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The Price Of Keeping Dawson Knox


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Stumbled across this article today

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/02/25/panthers-agree-to-three-year-contract-with-ian-thomas/

Quote

Carolina announced on Friday that the club has agreed to terms on a three-year contract with tight end Ian Thomas. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth $16.5 million with $8 million fully guaranteed. He’ll receive $6.435 million in cash in the first year of the contract.

Here are his career stats: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomIa00.htm

 

Not overly impressive to say the least, but the Panthers just gave this guy around $5.5M per season with $8M guaranteed. Hell, even Logan Thomas is getting $8m+ from the Commanders. 

 

This immediately made me think of what the cost is going to be to keep Dawson Knox if he's going to push for an actual Market Value, and not a team friendly deal. And, I mean, what do you do really? He's one of Josh's best friends and favorite targets on the team. Here are his stats: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KnoxDa00.htm . He battled through some injuries in year two, but really came on last season. Here's a look at the top TE contracts below. Knox is playing himself into that $10.5M and up per season range, especially if he takes another step forward from this past year. 

 

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33 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

All we can hope for is the Josh Allen discount.

 

He actually might be getting the Josh Allen Bonus if he leaves as a free agent!

 

Knox numbers wouldn’t be as good if he had a lesser QB throwing him the ball...I’m sure he realizes this, and hopefully takes the “discount” you’re talking about.

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There is a noisy group of cheap azs fans on this board, they want above average to elite talent, but complain about the cost to have what they want, its kinda funny, for me, I don’t care who gets paid what, it ain’t my money.

 

Go Bills!!!

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I’d say someone will pay him minimum what hooper got….more likely what Henry/Jonnu got.  Ugh.  He’s much better than both of those guys imo.  Sucks that the price tag for decent player is so high.  

Just now, Don Otreply said:

There is a noisy group of cheap azs fans on this board, they want above average to elite talent, but complain about the cost to have what they want, its kinda funny, for me, I don’t care who gets paid what, it ain’t my money.

 

Go Bills!!!

I don’t think it’s so much about being cheap as it is about breaking the the situation and talking about it.  Lots of players get overpaid.  Lots of these overpaid contracts turn into obstacles that can prevent teams from making other moves and keeping them from winning Super Bowls.  
 

it ain’t my money, but it’s an important aspect of what lies ahead for our team. 

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17 minutes ago, BuffaloBillies said:

 

A heartbreaking drama of a family torn apart by a troubled teen's lack of judgment and bad decisions.

They're willing to fight to keep the family together, but at what cost?

Young Dawson: "It's settled. I am wearing receiver's gloves!"

Dawson's father: "We didn't wear those in my  time!"

2 minutes ago, Back2Buff said:

Knox is average to me.  Doesn't have great hands, and not overly big.  Also doesn't run great routes.

 

His production has mostly been on depiction and scheme.  I think there are a lot of guys that Allen and play calling would make look good in the TE spot.

Look, if you want Ertz, just quit dancing around the issue and ask for Ertz. 😁

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14 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

There is a noisy group of cheap azs fans on this board, they want above average to elite talent, but complain about the cost to have what they want, its kinda funny, for me, I don’t care who gets paid what, it ain’t my money.

 

Go Bills!!!

 

But the discussion is about Knox, who, in this his best season, was 15th in yards and 18th in catches

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1. Extend/Restructure Diggs

2. Re-sign Knox this year

3. Re-sign Davis next year

 

There are Josh's top-3 targets for years to come. If Singletary keeps developing, or we get a new RB, that would likely be the 4th target as it is. Then you can futz around with midround picks, free agents, whatever at slot and depth. Josh will help make any of those guys look better anyways.

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We have been wanting a top echelon TE in Buffalo for years.  Remember the Charles Clay Experiment?  Now we have one of the best young TEs in the AFC who probably hasn't reached his ceiling yet.  The Bills need to make the investment to keep him around.   Looking at Beane's modus operandi with previous extensions, I would expect that extension will happen sooner rather than later.  The longer you wait, the more you pay.  

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19 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

But the discussion is about Knox, who, in this his best season, was 15th in yards and 18th in catches

Ah, but in the most important category he’s #2, and that’s TDs, with ten (10), and what other TE stat is more important than that?? 

