Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dawson Knox vs Jake TongesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jake Tonges is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.5 PPG to Dawson Knox's 5.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jake Tonges is the better fantasy play this season.

Jake Tonges is the better play on a neutral week. 8.5 PPG with 293 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 Jake Tonges 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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TEBuffalo Bills#33

Dawson Knox

PPG

5.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

417

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TESan Francisco 49ers#15PPG LEADER

Jake Tonges

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

293

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Dawson Knox

Jake Tonges

Head to Head

5.4 PPG8.5 PPG

16 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Jake Tonges: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dawson Knox is producing at 25% of elite pace and Jake Tonges at 39%. That ranking gap means Jake Tonges carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dawson Knox vs Jake Tonges: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Dawson Knox and Jake Tonges for your lineup, you are not alone. Dawson Knox finished the 2025 season at 5.4 PPG for the Buffalo Bills (16 games), and Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 for the San Francisco 49ers (9 games).

That 3.1-point weekly advantage for Jake Tonges is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Dawson Knox had 36 catches for 417 yards; Jake Tonges posted 34 for 293. 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: Dawson Knox is off Week 7 and Jake Tonges Week 8. 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

Jake Tonges 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: Dawson Knox (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Jake Tonges (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jake Tonges outscored Dawson Knox by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dawson Knox played 16 games in 2025 compared to Jake Tonges's 9. That durability gap means Dawson Knox contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jake Tonges scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dawson Knox vs Jake Tonges: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dawson Knox	Jake Tonges
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.4	8.5
Games Played	16	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	86	77
Receptions	36	34
Rec/Game	2.3	3.8
Receiving Yards	417	293
Rec Yds/Game	26.1	32.6
Receiving TDs	4	5
Targets	49	46
Target Share/Game	3.1	5.1
Age	29	26
Experience	6 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jake Tonges at 8.5 PPG, 3.1 points per game above Dawson Knox's 5.4. 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 Jake Tonges in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Tonges has the edge at 8.5 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 Jake Tonges average in 2025?▾

Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

When are Dawson Knox and Jake Tonges's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dawson Knox (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Jake Tonges (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dawson Knox or Jake Tonges a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jake Tonges outscored Dawson Knox by 3.1 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.