Barner might be flying under the radar, but he could be an impactful piece to an NFL roster.
Tight end AJ Barner transferred from Indiana to Michigan last offseason and was an excellent TE2 for the Wolverines. Barner hauled in 22 receptions for 249 yards with one touchdown for Michigan and finished his collegiate career with 64 receptions for 610 yards and five touchdowns.
Here’s Barner’s scouting report.
The Basics
- Age: 21
- Height: 6’6”
- Weight: 251
Strengths
- A leader. Barner was a captain at Indiana in 2022
- Above-average speed at the tight end position
- Great size at 6-foot-6
- Asserted himself as one of the best blocking tight ends in the nation
- Was a go-to security blanket on checkdowns and on third down
- Abilities as a pass catcher are better than what his stats indicate
Weaknesses
- Was just a TE2 at Michigan
- Averaged just 7.1 yards per reception in 2022 at Indiana
- Good lateral running abilities but whether he can gain separation consistently vertically remains to be seen
Do Your Homework
Barner gets open on a busted play
TE AJ Barner
He is the best blocking TE in the draft, but he can also make some good receptions.
He lacks explosiveness but he has a good speed for his size and a solid IQ.In a run-heavy attack, he could be a solid n2 option with a strong contribution on the ground game. pic.twitter.com/oWH9NvQj2q
— Valentin (@ScoutValentin) March 3, 2024
Barner finds the soft spot and scores
Real simple waggle/bootleg PAP here for #Wolverines QB JJ McCarthy on a levels concept that he finds AJ Barner on for a TD
Nothing too extraordinary about the rep other than it’s a good display of McCarthy’s mobility to get out on the edge and read/throw across his body#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/r5McLgAlMC
— Jordan Silveira (@JordanTSilveira) March 6, 2024
Barner with a heck of a block
AJ Barner (89) can freaking block. He uses a good gallop to knock the 5-tech over, hitting him in the sweet spot, and then effortlessly climbing to the second level. He does a good job of keeping his feet running through contact and fighting to the end of the play. pic.twitter.com/Sewdh5OsiO
— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 5, 2024
Barner runs the gauntlet
AJ Barner Gauntlet#NFLCombine2024 pic.twitter.com/uf3MpfwLNT
— WalkTheMock (@WalkTheMock) March 2, 2024
What They Are Saying
Barner evaluates his blocking abilities
#Michigan TE AJ Barner says he “Is the best blocking Tight End in the country.” pic.twitter.com/s14jbxboRw
— ᴄᴏᴅʏ ᴄᴀʀᴘᴇɴᴛɪᴇʀ (@CodyCarpentier) February 29, 2024
Jim Harbaugh said the same about Barner’s blocking abilities back in October
“AJ Barner was already a really great blocker and now he’s an elite — I think he’s the best in the country blocking from the tight end position.”
What NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein is hearing
“Scouts say he attacks practices and weight training with a single-minded obsession to get better and compete.”
Conclusion
NFL teams love drafting tight ends from Michigan because of their well-roundedness and being part of a pro-style scheme. For example, the Dallas Cowboys drafted Michigan’s Luke Schoonmaker in the second round with the No. 58 overall pick. Barner is arguably a better blocking tight end than Schoonmaker and may develop into every bit as good of a receiving option as him as well. Schoonmaker averaged 11.8 yards per reception at Michigan, and Barner averaged 11.3. While Barner won’t be going in the second round, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him drafted as early as the third round but Barner lasting beyond the fourth round would be a surprise. NFL teams will fall in love with his blocking prowess and see that he has potential as a receiving option. Barner could have a long and productive career as a TE2 in the NFL.