TDs10 of 321 of 32
Targets18 of 326 of 32
Anytime TD9 of 329 of 32
Target share13%3%
Reception share12%2%
Implied total · spread24.3-3.028.0-8.5
Depth chartTE1TE2
Snap share86%59%
Injury designation—out
Start/Sit record0–0+1 toss-up—

Recent form

AJ Barner — last 3 weeks

Week 3vs WSH
Week 2vs ARI
Week 1vs NE

Durham Smythe — last 3 weeks

Week 3vs DAL
Week 2vs NO
Week 1vs IND

Signal breakdown

  • 8.4 vs 1.4 projected PPR pointsAJ Barner +
  • Consensus position rankeven
  • Opponent DvP rank 15 vs 5 (32 = softest)AJ Barner +
  • Implied 24.3 vs 28.0 team pointsDurham Smythe +
  • A ruled-out player cannot be a startAJ Barner +
  • 86% vs 59% snap shareAJ Barner +

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