Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dawson Knox vs Gunnar HelmWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dawson Knox is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.4 PPG to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dawson Knox is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Dawson Knox and Gunnar Helm are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.0-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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TEBuffalo Bills#33PPG LEADER

Dawson Knox

PPG

5.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

417

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TETennessee Titans#40

Gunnar Helm

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

357

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Dawson Knox

Gunnar Helm

Head to Head

5.4 PPG4.4 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dawson Knox is producing at 25% of elite pace and Gunnar Helm at 20%. That ranking gap means Dawson Knox carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dawson Knox vs Gunnar Helm: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Dawson Knox and Gunnar Helm is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.0 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 Gunnar Helm posted 4.4 with the Tennessee Titans 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. Dawson Knox had 36 catches for 417 yards; Gunnar Helm posted 44 for 357. 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 Gunnar Helm 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. Gunnar Helm (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Dawson Knox outscored Gunnar Helm by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dawson Knox scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Gunnar Helm saw 55 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Gunnar Helm is 6 years younger than Dawson Knox (23 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dawson Knox vs Gunnar Helm: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dawson Knox	Gunnar Helm
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.4	4.4
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	86	70
Receptions	36	44
Rec/Game	2.3	2.8
Receiving Yards	417	357
Rec Yds/Game	26.1	22.3
Receiving TDs	4	2
Targets	49	55
Target Share/Game	3.1	3.4
Age	29	23
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 9

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Dawson Knox at 5.4 PPG, 1.0 points per game above Gunnar Helm's 4.4. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dawson Knox or Gunnar Helm in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dawson Knox has the edge at 5.4 PPG compared to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 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 Gunnar Helm average in 2025?▾

Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Dawson Knox and Gunnar Helm's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Dawson Knox or Gunnar Helm a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Dawson Knox outscored Gunnar Helm by 1.0 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.