Dawson Knox Bio
Dawson Alan Knox is an American professional football tight end for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels before being selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Over the course of his professional career, Knox has developed into a reliable receiving threat and red-zone target, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2022. Beyond football, he is known for his charitable work and his resilience in the face of personal tragedy.
Early Life and Background
Dawson Alan Knox was born on November 14, 1996, in Brentwood, Tennessee. He grew up in Brentwood and attended St. Paul Christian Academy before transferring to Brentwood Academy, where he completed his high school career. At Brentwood Academy, Knox played wide receiver and quarterback for the Eagles football team, demonstrating his athletic versatility from a young age.
His senior season was cut short when he played in only one game due to an ankle injury, a setback that nonetheless did not derail his football ambitions. Knox came from a family with athletic roots, and his younger brother, Luke Knox, would later follow a football path of his own. These formative experiences in Tennessee laid the foundation for his eventual move into college football.
Path to Professional Football
Following high school, Knox joined the University of Mississippi, known athletically as the Ole Miss Rebels, in 2015 as a walk-on fullback. He spent four seasons with the program from 2015 through 2018, gradually developing his pass-catching skills and proving his value as an offensive contributor. During his college career, Knox recorded 39 receptions for 605 receiving yards.
After his junior season in 2018, Knox made the decision to forgo his senior year and declare for the 2019 NFL Draft. His combination of size, athleticism, and receiving potential caught the attention of NFL scouts, ultimately leading to his selection by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the draft.
Dawson Knox Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
The Buffalo Bills selected Dawson Alan Knox with the 96th overall pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He signed his rookie contract with the team on June 14, 2019. Knox wasted little time making an impact at the professional level, catching his first NFL touchdown from quarterback Josh Allen against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 of the 2019 season. In that same game, he contributed to a game-winning drive by hauling in a 49-yard reception. He finished his rookie year with 28 catches for 388 yards and two touchdowns.
The 2020 season presented challenges, as Knox was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in October after testing positive for the virus before being activated in November. He appeared in 12 games with seven starts, recording 24 receptions for 288 yards and three touchdowns. In the postseason, Knox contributed to Buffalo’s Wild Card Round victory over the Indianapolis Colts with a receiving touchdown, and added another score in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Breakthrough Seasons (2021–2022)
Knox emerged as a featured part of the Bills’ passing attack during the 2021 season. He posted two receiving touchdowns in a Week 4 rout of the Houston Texans and followed that with three receptions for 117 yards and a score against the Kansas City Chiefs. On Thanksgiving Day against the New Orleans Saints, Knox caught two more touchdowns to surpass the franchise record for most receiving touchdowns in a season by a tight end.
On September 7, 2022, the Bills rewarded Knox’s production with a four-year, $53.6 million contract extension, establishing him among the top-paid tight ends in the league. He capped the 2022 season with 48 receptions for 517 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns, performances that earned him a Pro Bowl selection. He also scored a touchdown in Buffalo’s Wild Card Round victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Buffalo Bills Era (2023–Present)
The 2023 offseason brought change, as the Bills used a first-round draft pick on tight end Dalton Kincaid to pair with Knox in two-tight-end sets. Knox’s season was interrupted in late October when he underwent wrist surgery and was placed on injured reserve, though he was activated in December. He finished the year with 22 receptions for 186 yards and two touchdowns, including a Wild Card Round score against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 2024, Knox recorded 22 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown while continuing to contribute as a veteran presence on offense. The 2025 season showcased his continued impact, highlighted by a 93-yard receiving performance in a Week 14 comeback win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The following week, Knox scored two touchdowns in a 35–31 victory over the New England Patriots, surpassing Pete Metzelaars for the most career touchdowns by a tight end in Bills franchise history.
Driving Style and Strengths
Knox is recognized for his reliability as a red-zone target and his ability to make contested catches in traffic. His chemistry with quarterback Josh Allen has been a defining element of his game, producing numerous scoring connections throughout their time together. He also brings value as a blocker in two-tight-end formations, allowing Buffalo to diversify its offensive schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Knox’s signature accomplishments are his 2022 Pro Bowl selection, his franchise-record-setting 2021 receiving touchdown total for a tight end, and his record-breaking 2025 performance that surpassed Pete Metzelaars for most career touchdowns by a Bills tight end. His postseason scoring contributions have also marked him as a clutch performer in high-stakes games.
Dawson Knox Career Highlights
Throughout his time with the Buffalo Bills, Dawson Alan Knox has compiled a steady stream of production as both a receiver and a touchdown-maker. From his first NFL score in 2019 to his franchise-record-setting seasons, Knox has consistently delivered for one of the league’s most competitive offenses.
NFL Regular Season and Postseason Highlights
Knox’s career receiving totals include standout years in 2021 and 2022, when he established himself as a top target for Josh Allen. He has recorded multi-touchdown games against opponents including the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, and New England Patriots. In the postseason, Knox has posted receiving touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Other Performances and Records
Knox holds the Buffalo Bills franchise record for most career touchdowns by a tight end, having surpassed long-standing marks once held by Pete Metzelaars. He also previously set the team’s single-season touchdown record for tight ends during his 2021 campaign. His selection to the Pro Bowl following the 2022 season stands as a defining individual honor.
Dawson Knox Family
Family Background and Personal Story
Dawson Alan Knox was raised in Brentwood, Tennessee, where his family nurtured his early love of football. His younger brother, Luke Knox, played linebacker for the Ole Miss Rebels and was set to play the 2022 season for the Florida International University Panthers as a graduate transfer. Luke Knox died on August 17, 2022, following a sudden hospitalization, a loss that has shaped Dawson’s outlook on life and football.
Personal Life
Knox is a Christian and has partnered with P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative, an organization founded by former Bills punter Brian Moorman, to support pediatric cancer initiatives. On November 30, 2023, Knox became engaged to personal trainer Alex Seefeldt, and the couple married in July 2024. Knox and his wife welcomed a daughter in December 2025, and he celebrated her birth with a touchdown celebration against the New England Patriots in Week 15 of that season. Knox also made a guest cameo as himself in the 2025 Hallmark Channel original film, Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has reinforced Dawson Alan Knox’s value to the Buffalo Bills as a veteran leader and reliable offensive weapon. After steady production through the early portion of the schedule, Knox elevated his game in the closing weeks, highlighted by a 93-yard receiving performance in a 39–34 comeback victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14. His late-season surge has provided quarterback Josh Allen with a trusted target in critical moments.
In Week 15 against the New England Patriots, Knox scored two touchdowns to help Buffalo erase a 21–0 deficit and win 35–31. In that same game, he surpassed Pete Metzelaars to become the Bills’ all-time leader in career touchdowns by a tight end, cementing his place in franchise history. The personal milestone coincided with the birth of his daughter, whom he honored with a touchdown celebration.
Heading into the later stages of the 2025 campaign, Knox remains a central figure in Buffalo’s offensive plans. His chemistry with Josh Allen, combined with his blocking ability in two-tight-end sets alongside Dalton Kincaid, continues to give the Bills a versatile scheme. With his contract extension running through 2026, Knox is positioned to remain a key contributor for the franchise in the seasons ahead.