Average Weight of NFL Linebackers in 2024
In the high-octane world of the NFL, linebackers stand as the formidable guardians of the gridiron, blending speed with brute strength. But just how much muscle and mass are these athletes packing this season?
The answer isn’t just a number—it’s a story of evolution, strategy, and the relentless pursuit of athletic perfection.
For this deep dive, we examined the heights and weights of over 200 linebackers on opening-day rosters for the 2023 season. Buckle up your chinstraps, folks, and let’s get ready to rumble through the scales!
NFL LB Avg Weight
The average weight of an NFL linebacker in 2023 is 241 pounds. However, with a position like linebacker, the overall average doesn’t always give a clear picture.
NFL Linebackers can vary drastically in body type, especially when you consider the differences between a 4-3 Will Linebacker vs a 3-4 outside edge rusher. The range of weight for linebackers (from 214 to 287) reflects these differences.
So, in an effort to give you an even better idea of where NFL linebackers weigh in, we broke the position down into 10-pound increments and tallied up how many players fell into each section.
Linebacker Weight Scale
| Weight Range | Number of Players |
|---|---|
| 210 – 219 | 3 |
| 220 – 229 | 42 |
| 230 – 239 | 79 |
| 240 – 249 | 46 |
| 250 – 259 | 35 |
| 260 – 269 | 18 |
| 270 – 279 | 8 |
| 280 – 289 | 2 |
By breaking the numbers down like this we can see that even though there are some absolute monsters that drive up the overall average, the biggest group of linebackers (230 – 239 pounds) actually falls under the overall average.
So, if you want to play linebacker in the NFL, you don’t necessarily need to be 240-plus pounds. There are plenty of guys in the 220 to 240-pound range. Again, this is going to be highly dependent on the specific role within the linebacker position the player is playing.
Read More:
Which NFL Linebackers Weigh the Most?
Curious to know who the ten guys are at the bottom of the table above? The ones tipping the scale at over 270 pounds?
Thought you might:
| Name | Weight | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Jihad Ward | 287 | New York Giants |
| Joey Bosa | 280 | Los Angeles Chargers |
| Rashan Gary | 277 | Green Bay Packers |
| Travon Walker | 272 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Lukas Van Ness | 272 | Green Bay Packers |
| Frank Clark | 272 | Denver Broncos |
| Anthony Nelson | 271 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| YaYa Diaby | 271 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Matt Judon | 270 | New England Patriots |
| Justin Houston | 270 | Carolina Panthers |
Which NFL Linebackers Weigh the Least?
Just as interesting (or maybe even more so) as which guys weigh the most is which guys weigh the least.
The 10 lightest linebackers in the NFL weigh 222 pounds or less.
| Name | Weight | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Zeke Turner | 214 | Arizona Cardinals |
| Otis Reese | 214 | Tennessee Titans |
| Jamien Sherwood | 216 | New York Jets |
| Khaleke Hudson | 220 | Washington Commanders |
| Luke Masterson | 220 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Caleb Johnson | 220 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Jalen Graham | 220 | San Francisco 49ers |
| Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | 221 | Cleveland Browns |
| Tae Davis | 222 | Atlanta Falcons |
| Tony Fields II | 222 | Cleveland Browns |
Conclusion
The average weight of NFL linebackers this season underscores the ongoing shifts in the sport. These changes reflect strategic adaptations to new styles of play and the physical demands placed on players.
As linebackers adjust their weight for better performance, whether it’s for speed or strength, it highlights the sport’s constant evolution.
Ultimately, the average weight of a linebacker isn’t just a number—it’s a snapshot of the current state of the NFL, showing how players and teams adapt to remain competitive in a constantly evolving league.
