AJ Barner or Max Klare: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 1 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Start Barner — Klare is ruled out.
Max Klare is ruled out, which settles it: AJ Barner is the only startable side of this call. Barner projects 6.6 PPR points.
AJ Barner
TE25SEAvs NE
4.05.36.6 Projected Points
Toss-Up
Max Klare
TELARvs SF
0.40.50.6 Projected Points
OUT — verdict voidSit
Why AJ Barner
Toss-UpTE1 with dual-role value. Willing blocker who emerged as a red-zone target with six TDs on 52 catches.
Toss-up — TE25 consensus, projects TE27 this week: NE is the 1st-toughest matchup vs TEs, 24.0 implied team total.
- NE ranks 1 of 32 against TEs (one of the tougher matchups, 0-game sample).
- Vegas implies 24.0 team points as 3.5-point favorites.
- Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 88% snap share.
Latest on Barner
Role
Barner played 44 of 50 offensive snaps (88%) in Week 1 as Seattle's clear top tight end, with OC Brian Fleury using heavy tight end sets regularly.
Sports Illustrated (SI.com) · Sep 10, 2026Why Max Klare
SitRuled out — verdict void; pivot to your bench.
- Currently ruled out — not a viable start until his status changes.
- SF ranks 2 of 32 against TEs (one of the tougher matchups, 0-game sample).
- Vegas implies 25.8 team points as 3.0-point favorites.
- Listed TE on the latest depth chart.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | AJ Barner | Max Klare |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 4.05.36.6 | 0.40.50.6 |
| Consensus rank | TE25 | — |
| Opponent vs position | NE · 1 of 320-game sample | SF · 2 of 320-game sample |
| Receptions | 1 of 32 | 2 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 1 of 32 | 3 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | 1 of 32 | 1 of 32 |
| Targets | 1 of 32 | 3 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | 1 of 32 | 1 of 32 |
| Target share | 8% | — |
| Reception share | 12% | — |
| Implied total · spread | 24.0-3.5 | 25.8-3.0 |
| Depth chart | TE1 | TE5 |
| Snap share | 88% | — |
| Injury designation | — | O |
Signal breakdown
- 6.6 vs 0.6 projected PPR pointsAJ Barner +
- Consensus position rankeven
- Opponent DvP rank 1 vs 2 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 24.0 vs 25.8 team pointsMax Klare +
- A ruled-out player cannot be a startAJ Barner +
- Snap shareeven
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