JUST IN: Bills $52 Million Surprising New Position
Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox might take on a dual role in 2024.
Although Tyler Bass usually handles kickoffs, his 5-foot-10, 183-pound frame might not be ideal this season. With the NFL’s new kickoff rules, having a kicker who can tackle is a significant advantage. Therefore, utilizing Knox, a 6-foot-4, 254-pound tight end, could be a viable option.
Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News discussed this potential change in his June 1 mailbag column. “Regarding a position player who could kick off, I remember Dawson Knox, Micah Hyde, and Matt Barkley trying extra points during a training camp practice a couple of years ago,” Skurski wrote. “Knox is the only one still with the team.”
Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team commented, “The NFL’s new kickoff rule effectively makes the kicker the last line of defense on returns if the returner breaks through the initial wall. Avoiding putting your kicker in that position, especially when he is crucial for field goals, introduces an interesting dynamic.”
The Kansas City Chiefs are considering using safety Justin Reid or running back Louis Rees-Zammit for kickoffs. Bills special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley might begin experimenting with this role when OTAs resume on June 3.
Knox, who signed a four-year, $52 million extension in 2022, restructured his deal this offseason. Although he took a pay cut, the new three-year, $29.5 million deal secures him through 2026.
Bills TE Dawson Knox Is Coming Off One of the Worst Seasons of His Career
The Bills’ offense looks significantly different in 2024. With Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis no longer on the team, Dawson Knox is now quarterback Josh Allen’s longest-tenured offensive weapon.
However, Knox is coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career. While the Bills initially employed a 12 personnel setup (one running back, two tight ends, two wide receivers) with tight end Dalton Kincaid early last year, they abandoned that strategy after former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey was fired and Knox underwent mid-season wrist surgery.
In 12 games, Knox recorded only 22 receptions for 186 yards and two touchdowns. This was a sharp decline from his previous two seasons, each with over 500 receiving yards. His drop rate in 2023 was 13.2%, which Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic noted as “the worst drop rate of the past four seasons by a Bills skill position player.”
Despite this, the Bills’ third-round pick from the 2019 NFL draft still offers significant value both on and off the field. He remains a crucial veteran presence in the locker room and has the potential to bounce back now that he is fully healthy.
DAWSON. KNOX.
📺: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/62JNry1at3
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 8, 2024
Mike D’Abate of Athlon Sports noted that Knox excels at finding space in soft zones and executing flat combinations. Additionally, he has improved his blocking game on the edge, particularly in sealing his blocks when the ball isn’t targeted towards him. Overall, D’Abate believes Knox is poised to be a challenging player for any opposing team to defend against.
With Knox mainly fulfilling blocking duties, Dalton Kincaid concluded his rookie season with 73 receptions for 673 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Bills OC Joe Brady Addressed Using 12-Personnel With Dawson Knox & Dalton Kincaid
Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, speaking to reporters on May 28, discussed the potential for using more 12 personnel formations in the upcoming 2024 season.
“We’re aiming to field our strongest 11 players each week, and that might vary based on the matchups,” Brady explained. “Our strategy isn’t just about exploiting defensive weaknesses; it’s about identifying and maximizing our own strengths while targeting opponent vulnerabilities. Some weeks, that might involve deploying 12 personnel. Other times, it could mean using 22 personnel.”
He continued, “We’re eager to expand our playbook and give our players opportunities to excel in different roles and situations. By exposing them to new challenges, we’ll see how they adapt and thrive.”