In 2023, the New York Giants had some concerns about the tight end position. Daniel Waller was a pleasant surprise for the team in 2022 after they acquired him from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick.
But the Giants decided to stick with Lawrence Cager as their only backup tight end and capitalize on Waller’s versatility as a receiving end. Given their blocking issues from the previous season, the Giants may try to add a second “complete” tight end to their roster.
If so, AJ Barner of Michigan might be a sleeper to keep an eye on for the 2019 draft. Prior to going to Michigan for his final season, Barner played his first three years of college ball at Indiana.
A typical “pro style” tight end prospect is Barner. At six feet six inches and 250 pounds, he possesses a classic physique with good length, mass, and athletic upside. He can line up anywhere in the offensive formation, from fullback to wide receiver, although his typical alignment was as an attached or in-line tight end.
During his collegiate career, Barner has participated in 40 games. Prior to the 2023 season, he transferred from the University of Indiana to Michigan. He became the Wolverines’ go-to player and secret weapon in the running game as soon as possible, helping them win the National Championship. Quite simply, Barner is a superior run and pass blocker who outperforms a lot of offensive
Although Barner has the potential to be a “complete” tight end, he’ll probably need to work on his receiving in order to get an NFL starting position. Although Barner isn’t a very poor receiver, there are some obvious flaws in his pass-catching technique.
Most importantly, he can allow the ball to enter his chest because he doesn’t fully utilize his length to attack it in the air. Similarly, when he has to make extremely difficult catches on balls that aren’t in the right spots, his hands can get a little shaky. This might just be the product of him being a blocker at Michigan and Indiana, and he might get better under NFL coaching. But these days, it stands out because tight ends are commonly utilized as
For most teams, AJ Barner projects as a solid “number two” tight end with the potential to start at tight end with little refinement. With his classic “Pro Style” frame and quickness to support a run-heavy assault, he can help in today’s passing game. For Barner to realize his full potential as an NFL player, he must either become more reliable or more improved as a receiver. Nevertheless, his blocking and competitive intensity make him an instant asset to most teams.Indeed. Barner has the potential to become a “complete” tight end who can play at all downs and distances, solidifying his spot as the Giants’ tight end.
