Heading into the 2025 draft, the Buffalo Bills already had a strong tight end duo in Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid—both reliable targets for quarterback Josh Allen and fan favorites among the Bills Mafia.
But Buffalo wasn’t content to stand pat.
Looking to bolster their blocking game, the Bills selected Jaxson Hawes from Georgia Tech in the fifth round. While Hawes isn’t expected to shine as a pass-catcher, he’s demonstrated strong blocking skills that could fit seamlessly into any offensive system.
That said, the Bills’ plans for Hawes don’t necessarily limit his potential—there’s still room for him to develop into a more versatile player.
The fact that Buffalo invested a draft pick in a blocking tight end may hint at a shift in the tight end depth chart, possibly signaling that Knox’s role could be diminished.
“Dawson Knox is currently our best blocker,” said GM Brandon Beane. “To his credit, he came in as more of a receiving tight end and has grown into a three-down player. If he were to miss time, now we have the option to pair Hawes with him in certain packages, and that could lighten the load on [Dalton] Kincaid. It adds more flexibility to how we align offensively. If something were to happen to Knox, we’d feel confident in Hawes stepping in as a blocker.”
Does this mean Knox is on the chopping block? That’s pure speculation.
So for now, no—Knox isn’t going anywhere. But if the Bills plan to lean on more two-tight end formations, someone will have to take a back seat.
Given Hawes’ standout blocking ability, he’s a player to watch as the team shapes its offense moving forward.