Wouldn't It Be Cool If Knox Keeps Emerging?

[Richard Noggin]

Exactly what this offense has been searching for the 2nd half of the season, and one would hope what the organization envisioned when giving him a handsome extension: a dangerous mismatch for defenses devoting extra attention to Diggs. While Davis, understandably, suddenly became everyone's favorite WR2 prospect following his historic KC playoff explosion, I'd argue that Knox breaking out would be even more beneficial. 

 

Contrary to many of our well-honed eye tests, Davis IS having a pretty solid WR2 season (minus catch %). But man how great it would be if Knox continues to ascend.

 

Here is Erik Turner's breakdown of Knox's night against Miami:

 

 

[Big Turk]

Knox has been kept in as a blocker in many situations to max protect. Bills likely saw something in Dolphins D that made them think RBs and TEs would be smart way to attack and they did so.

 

People want to point to Knox being not a big part of the offense this year but he now literally is on pace for almost the same numbers as last year. 

 

Not terrible considering he has been blocking far more than last year on passing downs.

 

Knox last year averaged 3.3 catches and 39.1 YPG and this year 3.3 catches and 35.8 YPG. The difference isn't as large an most would believe...in fact there really isn't any difference.

 

Edited December 20, 2022 by Big Turk

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Best Bills TE since the merger!

[Big Turk]

3 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Best Bills TE since the merger!

 

Hmm...not sure about that yet. He has the potential to be but Scott Chandler was statistically the best TE and then Pete Metzelaars and Jay Riemersma both had seasons with more yardage than Knox has had so far.

[Richard Noggin]

Just now, Big Turk said:

Knox has been kept in as a blocker in many situations to max protect. Bills likely saw something in Dolphins D that made them think RBs and TEs would be smart way to attack and they did so.

 

People want to point to Knox being not a big part of the offense this year but he now literally is on pace for almost the same numbers as last year. 

 

Not terrible considering he has been blocking far more than last year on passing downs.

 

He's no doubt been doing his 1/11th as a blocker (and admirably, at that) to date, but it's exciting to think that the Bills are starting to feature him more (or that Allen is actually looking his way more? It's really difficult to know where credit is due). 

 

I just watched more of the video, and was reminded of that brutal late 2nd quarter drop over the middle (and that Knox had 2 drops total). The drops thing is an issue that could singlehandedly be responsible for the fan angst over the 2022 offense.

[Big Turk]

1 minute ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

He's no doubt been doing his 1/11th as a blocker (and admirably, at that) to date, but it's exciting to think that the Bills are starting to feature him more (or that Allen is actually looking his way more? It's really difficult to know where credit is due). 

 

I just watched more of the video, and was reminded of that brutal late 2nd quarter drop over the middle (and that Knox had 2 drops total). The drops thing is an issue that could singlehandedly be responsible for the fan angst over the 2022 offense.

 

Not sure you can read much into a single game, that could simply be gameplan specific.

[Richard Noggin]

1 minute ago, Big Turk said:

 

Not sure you can read much into a single game, that could simply be gameplan specific.

 

I thought he showed up a bit last week as well, no? With respect to targets and production. Possible that we're seeing an upward trend.

[Big Turk]

1 minute ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

I thought he showed up a bit last week as well, no? With respect to targets and production. Possible that we're seeing an upward trend.

 

He had 4 for 41 last week and a TD so slightly above his averages...

Edited December 20, 2022 by Big Turk

[John from Riverside]

13 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Best Bills TE since the merger!

Naaaaa

Love me some Dawson but Scott Chandler and Pete Metz were pretty darn good

[Richard Noggin]

2 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

He had 4 for 41 last week and a TD so slightly above his averages...

 

Exactly. Then a bigger jump this week. Obviously we'll see if this continues, but there is HUGE value in the potential emergence of another target. Especially one who offers such dangerous RAC ability.

[Warcodered]

13 minutes ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

He's no doubt been doing his 1/11th as a blocker (and admirably, at that) to date, but it's exciting to think that the Bills are starting to feature him more (or that Allen is actually looking his way more? It's really difficult to know where credit is due). 

 

I just watched more of the video, and was reminded of that brutal late 2nd quarter drop over the middle (and that Knox had 2 drops total). The drops thing is an issue that could singlehandedly be responsible for the fan angst over the 2022 offense.