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37 minutes ago, NewEra said:

I’d say someone will pay him minimum what hooper got….more likely what Henry/Jonnu got.  Ugh.  He’s much better than both of those guys imo.  Sucks that the price tag for decent player is so high.  

I don’t think it’s so much about being cheap as it is about breaking the the situation and talking about it.  Lots of players get overpaid.  Lots of these overpaid contracts turn into obstacles that can prevent teams from making other moves and keeping them from winning Super Bowls.  
 

it ain’t my money, but it’s an important aspect of what lies ahead for our team. 

That has a bunch of truth to it, but the only reason we are in a crunch financially is Covid, it is not Beane’s contracts,  it’s not like any team knew that Covid and it’s consequences were coming, frankly, I trust Beane to navigate through this in an intelligent manor, I’m not the least bit concerned. I may be pissed off later, 😂, but not at present…, 

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45 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

1. Extend/Restructure Diggs

2. Re-sign Knox this year

3. Re-sign Davis next year

 

There are Josh's top-3 targets for years to come. If Singletary keeps developing, or we get a new RB, that would likely be the 4th target as it is. Then you can futz around with midround picks, free agents, whatever at slot and depth. Josh will help make any of those guys look better anyways.

 

I like your thinking except for Davis. Gabe had a terrific second half of the season. If he has a whole season like that he’s going to get a really sizable contract. I think he is a potential star in the making.  I’d like to wrap him up now. But heck I’d like to get them all under contract, hate losing guys but I know we will. Go Bills

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13 minutes ago, JaCrispy said:

Knox, Edmunds, Oliver...take your pick...

 

We will, likely, only be able to Keep 1 of the 3...

 

Last year we were saying the same thing about three FAs, yet Beane found a way to sign them all.

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27 minutes ago, JaCrispy said:

Knox, Edmunds, Oliver...take your pick...

 

We will, likely, only be able to Keep 1 of the 3...

I actually think we keep two of the three. I just don't know if it will be Edmunds or Oliver, but I'm leaning towards Oliver. 

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He sent me a Valentine.  Sign him at all costs.  🤣

 

All kidding aside, we are going to have several tough decisions with our own in house talent as we move into the new world of Josh Allens contract.  Right now, I think its plausible Knox stays here long term, but if he goes out and has an even bigger year this next one, his price tag might get too big.  

 

I think one of the great things about Beane though is he really has been a master at contracts and managing the cap.  If his value to the team matches what we will have to pay him to keep him, I think Beane will find a way to get it done.  

 

But, this is another situation like I discussed about Christian Kirk.  Knox has not made much money thus far in his career.  He is a guy that likely has just 6 figures in his bank account at this stage after taxes, agents, managers, etc.  If he comes out and has an even bigger year this year...say he puts up 800+ yards and double digit TD's...then what we can probably afford and what the open market could offer him might end up being a large gap.  And thats when retaining him I think might get our of reach because the hometown discount could mean leaving a lot of money on the table.  

 

But truthfully, I think in this offense the way we spread the ball around with so many mouths to feed, Knox (or any TE for that matter) is more likely going to be that 400-600 yard guy and be more of a Redzone threat with 8 to 10 TD's.  If that stays true this year, then I think there is a higher probability we can keep him here as the gap may not be as big to what the open market dictates and what we can afford.  

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1 hour ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

But the discussion is about Knox, who, in this his best season, was 15th in yards and 18th in catches

 

And 1st in touchdowns. 

Personally I'd try and extend Dawson this offseason. If you let him get to the point where he can think about testing the market next year he goes for more than you can afford. 

 

The thing that doesn't show up for the "let's compare his stats" guys is that he has come on a fair bit as a blocker too. He can stay on the field in all scenarios and that helps create matchup advantages for an offense compared to a Zach Ertz or a Hunter Henry or a Mike Gesicki who might are just big slot receivers but who you have to take off the field in certain situations. 

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18 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

And 1st in touchdowns. 

Personally I'd try and extend Dawson this offseason. If you let him get to the point where he can think about testing the market next year he goes for more than you can afford. 

 

The thing that doesn't show up for the "let's compare his stats" guys is that he has come on a fair bit as a blocker too. He can stay on the field in all scenarios and that helps create matchup advantages for an offense compared to a Zach Ertz or a Hunter Henry or a Mike Gesicki who might are just big slot receivers but who you have to take off the field in certain situations. 

