Average Weight of NFL Defensive Ends (2024)
In the National Football League, where every pound can shift the balance of power, the physical attributes of players are scrutinized as much as their skills. This season, we turn our attention to one of the most formidable positions on the field: the defensive ends.
These players are the bulwarks of the defense, tasked with outmuscling and outmaneuvering their opponents. But just how much does the average NFL defensive end weigh in this game of gridiron giants?
For this deep dive, I examined the heights and weights of over 120 defensive ends on opening-day rosters for the 2023 season. Join me as we weigh in on the importance of mass and muscle in the sport where every ounce counts.
NFL DE Avg Weight
The average weight of an NFL defensive end in 2023 is 274 pounds.
While the overall average provides a useful baseline, it doesn’t fully capture the diversity in the weights of NFL defensive ends, who range significantly from the lightest at 235 pounds to the heftiest at 335 pounds.
To offer a more detailed perspective, we’ve segmented the players into 10-pound weight brackets and quantified the number of defensive ends within each range.
This approach allows us to present a clearer and more nuanced understanding of the weight distribution across the position, highlighting the varied physical profiles these athletes bring to the field.
Defensive Ends Weight Scale
| Weight Range | Number of Players |
|---|---|
| 230 – 239 | 2 |
| 240 – 249 | 6 |
| 250 – 259 | 19 |
| 260 – 269 | 30 |
| 270 – 279 | 21 |
| 280 – 289 | 17 |
| 290 – 299 | 17 |
| 300 – 309 | 7 |
| 310 – 319 | 1 |
| 320 – 329 | 3 |
| 330 – 339 | 1 |
By breaking the numbers down like this we can see that while the overall average may be 274 pounds, there is a large and diverse amount of sizes that make up the defensive end position.
This speaks to the different roles that defensive ends are utilized for depending on the defensive scheme they’re a part of. 3-4 defensive ends tend to be much larger, closer to a traditional defensive tackle while 4-3 defensive ends are lighter and function more as edge pass rushers.
Which NFL Defensive Ends Weigh the Most?
Curious to know who the guys are toward the bottom of the table above?
Thought you might.
The 12 heaviest guys playing defensive end in the league all weigh 300 pounds or more.
| Name | Weight | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Allen | 300 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Leonard Williams | 300 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Zach Sieler | 300 | Cleveland Browns |
| Elijah Garcia | 302 | Buffalo Bills |
| Carlos Watkins | 305 | New Orleans Saints |
| Calais Campbell | 307 | Tennessee Titans |
| Jayden Peevy | 308 | Atlanta Falcons |
| Nathan Shepherd | 315 | Arizona Cardinals |
| DaQuan Jones | 320 | Denver Broncos |
| Dalvin Tomlinson | 325 | Miami Dolphins |
| Neil Farrell | 325 | New York Giants |
| D.J. Reader | 335 | Washington Commanders |
Which NFL Defensive Ends Weigh the Least?
Just as interesting (or maybe even more so) as which guys weigh the most is which guys weigh the least.
The 8 lightest defensive ends in the NFL all weigh under 250 pounds.
| Name | Weight | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Marquis Haynes | 235 | Carolina Panthers |
| Will McDonald IV | 236 | New York Jets |
| Leonard Floyd | 240 | Buffalo Bills |
| Will Anderson Jr | 243 | Houston Texans |
| BJ Thompson | 243 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Samson Ebukam | 245 | Indianapolis Colts |
| Amare Barno | 245 | Carolina Panthers |
| Yannick Ngakoue | 246 | Chicago Bears |
Conclusion
In wrapping up our exploration into the average weight of NFL defensive ends this season, it’s clear that diversity in body types is not just present but paramount in the league.
This season has showcased a remarkable range of sizes and builds, each bringing its unique advantage to the field. From the lean, speed-focused ends who rely on agility and quickness, to the larger, power-based players who dominate through sheer force, the NFL defensive end position remains a testament to the sport’s inclusivity of various athletic builds.
This variety underscores a fundamental truth about football: success is not confined to a single body type or physical mold. Instead, it’s the skillful adaptation of one’s unique physical attributes to the strategies of the game that defines excellence.
Other Positions
Average Weight of Tight Ends in the NFL
