BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Bills have added a tight end to their 2019 Draft Class.
As part of a trade with the Washington Redskins, the Buffalo Bills selected Ole Miss tight end Dawson Knox with the 96th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. It was their third pick of the night and second of the third round. In return, the Bills sent the Redskins both of their fourth round picks (112th and 131st overall).
Knox played three seasons with the Rebels. In 2018 he had 15 receptions for 284 yards for an average of 18.9 yards per catch. He was named to the 2018 Mackey Award Watch List and to the 2018 Preseason All-SEC Third Team.
The Bills currently have four more picks to make on Saturday. Round four begins at 12 p.m.
Joe B's Take
- Rather than standing idly by, Bills GM Brandon Beane thought the odds were slim that Dawson Knox found his way to 112th overall, and instead made the move to add a developmental tight end with quite a bit of upside if brought along correctly. Knox joins a completely revamped tight end group and could contribute as early as this season.
He fits the mold of what the Bills usually look for at tight end, having the prototypical frame (6-foot-4 and 3/8-inch, 254 pounds) and length (33 1/2-inch arms). It's yet another example to add to the long list that the Bills believe firmly in the prototypes.
As a player, Knox's strongest attribute at this point is his eagerness in both pass and run blocking. His goal in run blocking is to crush the opposition lined up in front of him, though it sometimes leads to some bad reps.
He also shows a strength in mirroring his opposition as a pass blocker, which is a difficult proposition for some at the position. He has the potential to develop in further in this area, which sometimes is the toughest thing to teach to a tight end that possesses the athletic traits teams covet.
Make no mistake, Knox has the speed and some fluidity to a potential starter at the NFL level once he learns the nuances of an NFL offense. He shows good ability to come down with a contested catch, but still needs to develop as a route runner based on what I saw.
Besides that, Knox showed plenty of versatility in the Ole Miss offense, lining up in-line, in the backfield, as an h-back, and even split out wide. Having that flexibility is crucial for the offense of Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
Knox will begin as the complementary tight end to Tyler Kroft, who will likely be the top option for the 2019 season while the rookie develops. Knox could face some competition from Jason Croom to be that second tight end, but is already much more developed as a blocker, which already gives the rookie the edge for the TE2 role.
Teams always look for gems that can develop into big-time starters at tight end, and the Bills hope they'll get one in Knox.
