As Week 12 of the NFL season approaches, fantasy football managers face the crucial decision of choosing between Dawson Knox of the Buffalo Bills and Dalton Schultz of the Houston Texans. Both tight ends present unique challenges, mainly due to the overall performance of their respective offenses.
Dawson Knox: A Risky Option
Dawson Knox has been primarily serving as the TE2 for Buffalo this season, especially since his teammate, Dalton Kincaid, suffered a hamstring injury two weeks ago. Knox’s recent performance has been underwhelming, accumulating only 10 PPR points in the past few games. This limited production has made him a less reliable choice for fantasy managers.
Buffalo’s offensive strategy, spearheaded by coordinator Joe Brady, often spreads the ball among various players. This approach complicates Knox’s fantasy value, as evidenced by his inconsistent target share. Despite the potential for breakout games, Knox’s reliance on touchdowns makes him a risky starter against the Texans.
Dalton Schultz: Improving Performance
Dalton Schultz has shown improvement, averaging 10.6 PPR points per game this season. More notably, his performance surged to an average of 12.9 PPR points over the last six games, despite a disappointing outing in Week 7. With QB Davis Mills now starting, Schultz’s target share has significantly increased to 24.4% in recent games, which boosts his fantasy potential moving forward.
However, facing the Bills will pose a challenge. They currently boast the best fantasy defense against tight ends, allowing an average of only 6.0 fantasy points per game. Mills may utilize Schultz as a safety valve, especially if the Texans find themselves needing to pass frequently during the game.
Comparison of Matchups
| Player | Team | Fantasy Points Per Game | Recent Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dawson Knox | Buffalo Bills | 2.5 (last few games) | 10 total PPR points since Kincaid’s injury |
| Dalton Schultz | Houston Texans | 10.6 (season average) | 12.9 over last 6 games |
Final Thoughts
Both tight ends face difficult matchups going into Week 12, making them less than ideal options for fantasy lineups. While Knox presents a high-risk play due to his inconsistent production and Buffalo’s strategy, Schultz offers a bit more reliability with his recent target share increase. Ultimately, fantasy managers should assess their options and consider lineups that can provide higher ceilings.
