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Head to Head

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Dawson Knox vs Pat FreiermuthWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Pat Freiermuth is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.2 PPG to Dawson Knox's 5.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Pat Freiermuth is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Pat Freiermuth edges Dawson Knox by 0.8 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, Pat Freiermuth 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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TEBuffalo Bills#33
Dawson Knox
PPG
5.4
Games
16
Rec
36
Rec Yds
417
Rec TDs
4
Targets
49
Bye
Week 7
TEPittsburgh Steelers#28PPG LEADER
Pat Freiermuth
PPG
6.2
Games
15
Rec
41
Rec Yds
486
Rec TDs
4
Targets
54
Bye
Week 9

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Dawson Knox
Pat Freiermuth

Head to Head

5.4 PPG6.2 PPG
16 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dawson Knox is producing at 25% of elite pace and Pat Freiermuth at 28%. That ranking gap means Pat Freiermuth carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dawson Knox vs Pat Freiermuth: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Dawson Knox and Pat Freiermuth is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.8 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 PPG with the Buffalo Bills across 16 games, and Pat Freiermuth posted 6.2 with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 15.

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. Dawson Knox had 36 catches for 417 yards; Pat Freiermuth posted 41 for 486. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Dawson Knox has his bye in Week 7, and Pat Freiermuth rests in Week 9. 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: Dawson Knox (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Pat Freiermuth (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Pat Freiermuth outscored Dawson Knox by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Dawson Knox played 16 games in 2025 compared to Pat Freiermuth's 15. 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.
  • Pat Freiermuth saw 54 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dawson Knox vs Pat Freiermuth: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDawson KnoxPat Freiermuth
PPG (Half-PPR)5.46.2
Games Played1615
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)8693
Receptions3641
Rec/Game2.32.7
Receiving Yards417486
Rec Yds/Game26.132.4
Receiving TDs44
Targets4954
Target Share/Game3.13.6
Age2927
Experience6 yrs4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 9

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Pat Freiermuth holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 6.2 points per game. Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dawson Knox or Pat Freiermuth in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Pat Freiermuth has the edge at 6.2 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 Dawson Knox and Pat Freiermuth average in 2025?

Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Dawson Knox and Pat Freiermuth's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is Dawson Knox or Pat Freiermuth a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Pat Freiermuth outscored Dawson Knox by 0.8 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.

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