Name: Dawson Knox
Position: Tight End
School: Ole Miss
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 254
Knox is one of the great enigmas at his position in the 2019 class. He has all the tools to be a great tight end, but his minimal production will call his ceiling into question. As a day two/day three pick, his stock will depend greatly on how teams feel they can unlock his immense talent.
Stats
Size
Knox looks the part of an NFL tight end. He has the length to be a red zone threat and the girth to be a solid run blocker at the next level. That said, Knox was not called upon in the red zone much at all, so it is to be seen how he uses his body in contested catch situations. Still, the frame is certainly ideal for the position.
Athleticism
As expected, Knox tested among the top tight ends at the combine. He did not run the 40, but finished in the top-six in the vertical, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. Knox’s burst off the snap is solid, but his speed is more long speed than it is quick and twitchy. When he builds up downfield, he has breakaway ability. His change-of-direction is excellent for his size, as he can create separation at all levels simply due to his quickness advantage on linebackers. Knox did not make a lot of plays after the catch. But the few times he did, plus his overall athleticism, would indicate that he could be a threat were he to get more targets in the open field.
Hands and Ball Skills
Just watch his gauntlet drill to see how smooth and natural Knox’s hands are, lone drop aside. Every catch is effortless, regardless of where the ball is. He can adjust seamlessly to off-target throws without breaking speed and can make clean grabs with his full catch radius. Knox can track the ball at every level, though his deep ball reps are few and far between. He has good concentration to make grabs in traffic and has the ability to high point balls in a crowd, though again, those examples on film are rare.
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
Route Running
With Mississippi’s offense, it is pretty tough to gauge exactly what Knox’s route-running is at this point in his progression. The overwhelming majority of his reps are from the slot, climbing up the seam and searching for gaps. He ran his share of whips and out-breaking routes, but his role was mostly as a “hit the soft spot” kind of guy. He is good at finding those soft spots, though he will sometimes carry out a route against zone when he could sit and wait.
Against man, Knox can find separation with his quickness, though his breaks could be more explosive. He will fight hands to gain route leverage when needed, and can sell vertical routes fairly well. However, the majority of his underneath breaks are fairly cookie-cutter, just running along a path. With work and more consistent reps against man coverage, Knox could develop more nuance to his routes. But right now, he simply does not have enough experience with it.
Run Blocking
Knox is fairly sound as a run blocker, though much of his role was working as an off-ball wing. He attacks his blocks aggressively, and typically gets good hand placement inside. More often than not, he sinks his hips well, driving his feet and creating movement. Knox will come in too aggressively at times, which causes him to overextend and lose his block. However, occasional technique issues aside, he has the raw tools and the willingness to be a reliable blocker.
Vikings Fit
With Ole Miss’ offense, in particular the high-level receiver talent, Knox was on the back-burner a lot in college. As such, his NFL career tends to project better than his 39-catch, zero-touchdown collegiate career. The physical attributes are there: size, athleticism, hands, aggressiveness. However, bringing all of those traits together, and making him a bigger part of the offense than he was in college, will likely take some time. Hence the reason Knox projects as a mid-to-late day two selection at the earliest.
In that range, he could figure well into the Vikings’ plan. With Kyle Rudolph probably coming back, there is not an urgent need for a rookie tight end to take on a massive role right away. Over time, Knox could at least take on more of the role David Morgan has as a blocker with the occasional target. Knox played a lot of wing tight end at Ole Miss with a fair amount of time split out into the slot. He was not on the ball nearly as often. That would require some adjustment time, as would the polish on his route-running. That said, as a pass-catching project, Knox possesses a lot of upside and could be a starter down the road while still having an impact right away.
–Sam Smith is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Vikings and Deputy Editor for Full Press NFL. Like and Follow @samc_smith.
Follow @fpc_vikings and Follow @fpc_nfl
Latest Vikings News
- NFL 2022: Football Food For Thought (Wild Card Weekend)
- Giants at Vikings: Playoff Preview and Prediction
- NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Wild Card Weekend
- Listing The Best Possible Super Bowl LVII Matchups
- Giants at Vikings: Preview and Prediction
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
Biggs sits down with Kenneth Berry from the Tangents And Touchdowns […]
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
-
Episode 80 Criss Partee discusses NBA trade rumorsby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 6:25 am
-
Ep. 261: Nashville Elite Owner Tahnesia Richmondby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Monday, January 30thby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:38 pm
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowlby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
-
Hawks at Blazersby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 10:30 pm
-
Raptors at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 9:30 pm
-
Pistons at Mavsby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 8:30 pm
-
Wizards at Spursby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Baylor at Texasby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 7:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm