Daniel Graham is a career quality starter — a tight end whose body of work places Graham in the top half of all players at the position historically. The Knox model values sustained contribution over flash, and Graham's career arc reflects exactly that kind of reliable professional-grade performance.

TENO#89CUT

Daniel Graham

Top 27% all-time TEsHigh-End Starter🌅 Early Bloomer · 2003Two-Way Profile

Height6'3"

Weight257 lb

BornNov 16, 1978

Age47

CollegeColorado See College Stats

Rookie yr2002

Draft2002 · Rd 1, Pick 21 · NE

Archetype Intelligence

High-End StarterExplore archetypes →

A quality tight end with a top 30% among starters — a legitimate starter who contributed meaningfully across their career.

Career Value · VORP

VORP 75 · #1510 · Above Average

Worth 75 points of value above a freely-available replacement tight end — top 34% of all 4,642 ranked at the position. 9 of 10 seasons cleared the replacement bar, by +8.3 on average.See board →

Seasons above replacement

9 cleared

Beat replacement (adds to VORP) Below it — adds 0, never a debit

Replacement

the KC-H bar

→

Seasons over

cleared the bar

+8.3

Avg surplus

peak +19

9 seasons × ~8.3 surplus ≈ VORP 75

Combined Season Grid

The full season-by-season grids, joined on one timeline. Every selected stat family stays visible at once—no tab hopping.

3 grids split in one view

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Receiving									Defense													Advanced (EPA)
Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	TD	Ctch%	Y/R	Y/Tgt	AirYd/T	1D	Tkl	Solo	Ast	TFL	QBHits	Sk	Dis	Int	PD	FF	FR	TD	Sfty	Pass EPA	Rush EPA	Rec EPA	Pass AirYd	Rec AirYd
2002	—	NE	10	—	23	15	150	1	65.2%	10.0	6.5	—	7	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2002	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	5.0	0	0
2003	—	NE	13	—	38	38	409	4	100.0%	10.8	10.8	—	21	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2003	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	28.2	0	0
2004	—	NE	12	—	30	30	364	7	100.0%	12.1	12.1	—	20	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2004	—	MIA	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3	3	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	1	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2004	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	36.6	0	0
2005	—	NE	7	—	16	16	235	3	100.0%	14.7	14.7	—	9	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2005	—	IND	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2005	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	18.9	0	0
2006	—	NE	11	—	20	20	223	2	100.0%	11.2	11.2	—	11	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006	—	GB	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2006	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	14.3	0	132
2007	—	DEN	11	—	24	24	246	2	100.0%	10.3	10.3	—	12	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007	—	JAX	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2007	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	21.4	0	142
2008	—	DEN	14	—	32	32	389	4	100.0%	12.2	12.2	—	20	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2008	—	KC	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2008	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	32.8	0	190
2009	—	DEN	15	—	43	28	289	1	65.1%	10.3	6.7	—	14	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009	—	WAS	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2009	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	-0.7	0	120
2010	—	DEN	14	—	37	18	148	0	48.6%	8.2	4.0	—	5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2010	—	ARI	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3	3	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2010	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	-4.1	0	231
2011	—	TEN	5	—	5	2	25	1	40.0%	12.5	5.0	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1.3	0	27
Career		—	122	—	268	223	2,478	25	83.2%	11.1	9.2	—	121	11	11	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	1	—	0	0	—	—	153.6	0	842

Career EPA153.6·154 receiving·15.4/season

Receiving

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	TD	Ctch%	Y/R	Y/Tgt	AirYd/T	1D	VAL
2002	24	NE	10	—	23	15	150	1	65.2%	10.0	6.5	—	7	4.8
2003	25	NE	13	—	38	38	409	4	100.0%	10.8	10.8	—	21	11.8
2004	26	NE	12	—	30	30	364	7	100.0%	12.1	12.1	—	20	11.7
2005	27	NE	7	—	16	16	235	3	100.0%	14.7	14.7	—	9	6.1
2006	28	NE	11	—	20	20	223	2	100.0%	11.2	11.2	—	11	6
2007	29	DEN	11	—	24	24	246	2	100.0%	10.3	10.3	—	12	6
2008	30	DEN	14	—	32	32	389	4	100.0%	12.2	12.2	—	20	10.5
2009	31	DEN	15	—	43	28	289	1	65.1%	10.3	6.7	—	14	7.7
2010	32	DEN	14	—	37	18	148	0	48.6%	8.2	4.0	—	5	5.2
2011	33	TEN	5	—	5	2	25	1	40.0%	12.5	5.0	—	2	2.2
Career			112		268	223	2,478	25	83.2%	11.1	9.2	—	121	72

