By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Seahawks grab Michigan TE AJ Barner in the fourth round.

The Seahawks used their second pick in the fourth round ( 121st ) on former Michigan tight end AJ Barner. This was another solid need pick by the Seahawks.  Barner will join Noah Fant and  Pharaoh Brown in the Seahawks tight end. Barner has the size and speed with his catching ability as the only deficit according to some draft analysts.

SWITCHING COLLEGES

Barner played five years of college football. He spent four years at Indiana and one year at  Michigan as a graduate student.  As a graduate student on the national champion Michigan team Barner started seven of 15 games and recorded 22 receptions for 249 yards and one touchdown. Was a semi-finalist for the John Mackey Award and was an All-Big 10 honorable mention.  With an extra year of eligibility the opportunity to play for a National Championship contender was something  Barner could not pass up.

“It was a really tough decision. I’m a very loyal guy. I love my teammates and at the end of the day, I was a college athlete, and your eligibility is only so long. Michigan had an opportunity for me to go there and compete for a national championship. Like I said, I want to win championships. That made it the perfect fit for me.”

FAMILIARITY WITH SEAHAWKS COACHING STAFF

Playing  with the Wolverines provided Barner with an opportunity to know Seahawk’s current special teams coach Jay Harbaugh  

“Definitely a little bit. I had an opportunity to meet with the tight ends coach (Mack Brown). I know Coach Jay Harbaugh from Michigan. Coach Mike (Macdonald), I’ve heard a bunch of tremendous stuff about him. I know they play a physical brand of football.”

As for his role with the Seahawks Barner said that he will play anywhere the team wants him too.

“We haven’t got into that. My role is going to be playing tight end and that’s catching passes and blocking too, and also on special teams. Whatever I can do to help the team win, I’m all for it ,” said Barner.

OUTLOOK

Barner has the physical attributes to get on the field as a full-time special teams player and rotational tight end.  How much playing time he gets at tight end will be determined by his pass-catching ability.

Overview

Strengths

  • Dots defender’s frame with crisp under-hook punch.
  • Timing and athleticism to succeed with combo blocks.
  • Improved with foot chop and block finishing as run blocker.
  • Took time, but showed vast improvement in pass pro.
  • Provides quarterback a big target as zone-beater.
  • Smart scrambler to uncover for moving quarterback.

Weaknesses

  • Will base up the block rather than work it left or right.
  • Hasn’t learned to reset his hands for improved sustain.
  • Inconsistent locating his landmarks as zone blocker.
  • Heavy feet with limited range of influence as pass catcher.
  • Average success rate on contested catches.

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