The Denver Broncos are going to be exploring their options at the tight end position this offseason and one player they could target is currently under contract with another team.
That player is Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox, who FanSided's Chris Landers believes is as good as gone from Buffalo.
Landers predicts the Bills will cut Knox and his $29 million contract, which will send him to free agency, where he should draw interest.
"Knox has done yeoman's work as an all-around tight end during his time in Buffalo, but he's on the wrong side of 30 now, and the Bills can save some $11 million in cap space by cutting him this offseason," he said. "That feels like a necessary if difficult choice, given the emergence of Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo's needs elsewhere and the ability to find a blocking TE2 for relatively cheap."
Once Knox hits free agency, Landers believes his new home will be in Denver with the Broncos.
"Denver needs a steady option on the cheap to both provide a safety blanket for Bo Nix and help blocking in the run game. Dawson isn't a primary option at this point in his career, but he's a helpful and versatile piece, one that Sean Payton should know what to do with," Landers said.
Knox has been a steady pair of hands for the Bills during his career. He is a more-than serviceable pass-catcher and can contribute as a blocker.
As Landers points out, the Bills have Dalton Kincaid, who is the team's clear-cut TE1, which makes continuing to pay Knox a shaky decision, at best.
It's true that Kincaid has had issues staying healthy the past two seasons, so that could leave the Bills hesitant to cut Knox.
However, Buffalo also has 2025 fifth-round pick Jackson Hawes, who showed some flashes as a pass-catcher and blocker during his rookie campaign.
If the Bills think Hawes can step into Knox's current role, Buffalo cutting ties with the veteran tight end becomes much more likely, especially when you consider Buffalo's desperate need for cap space.
We could see the Broncos having interest in Knox, who would be a much-needed cheaper option for Denver, a team that is already paying a significant amount of money to Evan Engram, who has been a disappointment overall.
It wouldn't be crazy to see the Broncos cut ties with Engram, although simply replacing him with Knox wouldn't be enough and Denver would need to sign someone who is a better pass-catcher to pair with Knox.
If the Broncos can enter the 2026 campaign with a tight end depth chart led by both Engram and Knox, Denver will be in a better spot than it currently is at the position.
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