Dawson

Knox

The Bills would save $9.6 million in cap space with a release of the veteran tight end, and Jaxson Hawes played well enough in his rookie season to believe he could step into a featured role as the No. 1 blocking tight end. Given how deep the Bills are in cap hell — they project to be over the cap by $7 million before the offseason starts — lopping off Knox definitely is in play at this point. Buscaglia also projects Curtis Samuel ($6.05 million in cap savings) and Ty Johnson ($2.45 million) as potential candidates for release as the Bills look to get cap compliant.

The one target that will stand out the most is Josh Allen missing Knox for what could have been a game-winning touchdown in the final seconds of regulation. It’s a pass the two have connected on multiple times throughout the years, but the ball simply sailed over Knox’s head and into the end zone. On the season, Knox played in all 17 games, five more than his tight end teammate Dalton Kincaid, totaling 417 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 36 catches. The 29-year-old is set to make $10.7 million next season, but the Bills could opt out of that deal and take $7.4 million in dead cap if they wanted to. It’s a situation to monitor this offseason, but that’s a large dead cap hit for a team to take.

Knox, Brandin Cooks, and Dalton Kincaid all tied for second on the team in catches. Khalil Shakir led the way with 12 grabs and 82 yards. Knox is a reliable backup tight end and a plus blocker, but his fantasy outlook is limited. He needs to get in the end zone to pay off and that has only happened four times this year. Knox is only worth a look in large-field DFS tournaments for the Divisional Round.

Kincaid should be able to suit up in the Wild Card round against the Jaguars if he can practice in some capacity on Thursday and Friday. Kincaid, who had three receptions for 48 yards last week against the Jets, could be a key player for Buffalo as they face the NFL’s most extreme pass-funnel defense. Jacksonville allows 8.7 tight end targets per game, the second highest mark in the league.

Knox came into the game needing seven receiving yards to earn $100K in incentives. He not only earned that, but also netted himself another $100K with his touchdown. Not bad for just one drive of work.

With starting TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) questionable to play, and the Bills having already locked up a Wild Card spot, it is possible Knox operates as the starter this week. He warrants boom-bust TE1 treatment in that scenario.

Kincaid remained limited all week. The Bills are already locked into a Wild Card spot, and may not need him to defeat the Jets this week. While he has a chance to play, the team may choose to rest him this week. Knox would be a boom-bust TE1 against the Jets if Kincaid sits.

Kincaid is on track to play in Week 18, though the knee issue is still seemingly bothering him. His backup, TE Dawson Knox, also remains limited by a knee injury of his own. The Bills (11-5) cannot overtake the Patriots (13-3), though they may be able to improve their Wild Card Weekend seeding. They face the Jets’ fantasy-friendly defense this week.

This is Kincaid’s second consecutive limited practice, dating back to last week. He was sidelined on Wednesday and Thursday and did not play on Sunday. Bills No. 2 TE Dawson Knox (knee) was also limited today, though he suited up in Week 17, catching 5-of-5 targets for 30 yards. Earlier today, Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Kincaid “is in a better spot now than he was last week.” He seemingly has a chance to play in Week 18, but the Bills are only playing for playoff seeding at this point, having locked up a Wild Card Weekend spot already. They could choose to keep him inactive against the lowly Jets.

With Dalton Kincaid out, Knox was the featured tight end in Buffalo and was third on the team in targets. He also had a touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter that was overturned and changed to him being down on the half-yard line. With Kincaid battling a knee injury, and the Bills having very little to play for next week against the Jets, you could see Knox as the primary tight end again in Week 18.