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

[Doc Brown]

If you want Knox to reach his potential you need to upgrade the o-line.  He's been overused as a blocker and it has him on a receiving production trajectory that looks more like Charles Clay's glory days here than a TJ Hockenson (who I think he most resembles).  We need him to get close to Hockenson's production to justify that contract.  He's perfectly capable as he's just as athletic.  Just needs to see more targets.

[BuffBillsForLife]

In my head he'll always have stone hands, even if it isn't really true in reality anymore.  

 

He blocks on a lot of plays, like a lot a lot.  And that drags his production way down.  

[DrPJax]

4 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

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:

 

 

Most analysts are comparing us to offenses who are hard to stop when they get a viable third option.  For example miami with their two wrs and now running backs / game   ( btw even rexy and that group said that loss was on the fins coach for not calling runs on three critical  third downs and they said the bills were out coached and game planned that night !   Also they see the bengals with chase , Higgins , and mixon as more dangerous than the bills current offense.  It’s true. Josh / Diggs are superstars and hard to stop. We need that running back as opposed to knox to have a consistent run  game to really close out games and make the o less predictable. Plus they were very critical of Mcd having been there over 5 years and not having stabilized the o line.  Those are fair critiques , so don’t rip me. 
 

Beane / Mcd have to address theses issues as we have seen teams close the gap , and these people are even predicting cincy gets the 1 seed which would be no small matter.this year ! They do have injury issues now so that evens things a little. But while we have Josh , they do need to fix this o as it’s not as supportive for josh  or as good as it COULD BE.  We have the qb to be unstoppable and yes we lost three games by 8 points , but only one of those type losses in the playoffs keeps you from a Lombardi!  We should not delude ourselves , this o is having problems and without Josh , we are an average team ( not my words , from Rex and Pats ex LB. )   Others noticing we were out coached by younger less tenured coaching staffs may be valid that  our chance to be that dynasty we deserve to see while we have Josh , who we waited for over 17 years, could be being mishandled. I think they made fair points.  A loss is a loss regardless of margin and yet we have the qb and  the potential to be dominant.
 

 Buffalo shouldn’t waste this time , as we can’t not progress as the others may move past us. Mcd being a d minded coach , drafting that way, needs to re think how to be the best version of this team.  Just opinions from others as we squeaked out a win Saturday. I love Mcd as the ciach to lead thus franchisee forward , but it is concerning watching first year guys compete already with his roster. I hope he and Beane learn you can dominate with this qb with a great offense and nit keep so focused on drafting so much defensively oriented !  

[Chandler#81]

While Knox has been unpredictable this season, it’s important to note that our average at best OL has endured many missed games due to injury, which has forced the Tight End to chip block at least, if not stay blocking at the LOS. This has more to do with a noticeable drop in offensive production and shines an even brighter spotlight on the inconsistencies of Davis and McKenzie. Dawson hasn’t really helped either when he does break from the line -with multiple drops. Thus, Cole & Smoke have been plucked from graveyard shift stock boys at Topps Friendly Markets to try to find the fountain of youth now. We’ve already blown 3 great seasons as a top tier team. The rest of the Conference is catching up. So it’s imperative the Bills perform consistently going forward. 

[CSBill]

This may also be a bigger commitment to use the TE by Dorsey and Allen. Morris has developed and has also proven he is reliable and more athletic than I thought when he is thrown at; for example, the TD catch on Saturday.

 

I hope Saturday's game is an indicator of better things to come in how we use these guys in the passing game (I would add Gilliam, though not a true TE, he is used like one often and is also a decent pass catcher).

 

[Luka]

It would be cooler if he became established. 

[78thealltimegreat]

9 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

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:

 

 

He better or it was a waste of 45 million dollars. 

[Ramza86]

If they are going to continue putting 4 eyes on Diggs then we have to continue to create plays that get other guys open.

[Rubes]

Interesting...

 

 

[NewEra]

4 hours ago, CSBill said:

This may also be a bigger commitment to use the TE by Dorsey and Allen. Morris has developed and has also proven he is reliable and more athletic than I thought when he is thrown at; for example, the TD catch on Saturday.

 

I hope Saturday's game is an indicator of better things to come in how we use these guys in the passing game (I would add Gilliam, though not a true TE, he is used like one often and is also a decent pass catcher).

 

Love Morris.  I’m hoping that we go to more 2TE looks and utilize him more.  He’s got some juice and is a matchup problem vs safeties and some WRs.  He dusted Javon Holland for the TD

[FilthyBeast]

Forget being cool, given the amount of money he's getting paid he really should be the clear cut #2 option on this team.

 

No excuse for him not to be used more down the stretch, especially out of 11 personnel groupings.

[SCBills]

I don't think it's a coincidence that our Offense starts figuring things out when Josh Allen is given free reign to run.  

 

We have an average OL, average running backs and above average/not elite receiving weaponry.  

 

When teams have to be mindful of gap integrity because Allen may just take off.. the OL looks better. 

 

When teams are worried of Allen as a runner, the RB's look better.   

 

When teams are worried of Allen as a runner, the passing game opens up for guys like Knox and Davis.

 

This could also be accomplished with a better OL, better conventional running game and/or more investment in weaponry... but as it stands, Allen is what opens all that up when he's unleashed. 

[BuffaloBillsGospel2014]

I'm giving him a pass this year, dude lost his brother and who knows what he is going through. It seems things are clicking again so lets hope we get the best version of Knox just in time for the playoffs.

[LeGOATski]

While looking at the receiver numbers a few weeks ago, it was a little surprising to see that Knox is allowed the most cushion, gets the most separation, and has the highest catch % of all Bills receivers.

 

He's been available pretty much all season and it only requires a conscious decision by Dorsey and Allen to use him. As it stands, he's an underrated weapon heading into the playoffs and primed for a good run if they make him a focus of the offense alongside Diggs.

[ArtVandalay]

12 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

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:

 

 

I would LOVE for him to grow as a player, his contract says that's 100% expected and required of him. As a team we need that too.

 

When he gets the 2nd 100 yard game of his career I will be very excited, and hopefully many more. 

[damj]

Yeah ... especially since we made him one of the highest paid TEs because we expect him to do just that