Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dawson Knox vs Jonnu SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to Dawson Knox's 5.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

Jonnu Smith is the better play on a neutral week. 8.2 PPG with 562 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 Jonnu Smith 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

TEMiami Dolphins#99PPG LEADER

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Dawson Knox

Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

5.4 PPG8.2 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Jonnu Smith: 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 Jonnu Smith at 37%. That ranking gap means Dawson Knox carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dawson Knox vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Dawson Knox and Jonnu Smith is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Buffalo Bills tight end put up 5.4 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Jonnu Smith of the Miami Dolphins averaged 8.2 in 15. A 2.8-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.8 points favors Jonnu Smith, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Jonnu Smith is the volume tight end in this matchup with 52 receptions for 562 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 Jonnu Smith, but the floor gap is real.

Dawson Knox has his bye in Week 7, and Jonnu Smith 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. Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jonnu Smith outscored Dawson Knox by a projected 48 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dawson Knox played 16 games in 2025 compared to Jonnu Smith'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.
•Jonnu Smith saw 68 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 Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dawson Knox	Jonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.4	8.2
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	86	123
Receptions	36	52
Rec/Game	2.3	3.5
Receiving Yards	417	562
Rec Yds/Game	26.1	37.5
Receiving TDs	4	4
Targets	49	68
Target Share/Game	3.1	4.5
Age	29	-
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 6

Summary

8.2 PPG for Jonnu Smith versus 5.4 for Dawson Knox in 2025. The baseline favors Jonnu Smith, 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 Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonnu Smith has the edge at 8.2 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 Dawson Knox and Jonnu Smith average in 2025?▾

Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.8 points per game.

When are Dawson Knox and Jonnu Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dawson Knox (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dawson Knox or Jonnu Smith a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith outscored Dawson Knox by 2.8 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.