Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dawson Knox vs Ja'Tavion SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dawson Knox is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.4 PPG to Ja'Tavion Sanders's 4.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dawson Knox is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Dawson Knox and Ja'Tavion Sanders are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.2-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

TECarolina Panthers#99

Ja'Tavion Sanders

PPG

4.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

308

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Dawson Knox

Ja'Tavion Sanders

Head to Head

5.4 PPG4.2 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Ja'Tavion Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dawson Knox is producing at 25% of elite pace and Ja'Tavion Sanders at 19%. That ranking gap means Dawson Knox carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dawson Knox vs Ja'Tavion Sanders: The Full Breakdown

Dawson Knox (5.4 PPG) and Ja'Tavion Sanders (4.2 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Dawson Knox played 16 games for the Buffalo Bills; Ja'Tavion Sanders suited up 14 times for the Carolina Panthers.

A 1.2-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Dawson Knox had 36 catches for 417 yards; Ja'Tavion Sanders posted 32 for 308. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Dawson Knox sits Week 7 while Ja'Tavion Sanders is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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. Ja'Tavion Sanders (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Dawson Knox outscored Ja'Tavion Sanders by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dawson Knox played 16 games in 2025 compared to Ja'Tavion Sanders's 14. 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.
•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 Ja'Tavion Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dawson Knox	Ja'Tavion Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.4	4.2
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	86	59
Receptions	36	32
Rec/Game	2.3	2.3
Receiving Yards	417	308
Rec Yds/Game	26.1	22.0
Receiving TDs	4	1
Targets	49	45
Target Share/Game	3.1	3.2
Age	29	-
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

5.4 PPG for Dawson Knox versus 4.2 for Ja'Tavion Sanders in 2025. The baseline favors Dawson Knox, 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 Dawson Knox or Ja'Tavion Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dawson Knox has the edge at 5.4 PPG compared to Ja'Tavion Sanders's 4.2 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 Ja'Tavion Sanders average in 2025?▾

Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Ja'Tavion Sanders averaged 4.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Dawson Knox and Ja'Tavion Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dawson Knox (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Ja'Tavion Sanders (CAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dawson Knox or Ja'Tavion Sanders a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Dawson Knox outscored Ja'Tavion Sanders by 1.2 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.