Now that Kincaid has proven he can be an excellent tight end on his own, Knox may be disposable. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may benefit.
Ryan Heckman of The Pewter Plank suggested that the Buccaneers trade for Knox, who made the Pro Bowl in 2022. This might provide a backup alternative to current starter Cade Otton, or even replace Otton as the starting.
“One position Bucs fans thought the team might address this offseason is at tight end,” Heckman stated. “However, Tampa Bay did nothing significant there. Instead, they’ll go into the 2024 season with Cade Otton as the starter, unless someone unexpectedly steps forward to take the position.
“Or the Bucs could try to make a trade for a player like Dawson Knox.” The Bills drafted Dalton Kincaid in the first round last year and plan to employ both at times in 2023. But, as the Bills navigate a post-Stefon Diggs era, dealing Knox could make some sense. Buffalo will likely try to feature youngster Keon Coleman and veteran Curtis Samuel, while also looking ahead to next year’s offseason to add more talent.”
Knox Has Talent to Still Be Featured. Tight End
For the past five seasons, Knox has been one of Buffalo’s most consistent offensive contributors.
In 2021, he set career highs in receptions (49), receiving yards (587), and touchdowns (9), and he followed it with 48 receptions for 517 yards and 6 scores in 2022, on route to the Pro Bowl.
Knox missed five games due to a wrist injury in 2023 and finished with career lows in receptions (22), receiving yards (186) and touchdowns. In his absence, Kincaid demonstrated his potential as an outstanding tight end, recording 73 receptions for 673 yards and two touchdowns.
Should Knox be able to return to form in 2024, he could be a viable TE1 option for the Buccaneers ahead of Otton, a fourth-round pick in 2022 who started all 17 games in 2023 and finished with 47 receptions for 455 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Bucs are historically weak at tight end.
The Buccaneers have little to no history at tight end, with no player in franchise history earning NFL All-Pro honours.
Dave Moore is the last tight end to make the Pro Bowl in 2006, but only on a technicality; he was listed as a tight end on the roster but made the Pro Bowl as a long snapper, with only one reception for 9 yards that season.
The Buccaneers have only had one genuinely dominant tight end in franchise history: Jimmie Giles, who played for Tampa Bay from 1978 to 1986 and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. Giles had over 600 receiving yards three times in that stretch, including a career-high 45 receptions for 786 yards and 6 touchdowns in 1981.
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