Average Height of NFL Defensive Tackles (2024)

In the NFL, where every inch and pound can be the difference between a sack and a touchdown, the defensive tackle stands as a pivotal figure – quite literally.

As we dove into the 2023 season, we had a burning question that we wanted to answer: How tall are these gridiron goliaths this year?

I examined the heights and weights of over 120 defensive tackles on opening-day rosters for the 2023 season. Now, let’s line up and get ready to dissect the towering presence of this season’s defensive tackles – because in football, every inch matters!

NFL DT Avg Height

The average height of an NFL Defensive Tackle in 2023 is 6’3 1/4″.

However, averages don’t often tell the whole story. For instance, there is a huge gap between the shortest and tallest defensive tackles. I wanted to take a closer look.

So, to give you an even better idea of how NFL Defensive Tackles stack up, I tallied up how many players are at each specific height – from 5’11” all the way to 6’7″.

Defensive Tackle Height Scale

Height	Number of Players
5’11”	1
6’0″	5
6’1″	7
6’2″	18
6’3″	37
6’4″	33
6’5″	16
6’6″	5
6’7″	2

This table provides some interesting insight into the defensive tackle position.

In this instance, the average height is an excellent representation of defensive tackle heights across the league. The numbers are very evenly dispersed on each side of the average. They also substantially increase in number as you reach closer to the 6’3″ average.

Just for the record, this isn’t something we necessarily see for many positions. (Although Tight Ends are very similar in this regard)

Which NFL Defensive Tackles are the Tallest?

Curious to know who the guys are at the bottom of the table above? Thought you might.

Here are the seven tallest DTs in the NFL this season, all measuring 6’6″ or taller:

Name	Height	Team
Raekwon Davis	6’7″	Miami Dolphins
DeForest Buckner	6’7″	Indianapolis Colts
Jordan Phillips	6’6″	Buffalo Bills
Jordan Davis	6’6″	Philadelphia Eagles
Gervon Dexter Sr	6’6″	Chicago Bears
Jerry Tillery	6’6″	Las Vegas Raiders
William Gholston	6’6″	Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Which NFL Defensive Tackles are the Shortest?

Just as interesting (or maybe even more so) as which guys are the tallest is which players are actually the shortest.

The 6 shortest defensive tackles in the NFL are all 6’0″ or shorter.

Name	Height	Team
Poona Ford	5’11”	Kansas City Chiefs
Calijah Kancey	6’0″	Carolina Panthers
Grady Jarrett	6’0″	Carolina Panthers
D.J. Jones	6’0″	Chicago Bears
Khalen Saunders	6’0″	Cleveland Browns
Michael Pierce	6’0″	Philadelphia Eagles

Conclusion

The average height of defensive tackles in the 2023 season paints a fascinating picture of football’s ongoing evolution.

Standing tall at over 6’3″, these players blend the traditional power and bulk with a newfound agility and speed. Their stature is a testament to the sport’s changing dynamics, where size meets skill in a compelling dance of defense.

What does this mean for the future of football? One thing is clear: the role of the defensive tackle, much like the game itself, is ever-changing. Coaches and players alike must adapt their strategies and training to leverage these physical attributes effectively.

As fans, we can only marvel at the athleticism and versatility of these modern-day Goliaths. Their towering presence on the field is not just a show of physical prowess but a reflection of the strategic intricacies of football.