Defense

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Tkl	Solo	Sk	Dis	FF	FR
2004	26	MIA	2	—	3	3	0.0	0.0	1	—
2005	27	IND	1	—	1	1	0.0	0.0	0	—
2006	28	GB	1	—	1	1	0.0	0.0	0	—
2007	29	JAX	1	—	1	1	0.0	0.0	0	—
2008	30	KC	1	—	1	1	0.0	0.0	0	—
2009	31	WAS	1	—	1	1	0.0	0.0	0	—
2010	32	ARI	3	—	3	3	0.0	0.0	0	—
Career			10		11	11	—	—	1	—

Advanced (EPA)

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Pass EPA	Rush EPA	Rec EPA	Rec AirYd
2002	24	—	—	—	—	—	5.0	0
2003	25	—	—	—	—	—	28.2	0
2004	26	—	—	—	—	—	36.6	0
2005	27	—	—	—	—	—	18.9	0
2006	28	—	—	—	—	—	14.3	132
2007	29	—	—	—	—	—	21.4	142
2008	30	—	—	—	—	—	32.8	190
2009	31	—	—	—	—	—	-0.7	120
2010	32	—	—	—	—	—	-4.1	231
2011	33	—	—	—	—	—	1.3	27
Career					—	—	—	842

KV-H Anatomy

KV-H 57 · Strong Starter

A strong starter career by KV-H: a peak-driven profile that scores 57 of 100, era-normalized against rec yds/g peers across 10 scored seasons.

Sustained

career value

×.6

Peak

best 3 seasons

×.4

×1

Longevity

career length

Blend 57 × longevity 1 = KV-H 57· confidence 95%

What builds the career mark of 53

On-field 38.3

Availability 14.7

On-field production Staying available

Season-by-season quality (era-relative rec yds/g)

2002bestavg 512011

All-Time Standing

how this career measures against the all-time greats at the position

Depth

of 100

Reached 14% of the all-time Receptions leader — a rotational/depth all-time profile at the position.

14% of the all-time Receptions leader14

0 categories ≥25% of the all-time leader0

15.36 EPA/season over 10 seasons55

A 0–100 scale where 100 = matched the all-time leaderat this position. Built only from visible encyclopedia data — career production vs. the all-time leader, plus efficiency (EPA) and comparable-player confidence — so it's a transparent context score, not a subjective rating. Tiers: Elite ≥ 85 · Strong ≥ 65 · Solid ≥ 45 · Depth < 45. Comparable-player confidence: 89%.

Career Aging Trajectory

vs. position group average · KV-H basis

Amber = this player (normalized to own peak). Indigo = average tight ends aging curve. Group peak age: 25. Source: StatVault KV-H era (1999+).

Combine · 2002

Percentiles compare each raw measurement against position peers, the full combine pool, and the same draft class where enough samples exist.

TE · 2002 class

4.64s

40-Yard

Above avg · 74th pct

Pos 74thAll 52thClass Pos 87thClass All 56th

36"

Vertical

Strong · 80th pct

Pos 80thAll 73thClass Pos 82thClass All 68th

118"

Broad Jump

Above avg · 64th pct

Pos 64thAll 55thClass Pos 88thClass All 61th

Playoff vs Regular Season

📊 Consistent

Yards / Reception: 11.1 regular season → 11.0 playoffs (4 playoff seasons)

-1%

vs reg season

Postseason Career

9 playoff games

Receiving

Tgt13Rec13Yds143TD1Ctch%100.0%Y/R11.0Y/Tgt11.01D8

Advanced (EPA)

Rec EPA8.3Rec AirYd61

College Stats

ColoradoCollege listed; stat table pending import

College stats are not imported for this profile yet.

