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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Darnell Washington vs Dawson KnoxWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Dawson Knox over Darnell Washington in 2026.

Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 PPG in 2025 to Darnell Washington's 4.5, a 0.9 point per game edge. Knox also stayed healthier, playing 16 games to 13, which steadies his weekly floor. Both land in Tier 4 at the position, so this is closer than the raw gap suggests.

The Bottom Line

This one is genuinely close. Dawson Knox edges Darnell Washington by 0.9 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Dawson Knox goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEPittsburgh Steelers#38
Darnell Washington
PPG
4.5
Games
13
Rec
31
Rec Yds
364
Rec TDs
1
Targets
43
Bye
Week 9
TEBuffalo Bills#33PPG LEADER
Dawson Knox
PPG
5.4
Games
16
Rec
36
Rec Yds
417
Rec TDs
4
Targets
49
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Darnell Washington
Dawson Knox

Head to Head

4.5 PPG5.4 PPG
13 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 4 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and Dawson Knox at 25%. That ranking gap means Dawson Knox carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darnell Washington vs Dawson Knox: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Darnell Washington and Dawson Knox is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.9 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 PPG with the Pittsburgh Steelers across 13 games, and Dawson Knox posted 5.4 with the Buffalo Bills in 16.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Darnell Washington had 31 catches for 364 yards; Dawson Knox posted 36 for 417. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Darnell Washington has his bye in Week 9, and Dawson Knox rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Darnell Washington (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Dawson Knox (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Dawson Knox outscored Darnell Washington by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Dawson Knox played 16 games in 2025 compared to Darnell Washington's 13. That durability gap means Dawson Knox contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Dawson Knox scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Dawson Knox saw 49 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
  • Darnell Washington is 5 years younger than Dawson Knox (24 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darnell Washington vs Dawson Knox: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDarnell WashingtonDawson Knox
PPG (Half-PPR)4.55.4
Games Played1316
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)5986
Receptions3136
Rec/Game2.42.3
Receiving Yards364417
Rec Yds/Game28.026.1
Receiving TDs14
Targets4349
Target Share/Game3.33.1
Age2429
Experience2 yrs6 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 9Week 7

Summary

Dawson Knox outscored Darnell Washington by 0.9 PPG in 2025 (5.4 to 4.5). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Darnell Washington or Dawson Knox in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Dawson Knox has the edge at 5.4 PPG compared to Darnell Washington's 4.5 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Darnell Washington and Dawson Knox average in 2025?

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are Darnell Washington and Dawson Knox's bye weeks in 2026?

Darnell Washington (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Dawson Knox (BUF) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darnell Washington or Dawson Knox a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Dawson Knox outscored Darnell Washington by 0.9 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.