Seahawks rookie AJ Barner might be the key to a Seattle victory over the Falcons

AJ Barner might be asked to do during Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons what he excelled at when he played for the University of Michigan last season. The Seattle Seahawks rookie tight end was not needed to catch a lot of passes for the Wolverines - he had just 22 catches - but he was tasked with opening holes for Michigan's running game as Barner was basically a glorified offensive lineman.

Seattle has a major injury issue happening at right tackle this season. Presumed starter Abraham Lucas still has not played, and there is no timeline for his return. Second-string tackle George Fant was hurt in Week 1 and has not played since. Third-string Stone Forsythe has been ruled out of Week 7 with a hand injury. Fourth-string Michael Jerrell will start against the Falcons.

This probably means that offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb is going to go with a lot of two tight end sets in order to help out the right side of the line. Barner rarely plays off the line, both with Seattle and in college, so lining up next to Jerrell will be a natural spot for him. This will also allow him to have some sneaky releases where quarterback Geno Smith can hit Barner underneath.

AJ Barner could be a key factor in the Seahawks getting a victory against the Falcons in Week 7

The tight end has only been targeted seven times this season so far, but he has caught every one of them. One was for a touchdown. Six went for first downs. In other words, when Barner does catch a pass, it turns into a positive.

Barner has also become Seattle's preference in terms of TE2. Noah Fant is going to get the most snaps and targets among the tight end group, and he should. He has the potential to be an excellent receiver. But Fant is not the kind of blocker that Barner or veteran Pharaoh Brown is. Barner is stealing reps from Brown, however.

In the last three games, Brown has just 21 total snaps. He only got two in Week 5. Barner, though, has gotten 74 snaps in the last three games. This is likely due to Barner settling into his role extremely well after a slightly rough first two games. He hasn't allowed a quarterback pressure when he has stayed in to block when Geno Smith drops back, and Barner has greatly improved as a run-blocker.

This is where his real value might lie against the Falcons. Due to the presumed number of two tight end sets Seattle will use to protect Jerrell and, therefore, Geno Smith, the Seahawks are likely to run the ball a bit more. If Barner is able to open a hole or two for Kenneth Walker III, that might be all that Walker needs to break off a long run. Perhaps, a game-changing run.

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