Who Should I Start? T.J. Hockenson or Dawson Knox

Thursday, February 12, 8:02 AM

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson had an underwhelming season as the team endured poor quarterback play and inconsistency at the position. Hockenson played 15 games in 2025, starting all of them. He caught 51 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns, posting the lowest receiving yards total and fantasy points per game mark since he was a rookie. He ultimately finished as the overall TE26 in full-PPR leagues. Although it's fair to blame the trio of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer for Hockenson's frustrating year, that doesn't mean he'll magically bounce back in 2026. McCarthy is due back as the Vikings' quarterback next season. Interestingly, Hockenson also struggled with Sam Darnold as his quarterback in 2024, so he really hasn't been a trustworthy fantasy tight end since Kirk Cousins quarterbacked the Vikings in 2023. Hockenson is under contract for two more years, but the Vikings have a potential out this offseason. If Minnesota releases Hockenson post-June 1, they would create $15.96 million in cap space while taking on $5.34 million in dead money. It certainly wouldn't hurt the Vikings to keep the veteran tight end to help support McCarthy's development, but we also wouldn't be surprised to see the team's next general manager capitalize on this opportunity to create cap space.

Tuesday, February 10, 2:42 PM

The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia lists Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox as a cut candidate this offseason. The Bills can save $9.664 million if they were to cut Knox, who caught 36 of his 49 targets for 417 yards and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in 2025. Buffalo already has Dalton Kincaid and Jackson Hawes, players with complementary skill sets, and the team has already committed to giving Kincaid his fifth-year option for 2027. Hawes is signed through 2028. Knox has a solid blend of both pass-catching and blocking skills, and he's also one of quarterback Josh Allen's best friends on the team, which makes a decision to cut him more difficult. Ultimately, saving over $9 million will probably trump everything else. Buffalo currently projects to be over the 2026 salary cap by just $7 million. The 29-year-old Knox might see a bump in fantasy value if he joins a new team.