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Head to Head

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Dawson Knox vs Mason TaylorWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dawson Knox is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.4 PPG to Mason Taylor's 5.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dawson Knox is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Dawson Knox and Mason Taylor are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-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
16
Rec
36
Rec Yds
417
Rec TDs
4
Targets
49
Bye
Week 7
TENew York Jets#34
Mason Taylor
PPG
5.1
Games
13
Rec
44
Rec Yds
369
Rec TDs
1
Targets
65
Bye
Week 13

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Dawson Knox
Mason Taylor

Head to Head

5.4 PPG5.1 PPG
16 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Mason Taylor: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #34 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dawson Knox is producing at 25% of elite pace and Mason Taylor at 23%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Dawson Knox vs Mason Taylor: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Dawson Knox and Mason Taylor is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.3 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 Mason Taylor posted 5.1 with the New York Jets in 13.

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; Mason Taylor posted 44 for 369. 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 Mason Taylor rests in Week 13. 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. Mason Taylor (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Dawson Knox outscored Mason Taylor by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Dawson Knox played 16 games in 2025 compared to Mason Taylor's 13. 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.
  • Mason Taylor saw 65 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
  • Mason Taylor is 7 years younger than Dawson Knox (22 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dawson Knox vs Mason Taylor: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDawson KnoxMason Taylor
PPG (Half-PPR)5.45.1
Games Played1613
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)8666
Receptions3644
Rec/Game2.33.4
Receiving Yards417369
Rec Yds/Game26.128.4
Receiving TDs41
Targets4965
Target Share/Game3.15.0
Age2922
Experience6 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 13

Summary

5.4 PPG for Dawson Knox versus 5.1 for Mason Taylor 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 Mason Taylor in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Dawson Knox has the edge at 5.4 PPG compared to Mason Taylor's 5.1 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 Mason Taylor average in 2025?

Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Mason Taylor averaged 5.1 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Dawson Knox and Mason Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?

Dawson Knox (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Mason Taylor (NYJ) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dawson Knox or Mason Taylor a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Dawson Knox outscored Mason Taylor by 0.3 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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