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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Dawson Knox or Oronde Gadsden IIWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Oronde Gadsden II over Dawson Knox in 2026.

Oronde Gadsden II averaged 7.1 PPG in 2025 to Dawson Knox's 5.4, a 1.7 point per game edge. Both play tight ends, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit. Oronde Gadsden II is Tier 3 at the position, Dawson Knox is Tier 4.

The Bottom Line

Oronde Gadsden II is the better play on a neutral week. 7.1 PPG with 664 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 Oronde Gadsden II higher, but do not fade Dawson Knox entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEBuffalo Bills#33

Dawson Knox

PPG

5.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

417

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TELos Angeles Chargers#23PPG LEADER

Oronde Gadsden II

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

664

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Dawson Knox

Oronde Gadsden II

Head to Head

5.4 PPG7.1 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Oronde Gadsden II: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #23 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dawson Knox is producing at 25% of elite pace and Oronde Gadsden II at 32%. That ranking gap means Oronde Gadsden II carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dawson Knox vs Oronde Gadsden II: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Dawson Knox and Oronde Gadsden II for your lineup, you are not alone. Dawson Knox finished the 2025 season at 5.4 PPG for the Buffalo Bills (16 games), and Oronde Gadsden II averaged 7.1 for the Los Angeles Chargers (15 games).

That 1.7-point weekly advantage for Oronde Gadsden II 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; Oronde Gadsden II posted 49 for 664. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Both share a Week 7 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

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. Oronde Gadsden II (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Oronde Gadsden II outscored Dawson Knox by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dawson Knox played 16 games in 2025 compared to Oronde Gadsden II'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.
•Oronde Gadsden II saw 69 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Oronde Gadsden II is 6 years younger than Dawson Knox (23 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dawson Knox vs Oronde Gadsden II: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dawson Knox	Oronde Gadsden II
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.4	7.1
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	86	107
Receptions	36	49
Rec/Game	2.3	3.3
Receiving Yards	417	664
Rec Yds/Game	26.1	44.3
Receiving TDs	4	3
Targets	49	69
Target Share/Game	3.1	4.6
Age	29	23
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Oronde Gadsden II at 7.1 PPG, 1.7 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 Oronde Gadsden II in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Oronde Gadsden II has the edge at 7.1 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.

Should I draft Dawson Knox or Oronde Gadsden II in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Oronde Gadsden II is the earlier pick. He averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Dawson Knox's 5.4, a 1.7 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Dawson Knox and Oronde Gadsden II average in 2025?▾

Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Oronde Gadsden II averaged 7.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

Do Dawson Knox and Oronde Gadsden II share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Dawson Knox and Oronde Gadsden II share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Dawson Knox or Oronde Gadsden II a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Oronde Gadsden II outscored Dawson Knox by 1.7 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.