Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dawson Knox vs Theo JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Theo Johnson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.0 PPG to Dawson Knox's 5.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Theo Johnson is the better fantasy play this season.

Theo Johnson is the better play on a neutral week. 7.0 PPG with 528 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 Theo Johnson 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

TENew York Giants#24PPG LEADER

Theo Johnson

PPG

7.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Dawson Knox

Theo Johnson

Head to Head

5.4 PPG7.0 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Theo Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dawson Knox is producing at 25% of elite pace and Theo Johnson at 32%. That ranking gap means Theo Johnson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dawson Knox vs Theo Johnson: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Dawson Knox and Theo Johnson is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Buffalo Bills tight end put up 5.4 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Theo Johnson of the New York Giants averaged 7.0 in 15. A 1.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.6 points favors Theo Johnson, 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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Dawson Knox had 36 catches for 417 yards; Theo Johnson posted 45 for 528. 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 Theo Johnson rests in Week 8. 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. Theo Johnson (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Theo Johnson outscored Dawson Knox by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dawson Knox played 16 games in 2025 compared to Theo Johnson's 15. That durability gap means Dawson Knox contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Theo Johnson scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Theo Johnson saw 74 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Theo Johnson is 4 years younger than Dawson Knox (25 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dawson Knox vs Theo Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dawson Knox	Theo Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.4	7.0
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	86	105
Receptions	36	45
Rec/Game	2.3	3.0
Receiving Yards	417	528
Rec Yds/Game	26.1	35.2
Receiving TDs	4	5
Targets	49	74
Target Share/Game	3.1	4.9
Age	29	25
Experience	6 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 8

Summary

7.0 PPG for Theo Johnson versus 5.4 for Dawson Knox in 2025. The baseline favors Theo Johnson, 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 Theo Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Theo Johnson has the edge at 7.0 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 Theo Johnson average in 2025?▾

Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Dawson Knox and Theo Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Dawson Knox or Theo Johnson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Theo Johnson outscored Dawson Knox by 1.6 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.