The Seattle Seahawks made their choice in the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting Michigan tight end AJ Barner with the 121st overall pick in the fourth round on Saturday.
Barner became the Seahawks’ second selection in the fourth round, succeeding UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight, who was picked just four spots earlier at No. 118. Seattle secured the pick for Barner through a trade with the Denver Broncos earlier that morning.
Standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 251 pounds, Barner provides the Seattle Seahawks with essential depth at tight end, addressing a void created by the departure of two key players during the offseason. Colby Parkinson joined the Los Angeles Rams in free agency, while Will Dissly signed with the Los Angeles Chargers after being released by Seattle.
Before transferring to Michigan, Barner spent his initial three college seasons at Indiana. At Michigan, he earned starts in eight games for the national championship-winning Wolverines in the previous season. Hailing from Aurora, Ohio, at 21 years old, Barner primarily operates as an in-line tight end, emphasizing his prowess as a blocker over his abilities as a receiver.
During his time at Michigan last season, Barner recorded 22 receptions for 249 yards and one touchdown. Notably, he had a standout performance against Michigan State with eight catches for a career-best 99 yards and one touchdown. He ended the season tied for the team’s fourth-highest receiving yards and typically operated as the Wolverines’ secondary tight end behind Colston Loveland, who is considered a potential first-round pick in the 2025 draft.
Throughout his 25 games at Indiana, Barner amassed 42 catches for 361 yards and four
Barner is now part of the Seattle Seahawks’ tight end group alongside Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown. Fant, who agreed to a two-year, $21 million contract extension with the Seahawks in March, had a productive season last year with 32 receptions for 414 yards. He joined the Seahawks in a trade from Denver as part of the Russell Wilson deal. Meanwhile, Brown, a veteran of six years, spent last season with the New England Patriots before signing a one-year deal with Seattle in March.
During his time at Michigan, Barner contributed on special teams under the guidance of Jay Harbaugh, who is now the Seahawks’ special teams coordinator. Harbaugh previously held the same role at Michigan. Additionally, Seattle’s new head coach, Mike Macdonald, served as Michigan’s defensive coordinator in 2021, overlapping with Barner’s time at Indiana. In their matchup during that season, Barner made one catch for 4 yards in Indiana’s loss to Michigan.
Barner was the second of what was anticipated to be six draft selections for the Seahawks across the fourth to sixth rounds on Saturday.
