The bar is pretty high for a once unknown prospect for the Buffalo Bills.
When drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the team, tight end Dawson Knox wasn’t a well-known prospect. Flash forward a year later, and the former quarterback turned tight end has many folks, both inside and outside the Bills locker room, eagerly waiting to see what he can do in 2020.
After highlight reel plays, like his steamrolling of the Bengals secondary, fans are naturally excited with anticipation. But over the course of the offseason, his teammates have spoken up, too. John Brown previously predicted a big season for him, and even more recently, Stefon Diggs dubbed Knox “Mr. Stiff Arm.”
If Knox does reach big heights, his ceiling is probably something George Kittle-like. The All-Pro tight end for the 49ers is among the NFL’s best tight ends. A modern-day weapon at the position that can do it all. Buffalo would absolutely love to see that, especially since it’s something the team has never featured on offense.
In order to achieve those heights, Knox put in work this offseason in order to fix his hands in regard to a problem with drops, and he focused on his blocking as well, he said on Friday via a video conference call from training camp. But Knox also did what might be the most sensible thing in order to become the most Kittle-like he can.
Knox ended up working out with Kittle himself this offseason in Nashville, he revealed.
“Just watching what he does on film is amazing. He’ll go block a D-end and then go run a corner [route] and score a touchdown. I think it’s really fun to see his athleticism in space… the way he creates separation,” Knox said. “He’s hard to bring down, too. If I was only to watch one person right now, I’d probably watch him.”
After leading the NFL with 10 drops last season, Knox definitely has a ways to go to look anything like Kittle, who led the league in receptions per game among tight ends in 2019. Hopefully getting a first-hand look and possible advice from Kittle could be something the now second-year pro can lean on as he looks forward to Year 2.
Regardless, we’ll get a head-to-head look at Knox and Kittle next season as the Bills visit the 49ers for a late-season Monday Night Football extravaganza.
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