3 bold predictions for AJ Barner in Seahawks’ Week 9 game against the Rams

Those who have been following the rest of the NFC West know that the Los Angeles Rams just got their receiving threats back. The SoCal team feels somewhat rejuvenated after a tough start. Unfortunately, the Seattle Seahawks enter game prep against the division-rival Rams without some of their top playmakers. Both DK Metcalf (WR1) and Noah Fant (TE1) are set to miss Sunday's match, so the next wave must step up.

Last week, against the stingy Buffalo Bills, the longest catch of the day came from a tight end! That would be rookie AJ Barner catching a 20-yarder. Last week was National Tight Ends Day... which could bleed into Week 9 after coaches around the NFL (including in Seattle) saw what the mid-sizers can do. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett didn't exactly set the league on fire in Metcalf's absence.

When building the culture of this team, you know Mike Macdonald has got to love the attitude of a winner. Barner was already talking championships on his draft call with John Schneider.

Three bold predictions for Seahawks tight end AJ Barner in Week 9

Matthew Stafford will undoubtedly look to heat things up with his recently resurrected connections with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. This would also allow their young defense to pin their ears back and start rushing against Seattle's embattled offensive line.

If forced to keep up through the air, Geno Smith may rely on the tight end position more than usual. Russell Wilson notoriously did not incorporate tight ends often in his progressions, but that should change against the Rams. Their starting safeties are not game-changers (although backup rookie Kamren Kitchens could develop into that down the road), and that has left LA susceptible to the position.

Prediction 1: AJ Barner will score his second career touchdown

Metcalf being the big-bodies receiver that he is, is Seattle's usual top option in the red area. What will they do now that DK is missing? Surely not run the ball. Jokes aside, Barner and Jake Bobo could look to fill this role.

Barner scored his first career TD in a game back in Michigan (where he came out of college) against the Lions. He should be hungry for more and will look to score for his first time at Lumen Field.

Prediction 2: AJ will toss a monster block against a lineman or linebacker

This one may not even be so bold! All season, the rookie TE out of Indiana/Michigan has been getting dirty in the trenches. Barner has highlights of blocking against linebackers, defensive ends, and even defensive tackles at times. He was known as an elite blocking prospect entering the draft but his pass catching was not even factored in.

I see some of the young and inexperienced Rams defenders getting overwhelmed by Barner at some point. He'll look to get involved in some mean activities in the run game in a fashion in which Noah Fant would simply be too much of a nice guy to engage. In Week 9, AJ Barner will throw a block so nasty that the game analysts will take notice and mention it as a factor in a specific play on the field.

Prediction 3: Barner will be the second-leading Seattle pass catcher against the Rams

The Seahawks are reportedly looking at the possibility of a multi-week rest for the injured Noah Fant. If there was any time for AJ Barner to make a statement to show Seattle brass that he can be relied on for more responsibilities in the future, now would be one of those windows. He does have some all-around tools to work with.

He may not have blazing speed, but AJ has already made some tough and impressive catches. Some guys are just football players. Seahawks fans can only hope that at least one of Seattle's remaining wideouts can prove capable of being a standalone threat in the passing game. Along with that, a breakout from the TE position would be great against the team that has given up the third-most fantasy points to tight ends.

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