With the release of Noah Fant, the Seattle Seahawks' tight end landscape for 2025 is reshaped, placing Elijah Arroyo and AJ Barner in pivotal roles.
Elijah Arroyo is projected to be the starting tight end for the Seahawks. Drafted 50th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Arroyo's college performance—35 receptions, 590 yards, and 7 touchdowns—demonstrates his potential. His ability to rank 23rd in yards per route run and second in yards after the catch per reception highlights his dynamic playmaking skills. With a favorable strength of schedule (ranked 4th for tight ends), Arroyo is expected to be a key target behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, offering significant TE1 fantasy upside.
AJ Barner, entering his second season, is positioned as the No. 2 tight end. While he will see increased snaps, Barner is projected as a rotational player with limited target volume compared to Arroyo. His fantasy value lies in depth and spot-start potential, contingent on Arroyo's performance and health.
The Seahawks' 2025 offensive strategy, under new quarterback Sam Darnold, will likely feature a tight end rotation. However, Arroyo's draft capital and skill set position him as the primary beneficiary in both real-life and fantasy scenarios, making him a valuable target in dynasty and redraft leagues.
