AJ Barner TE Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
AJ Barner TE Michigan
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Inline Multi-Role TE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 03/13/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.84 seconds (34%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Inline Multi-Role TE | |
Last Updated: 03/13/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2024 | |
40 time: 4.84 seconds (34%*) | |
Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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Overall Rating: | 80.4 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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75% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 94.8 | |
Hands: |
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71% |
Short Receiving: |
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72% |
Intermediate Routes: |
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78% |
Deep Threat: |
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70% |
Blocking: |
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63% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#169
Position rank:
#8
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College Games: 39 College Snaps: 1513 | ||
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Josh Whyle - Cincinnati |
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95% |
Cole Turner - Nevada |
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94% |
Cade Otton - Washington |
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86% |
Draft Profile: Bio
AJ Barner from Aurora High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Barner opted to join Indiana.In 2020 as a freshman Barner saw action in 5 games for the Hoosiers as he made no receptions for no yards for an average of 0.0 yards per reception, with no TDs, and just QB rating when targeted of 39.6.
As a sophomore in 2021 he played 12 games and had just 14 catches for 162 yards for an average of 11.6 yards per catch, with one TD, and QB rating when targeted of 82.0. In pass protection he gave up one pressure and no sacks.
As a junior in 2022 he played 10 games and hauled in 28 catches for 199 yards for an average of 7.1 yards per catch, with 3 TDs, and QB rating when targeted of 85.3. As a pass blocker he gave up 3 pressures and no sacks.
After the end of the season Barner transferred to Michigan where as a senior in 2023 he played 13 games and had 22 catches for 249 yards for an average of 11.3 yards per catch, one TD, and an excellent QB rating when targeted of 112.6. In pass protection he gave up 2 pressures and no sacks.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Knee-bend and technique are good and Barner shows decent power when his hands hit the target.
- Barner accelerates quickly and possesses good straight-line speed. He shows solid ball-tracking skills and body control downfield, able to adjust to the off-target throw.
- Above-average acceleration for a big man.
- Good body control to reach back for the pass behind him. High-points passes and has good vertical, timing and hand-eye coordination in jump-ball situations.
- His long arms allow him to play bigger than his size, and he has a frame that can carry a little more weight.
- Has the burst off the snap to be split out wide in the NFL
- Barner fights his way off the line of scrimmage against press coverage, showing quick, violent hands and good balance.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Is a bit high-hipped and slow to get rolling. Frame limits upside as a blocker.
- He’ll have to develop a better feel for sitting down against zone coverage.
- His playing speed is less than elite. Barner won’t run past defenders like Barner did at the college level.
AJ Barner percentiles vs other Tight Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate AJ Barner (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
187.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
14.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.