Who Are the Shortest Cornerbacks in the NFL? (2023-24)

I’ve been a Sports Performance Coach for two decades and I’ve always found it helpful to show the Cornerbacks I coached the heights and weights of NFL players at their position. This has proven over the years to be motivational for players needing to add size and sometimes served as a harsh reality check.

I did the same research this season that I do every year. I went through the 53-man active rosters for the 2023 NFL season, immediately following the final preseason cuts, a total of nearly 1700 players and broke them down by position.

By popular demand, I have put together this guide focusing on the NFL’s shortest Cornerbacks. Get ready to learn some random, yet interesting, football facts that you can show off to your friends.

Shortest NFL Cornerbacks

In the NFL, where the typical cornerback is just shy of 6’0″ tall, a distinctive group of players stands out due to their shorter size. The 15 shortest cornerbacks, all 5’9″ or below, are breaking the mold of traditional height expectations for their position.

Despite being shorter than many of their peers, these cornerbacks make up for it with exceptional agility, speed, and a deep understanding of the game. These attributes are crucial for a cornerback, as they enable quick reactions to receivers’ movements, effective adaptation to various passing scenarios, and the ability to close gaps rapidly in coverage.

Their presence and success in the league highlight that in the NFL, a player’s height is just one aspect of their overall ability. Skills such as footwork, technique, anticipation, and mental acuity are equally, if not more, vital in defining a cornerback’s effectiveness on the field.

Khalil Dorsey

Height: 5’8″
Weight: 185 lbs
Team: Detroit Lions
College: Northern Arizona
Draft: Undrafted in 2020
Years in NFL: 4 years

Marcus Jones

Height: 5’8″
Weight: 188 lbs
Team: New England Patriots
College: Houston
Draft: 3rd round, 2022 NFL Draft
Years in NFL: 2 years

Tre Tomlinson

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 180 lbs
Team: Los Angeles Rams
College: TCU
Draft: 6th round, 2023 NFL Draft
Years in NFL: Rookie

Shaun Jolly

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 180 lbs
Team: Los Angeles Rams
College: Appalachian State
Draft: Undrafted in 2021
Years in NFL: 3 years

Cam Lewis

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 183 lbs
Team: Buffalo Bills
College: Buffalo
Draft: Undrafted in 2020
Years in NFL: 4 years

Amik Robertson

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 183 lbs
Team: Las Vegas Raiders
College: Louisiana Tech
Draft: 4th round, 2020 NFL Draft
Years in NFL: 4 years

Mike Hilton

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 184 lbs
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
College: Mississippi
Draft: Undrafted in 2016
Years in NFL: 8 years

Avonte Maddox

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 184 lbs
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
College: Pittsburgh
Draft: 4th round, 2018 NFL Draft
Years in NFL: 6 years

K’Waun Williams

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 185 lbs
Team: Denver Broncos
College: Pittsburgh
Draft: Undrafted in 2014
Years in NFL: 10 years

D’Shawn Jamison

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 186 lbs
Team: Carolina Panthers
College: Texas
Draft: Undrafted in 2023
Years in NFL: Rookie

Darious Williams

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 187 lbs
Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
College: UAB
Draft: Undrafted in 2018
Years in NFL: 6 years

D.J. Reed

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 188 lbs
Team: New York Jets
College: Kansas State
Draft: 5th round, 2018 NFL Draft
Years in NFL: 6 years

Kenny Moore II

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 190 lbs
Team: Indianapolis Colts
College: Valdosta State
Draft: Undrafted in 2017
Years in NFL: 7 years

Danny Johnson

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 190 lbs
Team: Washington Commanders
College: Southern
Draft: Undrafted in 2018
Years in NFL: 6 years

Myles Bryant

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 192 lbs
Team: New England Patriots
College: Washington
Draft: Undrafted in 2020
Years in NFL: 4 years

Final Thoughts

This article highlights the success of the NFL’s shortest cornerbacks, all standing at 5’9″ or below, demonstrating that height isn’t everything in achieving professional football success.

These players, like Marcus Jones of the New England Patriots and Kenny Moore II of the Indianapolis Colts, have effectively overcome the typical height expectations for their position. They showcase that agility, technique, game intelligence, and sheer determination are equally, if not more, important than physical stature.

The Shortest Defensive Backs in the NFL

Average Height in NFL (by position)

NFL.com