Which Seattle Seahawks late-round draft pick is most likely to play?

The Seattle Seahawks traded up eight picks in last weekend's NFL Draft.

Seahawks '24 NFL Draft Breakdown: A look at all 8 Seattle picks

Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy, the Seahawks' top pick at No. 16 overall, is expected to be a key figure in new coach Mike Macdonald's defense. UConn guard Christian Haynes, a third-round pick, is expected to compete for a starting role on offense. UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight, a fourth-round pick, is a good candidate to see the field given Seattle's lack of depth at linebacker.

But who of the Seahawks' other five draft picks is most likely to get playing time as a rookie?

Former NFL receiver Michael Bumpus That question was asked on Seattle Sports' Bump and Stacy on Monday. He went with Michigan tight end AJ Burner, whom the Seahawks took in the fourth round at No. 121 overall.

“He’s a different kind of tight end,” Bumpus said. “He won’t impress you with speed. He will not overwhelm you with strength. He will do everything properly. He will block you. He will catch the football. He will be good in third-and-short situations. He is more smooth than explosive. He will make the difficult catch. He looks good in the film.

“You're not going to say, 'Oh my God, it's George Kittle, or oh my God, it's Travis Kelce.' No, he will play a role. He will be the No. 3 tight end. I think he'll make the team. AJ Barner will get some playing time.”

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Barner spent his first three college seasons at Indiana before transferring to Michigan, where he started eight games on the Wolverines' national championship team last season.

Barner tied for fourth most receiving yards in Michigan's offense last season, hauling in 22 catches for 249 yards and a touchdown. He was primarily the Wolverines' second tight end behind Colston Loveland, a potential 2025 first-round pick. In 25 games at Indiana, Barner had 42 catches for 361 yards and four touchdowns.

Barner gives the Seahawks much-needed depth after they lost two of their top three tight ends this offseason. Colby Parkinson signed with the Los Angeles Rams in free agency, while veteran Will Dissly signed with the Los Angeles Chargers after being released by Seattle.

In fact, Bumpus sees some of Dissly's abilities in Barner.

“He’ll be your Uncle Will Dissly,” Bumpus said earlier in the show. “He’s going to be the guy that’s a solid blocker and a solid receiver. … He has safe hands. Watch the film about this young man, he knows how to sit in the zone. He will make the difficult catch. Not very explosive. I won't impress you with his speed. But he’s a ballplayer.”

Barner will look to carve out a role on a Seahawks tight end team that includes Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown.

Fant, who signed a two-year, $21 million deal with Seattle in March, had 32 catches for 414 yards last year in his second season since arriving from Denver for Russell Wilson. Brown, a six-year veteran who signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks in March, had 13 catches for a career-high 208 yards and a TD last year with the New England Patriots. The only other tight ends currently on Seattle's roster are Tyler Mabry and Brady Russell, who have combined for one catch in their NFL careers.

Barner's special teams background could also prove valuable in gaining playing time. He played special teams at Michigan under the Seahawks' new special teams coordinator, Jay Harbaugh, who held the same position with the Wolverines.

“Normally the Seahawks will have three tight ends,” Bumpus said. “So far you have Noah Fant, who is your more elusive, big-time guy. They have Pharaoh Brown who can catch the football but is a good blocker. And then you have AJ Barner. … I think AJ Barner will make the team.”

Listen to Bump and Stacy's full conversation on Monday's podcast at this link or in the player at the top of this post. Bump and Stacy airs live on Seattle Sports weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More Seattle Seahawks draft reactions

• What UConn's Jim Mora says: OG Christian Haynes is coming to the Seahawks
• Why Huard is a big fan of the Seahawks' OL sixth-round draft pick
• AP NFL Draft grades: How did Seahawks and NFC West rivals fare?
• Rust: The Seahawks' future still relies heavily on previous draft classes
• What experts are saying about the Seattle Seahawks' draft class

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