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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Dawson Knox vs T.J. HockensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean T.J. Hockenson over Dawson Knox in 2026.

T.J. Hockenson (5.8 PPG) and Dawson Knox (5.4) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Both play tight ends, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit. 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. T.J. Hockenson edges Dawson Knox by 0.4 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, T.J. Hockenson 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
TEMinnesota Vikings#30PPG LEADER
T.J. Hockenson
PPG
5.8
Games
15
Rec
51
Rec Yds
438
Rec TDs
3
Targets
66
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Dawson Knox
T.J. Hockenson

Head to Head

5.4 PPG5.8 PPG
16 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). T.J. Hockenson: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #30 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dawson Knox is producing at 25% of elite pace and T.J. Hockenson at 26%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Dawson Knox vs T.J. Hockenson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Dawson Knox and T.J. Hockenson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.4 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 T.J. Hockenson posted 5.8 with the Minnesota Vikings 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; T.J. Hockenson posted 51 for 438. 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 T.J. Hockenson rests in Week 6. 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. T.J. Hockenson (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • T.J. Hockenson outscored Dawson Knox by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Dawson Knox played 16 games in 2025 compared to T.J. Hockenson'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.
  • T.J. Hockenson saw 66 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 T.J. Hockenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDawson KnoxT.J. Hockenson
PPG (Half-PPR)5.45.8
Games Played1615
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)8687
Receptions3651
Rec/Game2.33.4
Receiving Yards417438
Rec Yds/Game26.129.2
Receiving TDs43
Targets4966
Target Share/Game3.14.4
Age2929
Experience6 yrs6 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 6

Summary

T.J. Hockenson outscored Dawson Knox by 0.4 PPG in 2025 (5.8 to 5.4). 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 Dawson Knox or T.J. Hockenson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, T.J. Hockenson has the edge at 5.8 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 T.J. Hockenson average in 2025?

Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Dawson Knox and T.J. Hockenson's bye weeks in 2026?

Dawson Knox (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and T.J. Hockenson (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dawson Knox or T.J. Hockenson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

T.J. Hockenson outscored Dawson Knox by 0.4 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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