We improve our O-line and I think he'd have a lot better numbers, so you know another reason to do that.

[HappyDays]

37 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

Knox last year averaged 3.3 catches and 39.1 YPG and this year 3.3 catches and 35.8 YPG. The difference isn't as large an most would believe...in fact there really isn't any difference.

 

The difference is last year he scored 0.6 TDs per game, this year he has scored 0.31 TDs per game. So last year he basically doubled this year's scoring output. One positive is his drop percentage is only 3.4% this year, down from 5.6% last year, and that's coming off a game with two drops.

 

I think Knox is our best red zone weapon not named Josh Allen so there is a lot of meat left on the bone there. For some reason we don't make it a point to get the ball in his hands in the red zone consistently. It was nice to see all 4 of our passing TDs go to TEs and RBs on Saturday. We haven't utilized those positions to their fullest potential this season. Maybe Dorsey has finally figured that out.

 

Edited December 20, 2022 by HappyDays

[Richard Noggin]

11 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

The difference is last year he scored 0.6 TDs per game, this year he has scored 0.31 TDs per game. So last year he basically doubled this year's scoring output. One positive is his drop percentage is only 3.4% this year, down from 5.6% last year, and that's coming off a game with two drops.

 

I think Knox is our best red zone weapon not named Josh Allen so there is a lot of meat left on the bone there. For some reason we don't make it a point to get the ball in his hands in the red zone consistently. It was nice to see all 4 of our passing TDs go to TEs and RBs on Saturday. We haven't utilized those positions to their fullest potential this season. Maybe Dorsey has finally figured that out.

 

 

Maybe this is the exciting part: we already know there is talent among the offensive weapons (especially when Knox gets has the ball in his hands), so seeing the offense diversify and distribute (including an increased role for Knox, among others) seems like a promising development. 

 

Red zone success has been an issue this year, and the recent success (11/13) bodes well moving forward.

[Kenosha2Buffalo]

Yes it would 

[Buffalo716]

48 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

Naaaaa

Love me some Dawson but Scott Chandler and Pete Metz were pretty darn good

NFL players are all a victim of circumstance… Scott Chandler had a great chemistry with Fitzpatrick

 

Is he a more talented football player than Dawson Knox? absolutely not 

 

Fortunately this year all our offensive line woes has turned Dawson Knox into a big time blocker… He’s one of the most complete tight ends in the game

[Big Turk]

1 hour ago, HappyDays said:

 

The difference is last year he scored 0.6 TDs per game, this year he has scored 0.31 TDs per game. So last year he basically doubled this year's scoring output. One positive is his drop percentage is only 3.4% this year, down from 5.6% last year, and that's coming off a game with two drops.

 

I think Knox is our best red zone weapon not named Josh Allen so there is a lot of meat left on the bone there. For some reason we don't make it a point to get the ball in his hands in the red zone consistently. It was nice to see all 4 of our passing TDs go to TEs and RBs on Saturday. We haven't utilized those positions to their fullest potential this season. Maybe Dorsey has finally figured that out.

 

 

Not really on him, his utilization in the red zone has been very different up until the last few games.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

1 hour ago, John from Riverside said:

Naaaaa

Love me some Dawson but Scott Chandler and Pete Metz were pretty darn good

Those two were fine players but nowhere near the athlete Knox is.  

[John from Riverside]

2 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Those two were fine players but nowhere near the athlete Knox is.  

Let’s talk when Dawson actually starts putting up the numbers that they did

[Freddie's Dead]

More Dawesome and less Dropsome would help.

[Nelius]

It's what we expected right? If I'm following correctly he's still on his rookie deal and then is inching toward top-5 money next year, before new deals anyway. His rate is higher than a Hunter Henry or Mike Gesicki anyway. 

 

I think he has the potential to be kind of a big deal. Top TE in the AFC East potential. We banked on him and Gabe emerging and both still have a lot of questions but the Dawson run the last couple of weeks has been great to see. And Gabe could go off for 2+ TD in a playoff game.

 

This feels like a great time to point out Mark Sanchez trying to make an awkward, sweaty Dawson's Creek reference over the weekend that made zero sense whatsoever. Knox caught a perfectly normal pass and Sanchez the Brainiac said something to the extent of "Dawson Knox...Dawson's Creek...you can count on him". Thanks for the effort, Buttfumble.

Edited December 20, 2022 by Nelius