Ken Dilger ranks in the all-time elite tier for tight ends — a career that places Dilger in the top 10% of all players at the position. The Knox value model assigns Dilger a career score of 73, reflecting sustained impact that most players at the position never approach.

TETB#85ACT

Ken Dilger

1× Pro BowlTop 7% all-time TEsIron Man📉 Fades · -14% playoffs 🌅 Early Bloomer · 2000Two-Way Profile

Height6'5"

Weight250 lb

BornFeb 2, 1971

Age55

CollegeIllinois See College Stats

Rookie yr1995

Draft1995 · Rd 2, Pick 48 · IND

All-Time Rank & Honors

career ranks, postseason ranks, awards, title context

Pro Bowls

Archetype Intelligence

Iron ManExplore archetypes →

A high-end tight end defined as much by exceptional availability — almost never missed time as by their on-field impact (top 10% all-time). Coaches and teammates could count on them being available.

Career Value · VORP

VORP 220 · #316 · Elite

Worth 220 points of value above a freely-available replacement tight end — top 8% of all 4,642 ranked at the position. 10 of 10 seasons cleared the replacement bar, by +22 on average.See board →

Seasons above replacement

10 cleared

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

Replacement

the KC-H bar

→

Seasons over

cleared the bar

+22

Avg surplus

peak +41

10 seasons × ~22 surplus ≈ VORP 220

Combined Season Grid

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

4 grids split in one view

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Receiving									Passing													Defense													Advanced (EPA)
Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	TD	Ctch%	Y/R	Y/Tgt	AirYd/T	1D	Cmp	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	Int	TD%	Int%	Y/A	AdjY/A	TD:INT	Rate	Sk	Tkl	Solo	Ast	TFL	QBHits	Sk	Dis	Int	PD	FF	FR	TD	Sfty	Pass EPA	Rush EPA	Rec EPA	Pass AirYd	Rec AirYd
1995	—	IND	13	—	—	42	635	4	—	15.1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1996	—	IND	16	—	—	42	503	4	—	12.0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1997	—	IND	14	—	—	27	380	3	—	14.1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1998	—	IND	16	—	—	31	303	1	—	9.8	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1999	—	IND	15	—	51	40	479	2	78.4%	12.0	9.4	—	28	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1999	—	WAS	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3	3	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
1999	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	25.2	0	0
2000	—	IND	15	—	72	47	538	3	65.3%	11.4	7.5	—	27	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2000	—	NE	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3	3	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2000	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	16.7	0	0
2001	—	IND	16	—	54	32	343	1	59.3%	10.7	6.4	—	16	1	1	100.0%	39	1	0	100.0	0.0	39.0	59.0	—	158.3	0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2001	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	5.5	—	-8.6	0	0
2002	—	TB	14	—	48	34	329	2	70.8%	9.7	6.9	—	14	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2002	—	CAR	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2002	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	18.0	0	0
2003	—	TB	13	—	22	22	244	1	100.0%	11.1	11.1	—	10	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2003	—	JAX	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	2	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2003	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	14.2	0	0
2004	—	TB	15	—	39	39	345	3	100.0%	8.8	8.8	—	15	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2004	—	DEN	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2004	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	21.8	0	0
Career		—	159	—	286	356	4,099	24	124.5%	11.5	14.3	—	—	1	1	100.0%	39	1	0	100.0	0.0	39.0	59.0	—	158.3	0	10	10	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	5.5	—	87.2	0	0

Career EPA92.7·5 passing · 87 receiving·15.4/season

Passing

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Cmp	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	Int	TD%	Int%	Y/A	AdjY/A	TD:INT	Rate	Sk	VAL
2001	30	IND	16	—	1	1	100.0%	39	1	0	100.0	0.0	39.0	59.0	—	158.3	0	9.1
Career			16		1	1	100.0%	39	1	0	100.0	0.0	39.0	—	—	158.3	0	120

Receiving

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	TD	Ctch%	Y/R	Y/Tgt	AirYd/T	1D
1995	24	IND	13	—	—	42	635	4	—	15.1	—	—	—
1996	25	IND	16	—	—	42	503	4	—	12.0	—	—	—
1997	26	IND	14	—	—	27	380	3	—	14.1	—	—	—
1998	27	IND	16	—	—	31	303	1	—	9.8	—	—	—
1999	28	IND	15	—	51	40	479	2	78.4%	12.0	9.4	—	28
2000	29	IND	15	—	72	47	538	3	65.3%	11.4	7.5	—	27
2001	30	IND	16	—	54	32	343	1	59.3%	10.7	6.4	—	16
2002	31	TB	14	—	48	34	329	2	70.8%	9.7	6.9	—	14
2003	32	TB	13	—	22	22	244	1	100.0%	11.1	11.1	—	10
2004	33	TB	15	—	39	39	345	3	100.0%	8.8	8.8	—	15
Career			147		286	356	4,099	24	124.5%	11.5	14.3	—	—

