Tight end Dawson Knox first met Dalton Kincaid on a golf range in 2023, marking the beginning of a close relationship between the two players. Their initial meeting involved hitting drives while blindfolded for a video, and Knox quickly realized that Kincaid would bring energy and humor to the Buffalo Bills’ tight end group.
“I don’t think you can find a single guy that can say a bad word about [Kincaid],” Knox said. “He always has a smile on his face, he can always make you laugh, he’s just a great guy, man. Guys like that are real easy to be friends with.”
Knox described how Kincaid is often his partner during home games at Highmark Stadium when “Mr. Brightside” plays, energizing fans and celebrating touchdowns together. Beyond personality, Kincaid’s arrival in 2023 helped ease some of the workload for Knox, who had previously played nearly 90 percent of tight end snaps.
As a rookie, Kincaid recorded 73 receptions for 673 yards and two touchdowns—numbers that set team records for rookie tight ends and ranked second among all rookies in franchise history. An injury limited his production in 2024, but by 2025 he had returned to form with 27 catches for 411 yards and four touchdowns so far.
In Week 9 against Kansas City this season, Kincaid caught all six passes thrown his way for 101 yards and scored the game’s first touchdown. He also posted six receptions for 108 yards against New England.
“[Kincaid] was in the building every single day working out doing what he has to do both in rehab but also just continuing to be able to play a full [2024] season in the NFL. He has such a unique skill set that is so valuable to us. And you guys all know when healthy what he brings to our offense … He’s a huge component to who we are,” offensive coordinator Joe Brady said last summer. “And his work ethic in the offseason – obviously, we’re only Day 2 in, but I’m excited to really see it kind of progress.”
The competition within the tight end room increased with Jackson Hawes joining after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft following five seasons at Yale and one at Georgia Tech.
“I think anytime you get somebody new in the room who’s competitive, I think it definitely pushes you to be a better version of yourself,” Kincaid said about Hawes. “I think really [he’s] elevated everyone in the room.”
Hawes is recognized more for his blocking than receiving skills. His presence allowed Buffalo’s offense to use more dynamic formations; at least two tight ends have played on nearly one-third of snaps so far this year—a significant increase from previous seasons.
Now sharing playing time with Kincaid and Hawes, Knox noted that having more depth helps extend his career as he now plays about half of offensive snaps after signing an extension through 2026.
Knox has contributed nine catches for 118 yards and one touchdown this season; over his career with Buffalo he has accumulated over two thousand receiving yards and twenty-four touchdowns.
Knox continues learning from teammates: “A route runner, pass catcher, vertical to red, all of the above, even run option routes,” Knox said regarding Kincaid’s strengths. “Just seeing how his game has evolved over the last few years helps me too… It’s fun to pick his brain on some of that route stuff…”
For Hawes, blocking remains central: “You got to do everything on offense except the obvious… sometimes you even get to run the ball … it’s a good test of athletic ability,” Hawes said. “And I feel like tight ends are just always like the glue of the offense and of the team…”
Knox praised Hawes’ blocking abilities: “Based on what I’ve seen, [Hawes is] the best blocking rookie that I’ve ever seen come into the NFL… So that dynamic ability is something that’s really awesome…”
Reggie Gilliam added: “We all get so excited for [Hawes] because he’s such a strong-handed blocker… So, he really brings that versatility to our offense.”
Kincaid’s chemistry with quarterback Josh Allen continues improving as does his versatility as both receiver and blocker.
“Just the impact Hawes has had blocking is huge… I think anytime you get somebody new in the room who’s competitive… it’s elevated everyone in the room,” Kincaid said.
Brady emphasized their intelligence: “All of those guys all contribute in the pass game… They’re such an intelligent group that they don’t blink.”
Against Kansas City recently, Buffalo’s tight ends accounted for more than half of passing yardage gained during that game.
“I thought the tight ends… were outstanding,” Brady said. “I thought they were players of the game…”
Kincaid credited Knox as an important mentor: “Since day one, [Knox has] just been an awesome mentor both on and off field and someone I want to be…”
Off-field relationships remain important as well; weekly dinners help strengthen bonds beyond football responsibilities.
“It’s hard for me to herd cats…” Knox joked about scheduling these gatherings as leadership transitions from him toward younger teammates like Kincaid.
“I love those guys… I’m so thankful for men they are…” Knox concluded.
