Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Darren Waller vs Dawson KnoxWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Darren Waller is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Dawson Knox's 5.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Darren Waller is the better fantasy play this season.

Darren Waller is the better play on a neutral week. 9.6 PPG with 287 yards gives a reliable baseline. Dawson Knox at 5.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Darren Waller higher, but do not fade Dawson Knox entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TEMiami Dolphins#8PPG LEADER

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TEBuffalo Bills#33

Dawson Knox

PPG

5.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

417

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Darren Waller

Dawson Knox

Head to Head

9.6 PPG5.4 PPG

8 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darren Waller is producing at 44% of elite pace and Dawson Knox at 25%. That ranking gap means Darren Waller carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darren Waller vs Dawson Knox: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Darren Waller and Dawson Knox is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Miami Dolphins tight end put up 9.6 PPG in 2025 over 8 games; Dawson Knox of the Buffalo Bills averaged 5.4 in 16. A 4.2-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.2 points favors Darren Waller, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Darren Waller had 24 catches for 283 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.

One scheduling note: Darren Waller is off Week 6 and Dawson Knox Week 7. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Darren Waller is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Dawson Knox is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Dawson Knox (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Darren Waller outscored Dawson Knox by a projected 71 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dawson Knox played 16 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Dawson Knox contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Darren Waller scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 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.
•Dawson Knox is 4 years younger than Darren Waller (29 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darren Waller vs Dawson Knox: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darren Waller	Dawson Knox
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	5.4
Games Played	8	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	86
Receptions	24	36
Rec/Game	3.0	2.3
Receiving Yards	283	417
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	26.1
Receiving TDs	6	4
Targets	34	49
Target Share/Game	4.3	3.1
Age	33	29
Experience	10 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

9.6 PPG for Darren Waller versus 5.4 for Dawson Knox in 2025. The baseline favors Darren Waller, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Darren Waller or Dawson Knox in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Darren Waller has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Dawson Knox's 5.4 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 Darren Waller and Dawson Knox average in 2025?▾

Darren Waller averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 4.2 points per game.

When are Darren Waller and Dawson Knox's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Dawson Knox (BUF) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darren Waller or Dawson Knox a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Darren Waller outscored Dawson Knox by 4.2 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.