Defense

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Tkl	Solo	Sk	Dis	FR
1999	28	WAS	4	—	3	3	0.0	0.0	—
2000	29	NE	4	—	3	3	0.0	0.0	—
2002	31	CAR	1	—	1	1	0.0	0.0	—
2003	32	JAX	2	—	2	2	0.0	0.0	—
2004	33	DEN	1	—	1	1	0.0	0.0	—
Career			12		10	10	—	—	—

Advanced (EPA)

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Pass EPA	Rush EPA	Rec EPA
1999	28	—	—	—	—	—	25.2
2000	29	—	—	—	—	—	16.7
2001	30	—	—	—	5.5	—	-8.6
2002	31	—	—	—	—	—	18.0
2003	32	—	—	—	—	—	14.2
2004	33	—	—	—	—	—	21.8
Career					—	—	—

KV-H Anatomy

KV-H 73 · Great

A great career by KV-H: a peak-driven profile that scores 73 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 72.8 × longevity 1 = KV-H 73· confidence 100%

What builds the career mark of 68

On-field 49.5

Availability 18.5

On-field production Staying available

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

1995bestavg 68elite 702004

All-Time Standing

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

Depth

of 100

Reached 23% of the all-time Receptions leader — a rotational/depth all-time profile at the position.

23% of the all-time Receptions leader23

0 categories ≥25% of the all-time leader0

15.44 EPA/season over 6 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: 90%.

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+).

Playoff vs Regular Season

📉 Regular Season Player

Yards / Reception: 11.5 regular season → 9.9 playoffs (5 playoff seasons)

-14%

vs reg season

Postseason Career

9 playoff games

Receiving

Tgt17Rec16Yds159TD1Ctch%94.1%Y/R9.9Y/Tgt9.4

Advanced (EPA)

Rec EPA6.6

College Stats

IllinoisImported college table

College Receiving

Season	School	Tgt	Rec	Yds	TD	Ctch%	Y/R	Y/Tgt	AirYd/T	1D
1991	Illinois	—	18	212	1	—	11.8	—	—	—
1992	Illinois	—	6	42	0	—	7.0	—	—	—
1993	Illinois	—	17	212	2	—	12.5	—	—	—
1994	Illinois	—	48	607	6	—	12.6	—	—	—
Career		0	89	1,073	9	—	12.1	—	—	—

Reference Graph

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

1995 Draft Class· this player went #48

#37Cory RaymerC #38Zach WiegertOT #39Christian FauriaTE #42Orlando ThomasFS #44Ray ZellarsRB #45Todd CollinsQB #46Sherman WilliamsRB #47Frank SandersWR #49Barret RobbinsC #50Bobby TaylorCB #51Terrell FletcherRB #54Scott GraggOT #56Todd SauerbrunP #57Ted JohnsonILB #58Barrett BrooksOT #59Kendell WatkinsTE

Franchise Succession

the room, before and after

Ken inherited the Indianapolis Colts TE room from Charles Arbuckle (1992–1995), and handed it to Marcus Pollard (1995–2004).

Tim Sherwin 1981–1987Mark Boyer 1985–1989Pat Beach 1985–1991Kerry Cash 1991–1994Charles Arbuckle 1992–1995Ken Dilger

Similar Players

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

Movementderived from season history

2004final season
Last recorded season with TB
2002team change
Joined TB (from IND)
1995draft
Drafted by IND — Round 2, Pick 48

Athletic & Unique Profile

verified measurements and curated source-tagged facts

6'5" / 250 lb

Frame

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 80

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

A1995

B+1996

B1997

B1998

B+1999

B+2000

B2001

B2002

C+2003

C+2004

Availability

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

92%

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
1995	635	48.8	1,139+504	67
1996	503	31.4	803+300	47.3
1997	380	27.1	685+305	40.3
1998	303	18.9	516+213	30.3
1999	479	31.9	763+284	44.9
2000	538	35.9	836+298	49.2
2001	343	21.4	466+123	27.4
2002	329	23.5	486+157	28.6
2003	244	18.8	345+101	20.3
2004	345	23	426+81	25.1

Data: nflverse:players, nflverse:player_stats, nflverse:player_stats_def, nflverse:draft_picks, nflverse:advanced-epa (CC-BY 4.0), wikipedia:season-stats (CC-BY-SA, facts-only), wikipedia:college-stats (CC-BY-SA, facts-only) · multi-source verified via the StatVault Oracle · updated 6/18/2026

Career Value · VORP

220 career value over replacement — #316 all-time of 4,642. 22/season above a replacement-level TE.

Draft OutcomeSteal ↑

Pick #48 (Rd 2) · IND · 1995 · +23.8 vs expected KV-H

73actual

49.2 expected · Δ+23.8

Fan Rating

Rate Ken Dilger — All-Time

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Compare Ken Dilger vs Player Report data error

Ken Dilger

All-Time Rank & Honors

Archetype Intelligence

Career Value · VORP

Combined Season Grid

Passing

Receiving

Defense

Advanced (EPA)

KV-H Anatomy

All-Time Standing

Career Aging Trajectory

Postseason Career

Receiving

Advanced (EPA)

College Stats

College Receiving

Reference Graph

Top Teammates

1995 Draft Class· this player went #48

Franchise Succession

Similar Players

Movementderived from season history

Athletic & Unique Profile

Knox

Era Translator