Dawson Knox

Career StatsD

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		103	229	2,694	27
2025		17	36	417	4
2024		16	22	311	1
2023		13

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Knox earns a C CVI on his three-year, $6.7M AAV extension with Buffalo, reflecting a reasonable price point for a veteran tight end who has settled into a dependable but unspectacular role. His D- performance grade aligns with his modest 2024 production of 417 receiving yards across 17 games, numbers that scream "solid starter" rather than dynamic weapon in an increasingly pass-heavy league. At $6.7M annually, Knox slots into the middle tier of the tight end market—a fair rate for a seven-year veteran with career totals of 229 catches and 2,694 yards, but hardly the contract you'd expect for a difference-maker in Buffalo's championship pursuit. The willingness to take a pay cut on this deal speaks to mutual organizational loyalty, though the muted media coverage around the extension reveals he's viewed more as depth insurance than a core offensive piece alongside Josh Allen. Knox's age-29 profile suggests he's entering the stable veteran phase of his career, where consistent availability and red-zone reliability matter more than explosive upside. The three-year term provides Buffalo with affordable continuity at the position without significant cap risk, though the modest AAV reflects realistic expectations for a player who operates well outside the elite tight end conversation.

Performance Analysis

Dawson Knox, a 2019 third-round pick out of Ole Miss, enters his seventh NFL season as a veteran presence in Buffalo's offense but has struggled to recapture his peak form. Graded at a D overall, Knox currently ranks well below the top tier of NFL tight ends by production standards. His declining trajectory — from an F in 2023 to a D- in 2024 to a D+ in 2025 — signals modest recovery, but he remains a fringe contributor at the position. The most encouraging sign this season is Knox's yards-per-reception mark of 11.6, which clears the NFL average of 10.1 and suggests he still wins as a receiver when targeted. The problem is volume: his 24.5 receiving yards per game trails the NFL average of 35.0 significantly, reflecting limited involvement in Buffalo's scheme. His 0.24 receiving touchdowns per game essentially mirrors the league average of 0.25, meaning red-zone productivity is there — opportunities simply are not. Knox's ceiling remains that of a complementary weapon rather than a focal point, and at 29, a dramatic usage surge seems unlikely. What to watch next season is whether the Bills expand his route tree or lean further into younger options at the position. If Knox maintains his efficiency while increasing his target share, a meaningful grade improvement is achievable — but the window is narrowing fast.

Current Sentiment

Dawson Knox enters the 2026 season with renewed organizational commitment after agreeing to a new three-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, a move that signals the franchise views him as a core piece of their offense going forward. The contract extension generated broadly positive media coverage, with analysts and reporters framing the signing as a stabilizing move for Buffalo's tight end room. Knox's career production — nearly 2,700 receiving yards over seven seasons — reflects a reliable, if unspectacular, contributor who has carved out a durable role in one of the AFC's premier offenses. Fan sentiment appears warm and supportive, buoyed by his longevity with the organization and the sense that he is a trusted locker-room presence, as evidenced by the feature coverage exploring his personal and professional mindset. Heading into 2026, Knox is broadly perceived as a dependable veteran starter rather than an elite playmaker, but the contract news has reinforced a positive narrative that should carry momentum into training camp.