StatVault has the verified college attribution (Colorado), but no parsed college box-score table is present in this profile artifact. The section stays here so every profile has a consistent college-stats landing point without fabricating unavailable rows.

Reference Graph

Career teammates and draft class, derived from year-by-year rosters — every name is linked.

2002 Draft Class· this player went #21

#13Donte' StallworthWR #14Jeremy ShockeyTE #15Albert HaynesworthDT #16William GreenRB #17Phillip BuchanonDB #18T.J. DuckettRB #19Ashley LelieWR #20Javon WalkerWR #22Bryan ThomasOLB #23Napoleon HarrisMLB #24Ed ReedFS #25Charles GrantDE #26Lito SheppardCB #27Mike RumphDB #28Jerramy StevensTE #29Marc ColomboOT

Franchise Succession

the room, before and after

Daniel inherited the New England Patriots TE room from Christian Fauria (2002–2005), and handed it to Benjamin Watson (2004–2019).

Lin Dawson 1981–1989Eric Sievers 1989–1990Marv Cook 1989–1993Ben Coates 1991–1999John Burke 1994–1996Lovett Purnell

Similar Players

Statistical + physical similarity across every player in the database, position-relevant (0–100%).

Movementderived from season history

2011team change
Joined TEN (from DEN)
2011final season
Last recorded season with TEN
2007team change
Joined DEN (from NE)
2002draft
Drafted by NE — Round 1, Pick 21

Athletic & Unique Profile

verified measurements and curated source-tagged facts

6'3" / 257 lb

Frame

248 lb at 4.64s

Size-speed

36" vert / 118" broad

Explosion

Injury History

1 career game missed (Out)

From nflverse weekly injury reports · coverage begins 2009.

Season	Team	Games Out	Designations
2012	NO	1	W8Out· Knee
2011	TEN	0	W17Questionable· Illness
2009	DEN	0	W17Questionable· Knee

Knox

StatVault's proprietary player intelligence, informed by full career data. How Knox works →

Historical Knox · KV-H

Era-normalized career quality — z-scored against 10-season peers. See all →

peak 63

Season Report Cards· KV-H era-normalized per season

C2002

B2003

B2004

C+2005

C+2006

C+2007

B2008

C+2009

C2010

F2011

Availability

Career durability — games played vs. scheduled, across 10 seasons.

70%

Era Translator

Rec Yds translated to the 2025NFL — each season's standing among its own-era peers, projected onto 2025's scoring environment. Modern-era (1999+) coverage.

Season	Actual Rec Yds	Rec Yds/G	→ 2025 Rec Yds	→ 2025 /G
2002	150	15	282+132	16.6
2003	409	31.5	625+216	36.8
2004	364	30.3	596+232	35
2005	235	33.6	625+390	36.8
2006	223	20.3	343+120	20.2
2007	246	22.4	380+134	22.4
2008	389	27.8	478+89	28.1
2009	289	19.3	310+21	18.3
2010	148	10.6	174+26	10.2
2011	25	5	94+69	5.5

Data: nflverse:players, nflverse:player_stats, nflverse:player_stats_def, nflverse:combine, nflverse:draft_picks, nflverse:advanced-epa (CC-BY 4.0), nflverse:injuries · multi-source verified via the StatVault Oracle · updated 6/18/2026

Career Value · VORP

75 career value over replacement — #1510 all-time of 4,642. 7.5/season above a replacement-level TE.

Draft OutcomeValue ↑

Pick #21 (Rd 1) · NE · 2002 · +0.5 vs expected KV-H

57actual

56.5 expected · Δ+0.5

Fan Rating

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Daniel Graham

Archetype Intelligence

Career Value · VORP

Combined Season Grid

Receiving

Defense

Advanced (EPA)

KV-H Anatomy

All-Time Standing

Career Aging Trajectory

Combine · 2002

Postseason Career

Receiving

Advanced (EPA)

College Stats

Reference Graph

Top Teammates

2002 Draft Class· this player went #21

Franchise Succession

Similar Players

Movementderived from season history

Athletic & Unique Profile

Injury History

Knox

Era Translator

Career Geography