Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dawson Knox vs Tyler HigbeeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.5 PPG to Dawson Knox's 5.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Tyler Higbee edges Dawson Knox by 1.1 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Tyler Higbee goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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 Rams#25PPG LEADER

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Dawson Knox

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

5.4 PPG6.5 PPG

16 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

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

Dawson Knox vs Tyler Higbee: The Full Breakdown

Dawson Knox (5.4 PPG) and Tyler Higbee (6.5 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; Tyler Higbee suited up 9 times for the Los Angeles Rams.

A 1.1-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; Tyler Higbee posted 25 for 281. 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 Tyler Higbee 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. Tyler Higbee (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Higbee outscored Dawson Knox by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dawson Knox played 16 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee's 9. 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.
•Dawson Knox is 4 years younger than Tyler Higbee (29 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dawson Knox vs Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dawson Knox	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.4	6.5
Games Played	16	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	86	59
Receptions	36	25
Rec/Game	2.3	2.8
Receiving Yards	417	281
Rec Yds/Game	26.1	31.2
Receiving TDs	4	3
Targets	49	36
Target Share/Game	3.1	4.0
Age	29	33
Experience	6 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

Tyler Higbee outscored Dawson Knox by 1.1 PPG in 2025 (6.5 to 5.4). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dawson Knox or Tyler Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Higbee has the edge at 6.5 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 Tyler Higbee average in 2025?▾

Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Dawson Knox and Tyler Higbee's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dawson Knox (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Tyler Higbee (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dawson Knox or Tyler Higbee a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tyler Higbee outscored Dawson Knox by 1.1 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.