NFL logo
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader
Audio By Carbonatix
The NFL is full of very tall men that shouldn’t be as athletic as they are at their enormous sizes. Those behemoths can run, jump, pass, catch, and move more swiftly than a large majority of their viewers.
The average height of players in the league is north of 6-foot-2, and that number can change drastically from position to position. Players along the offensive and defensive lines often stand 6-foot-6 and up. The tallest current player in the league towers over his opposition at 6-foot-10 (more on him later).
You’d be hard-pressed to find extremely productive players that fall beneath the 6-foot threshold. It’s possible, but unlikely, to succeed in today’s NFL without size – and the competition is only getting bigger.
There are 10 current or former players to stand 6-foot-9 and up. Just one was 7-feet tall. Here are the tallest player in NFL history… for now!
The 10 Tallest Players in NFL History
First up! We’ll start with a player whose name alone is enough to suggest he’s one of the NFL’s tallest players of all time.
Ed “Too Tall” Jones, DE
Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Dallas Cowboys
© Manny Rubio-Imagn Images
Jones was the first overall NFL Draft pick in 1974 out of Tennessee State. He spent each of his 15 professional seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
“Too Tall” Jones was 6-foot-9 and played defensive end. He racked up 106 career sacks before retiring in 1989. A three-time Pro Bowler, he won a Super Bowl with the organization in 1977.
Caleb Jones, OL
Caleb Jones, Green Bay Packers
© Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
Jones is a massive human being at 6-foot-9 and 370 pounds. He went undrafted in 2022 following a four-year career at the University of Indiana.
The offensive lineman signed with the Packers that same offseason and is currently a member of the Patriots practice squad. He’s appeared in one NFL game, which came in the 2023 campaign.
Jonathan Ogden, OL
Jonathan Ogden, Baltimore Ravens
© H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY, USA TODAY via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Ogden is an NFL legend, playing 12 professional seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013 after hanging up the cleats in 2007.
The offensive lineman stood 6-foot-9 and was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. An 11-time Pro Bowler, he’s considered one of the greatest tackles of all time.
Alejandro Villanueva, OL
Alejandro Villanueva, Baltimore Ravens
© Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Another former Raven comes in next with 6-foot-9 Alejandro Villanueva. While he spent his final year with the franchise, he’s best remembered for his time with the rival Steelers.
The offensive lineman played spent seven years in the NFL, six of which came in Pittsburgh. He landed two Pro Bowl invites and helped his team reach the AFC title game in 2016.
Jordan Murray, OL
Jordan Murray, Indianapolis Colts
© Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Murray was only able to land practice squad recognition as a member of the Indianapolis Colts from 2022-23. Still, he presented an imposing presence for those lining up against him.
The offensive lineman is 6-foot-9 and currently playing in the CFL. He was a member of the North Texas college football team from 2015-2018.
Alfredo Gutierrez, OL
Alfredo Gutierrez, San Francisco 49ers
© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Gutierrez was signed by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, though he was unable to elevate beyond the practice/offseason squad. He was part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.
At 6-foot-9, he is one of the tallest players in league history. While he never played in a regular season game, he did earn a game ball in his preseason debut with the Niners in 2023.
Matthew O’Donnell, OL
Matthew O'Donnell, Cincinnati Bengals
© Kim Klement-Imagn Images
Matthew O’Donnell signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011. He never recorded an NFL regular season snap but did have a notable career in the CFL.
Interestingly enough, the 6-foot-9 lineman briefly put his pro career on pause while working out with the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors. He late continued his CFL stint before retiring in 2022.
Morris Stroud, TE
Morris Stroud, Kansas City Chiefs
© Rod Hanna-Imagn Images
Stroud is the lone pass catcher on the list having played six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He averaged 18.1 yards per catch over his career with 54 receptions and 977 yards.
He’s best known for forcing an NFL rule change. Standing 6-foot-10, the Chiefs often put him near the goal post to block field goal attempts. The league eventually deemed it an unfair advantage and implemented a goaltending rule.
In 1970, after a rule change, 6’9″ Chiefs tight end Morris Stroud tried to goaltend George Blanda’s game-tying field goal.
This would have been a palpably unfair play had he succeeded. pic.twitter.com/xs3sU9OVKT
— Quirky Research (@QuirkyResearch) December 27, 2022
Dan Skipper, OL
Dan Skipper, Detroit Lions
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Skipper is the tallest current player in the NFL. The Detroit Lions offensive lineman stands 6-foot-10.
Skipper has played seven professional seasons, seeing a massive uptick in playing time over the last three years. The former Arkansas Razorback has played 44 games since 2022 after appearing in just 13 contests the four years prior.
Richard Sligh, DT
Raiders logo
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Sligh is the only NFL player ever listed at 7-feet tall. The defensive tackle is the tallest player in league history. He played eight games with the Raiders, including an appearance as a reserve in Super Bowl II in 1967.
A native of Newberry, South Carolina, he spent his college career at North Carolina Central before being drafted in the 10th round of the NFL Draft.