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Head to Head

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Cade Otton vs Dawson KnoxWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Cade Otton 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

Cade Otton is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Cade Otton and Dawson Knox are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.8-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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TETampa Bay Buccaneers#29PPG LEADER
Cade Otton
PPG
6.2
Games
15
Rec
59
Rec Yds
572
Rec TDs
1
Targets
81
Bye
Week 10
TEBuffalo Bills#33
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
Cade Otton
Dawson Knox

Head to Head

6.2 PPG5.4 PPG
15 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Cade Otton: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #29 at the position). Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cade Otton is producing at 28% of elite pace and Dawson Knox at 25%. That ranking gap means Cade Otton carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cade Otton vs Dawson Knox: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Cade Otton finished the 2025 season at 6.2 PPG over 15 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Dawson Knox clocked in at 5.4 across 16 appearances for the Buffalo Bills. A 0.8-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Cade Otton is the volume tight end in this matchup with 59 receptions for 572 yards, while Dawson Knox profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (4 scores on 36 catches). In weeks where Dawson Knox finds the end zone he out-scores Cade Otton, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Cade Otton is off Week 10 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

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: Cade Otton (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Dawson Knox (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Cade Otton 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 Cade Otton'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.
  • Cade Otton saw 81 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cade Otton vs Dawson Knox: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCade OttonDawson Knox
PPG (Half-PPR)6.25.4
Games Played1516
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)9386
Receptions5936
Rec/Game3.92.3
Receiving Yards572417
Rec Yds/Game38.126.1
Receiving TDs14
Targets8149
Target Share/Game5.43.1
Age2729
Experience3 yrs6 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 7

Summary

6.2 PPG for Cade Otton versus 5.4 for Dawson Knox in 2025. The baseline favors Cade Otton, 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 Cade Otton or Dawson Knox in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Cade Otton 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 Cade Otton and Dawson Knox average in 2025?

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

When are Cade Otton and Dawson Knox's bye weeks in 2026?

Cade Otton (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Dawson Knox (BUF) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cade Otton or Dawson Knox a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Cade Otton 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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