 

I agree with this, and I suspect Beane does too and wouldn't be surprised at all to see Beane at least try to this offseason (assuming they see him in their long term plans, which I suspect they do right now).  

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There are three kinds of Tight Ends:

 

1.  Blocking TEs - great in the run game, will catch the rare pass here or there.   Think Lee Smith.  These guys are not hard to find.  Mid-to-late round draft picks, veteran FAs, UDFAs.

 

2. "Reliable" Receiving TE's - can block and also have good hands.  Make catches over the middle, usually for first downs in 3rd and medium.  Think Jessie James on the Bears/formerly of the Steelers.  Tommy Sweeney might be one of these guys, but hasn't quite developed to being consistently that.  There are lots of these guys out there and they are not hard to come by.   Mid-to-late round draft picks, veteran FAs, UDFAs.

 

3.  Athletic TEs - these are the next level guys that can be a primary receiving target, even down the field.  They make game-changing plays.  Guys like Kelce, Kittle, etc.  Knox is not to the level of Kelce and Kittle - two of the best ever - but he has that kind of talent and is developing into one of those guys.  These guys are higher round draft picks and are hard to come by.  The Bills have one.  Lock him up to a longer term contract now, before he prices himself out of the market.

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1 hour ago, Don Otreply said:

Ah, but in the most important category he’s #2, and that’s TDs, with ten (10), and what other TE stat is more important than that?? 

 

What are the 49ers paying  Kittle  75 million for?

 

14 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

And 1st in touchdowns. 

Personally I'd try and extend Dawson this offseason. If you let him get to the point where he can think about testing the market next year he goes for more than you can afford. 

 

The thing that doesn't show up for the "let's compare his stats" guys is that he has come on a fair bit as a blocker too. He can stay on the field in all scenarios and that helps create matchup advantages for an offense compared to a Zach Ertz or a Hunter Henry or a Mike Gesicki who might are just big slot receivers but who you have to take off the field in certain situations. 

 

Robert Tonyan had more TDs a year ago (11) and also had the most (tied).  He was rewarded by the Packers for that with a 3.4 million 1 year contract extension this past season.  

 

 

 

1 hour ago, gobills404 said:

He was also 20th in targets but still made the most of them. Not his fault he was criminally underutilized in this offense.

 

No one gets a huge contract for being previously underutilized....

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20 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

The thing that doesn't show up for the "let's compare his stats" guys is that he has come on a fair bit as a blocker too. He can stay on the field in all scenarios and that helps create matchup advantages for an offense compared to a Zach Ertz or a Hunter Henry or a Mike Gesicki who might are just big slot receivers but who you have to take off the field in certain situations. 

 

And on this, well said.  Its exactly why Gronk will be the greatest TE in history in my book over say someone like Kelce.  Gronk was an excellent blocker and true complete TE where Kelce is more that big slot guy.  

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2 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

Robert Tonyan had more TDs a year ago (11) and also had the most (tied).  He was rewarded by the Packers for that with a 3.4 million 1 year contract extension this past season.  

 

 

No he wasn't. Tonyan was an RFA. Packers had total team control. Sadly for him he then tore his ACL which means what would have been a big payday this year might now not transpire.

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1 hour ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

If it's Ed O, do we keep Mr. Ed, too?

I think we should keep the guy who we feel is going to give the biggest impact to the team, without breaking the bank to keep...the other two guys, we get value through trades...

 

And honestly, I think this is going to be Beane’s hardest test- knowing when to let go and replenish...seems to have a hard time with that...

Edited by JaCrispy
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3 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

And on this, well said.  Its exactly why Gronk will be the greatest TE in history in my book over say someone like Kelce.  Gronk was an excellent blocker and true complete TE where Kelce is more that big slot guy.  

 

Kelce is in my kind of in the middle category. He is a pass catcher but who can block a bit. He isn't an all round guy like Gronk and Kittle though... or like Witten in his prime, but he is also isn't just a big slot receiver like Ertz and Gesicki or Jimmy Graham in his prime who are liabilities as blockers and frankly I don't consider those guys tight ends at all. They only are in name. Agree totally on Gronk. He is the best I have seen. 

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Just now, JaCrispy said:

I think we should keep the guy who we feel is going to give the biggest impact to the team, without breaking the bank to keep...the other two guys, we get value through trades...

So if you deal Ed O, sell the potential of horseback rides as a + in the negotiations.

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