Who Are the Shortest Defensive Backs 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 Defensive Backs 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 Defensive Backs. Get ready to learn some random, yet interesting, football facts that you can show off to your friends.
Shortest NFL Defensive Backs
In the NFL, where the average defensive back stands at around 6’0″ tall, there are a few players who defy this norm. This includes the shortest defensive backs in the league, all 3 measuring at 5’8″, and a considerable group of around 20 players who stand at 5’9″. These athletes challenge the conventional height expectations for their position.
Despite their height, these defensive backs compensate with extraordinary agility, speed, and football IQ – attributes that are crucial in their role. These qualities allow for quick directional changes, rapid response to passing plays, and effective engagement with taller receivers.
This goes to show that in the NFL, success is not solely determined by physical height but by a combination of skills, determination, and tactical intelligence.
I’m going to highlight all these players in the next two sections below.
Ar’Darius Washington
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 176 lbs
- Position: Safety
- Team: Baltimore Ravens
- College: TCU
- Draft: Undrafted in 2021
- Years in NFL: 3 years
Khalil Dorsey
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 185 lbs
- Position: Cornerback
- Team: Detroit Lions
- College: Northern Arizona
- Draft: Undrafted in 2020
- Years in NFL: 4 years
Marcus Jones
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 188 lbs
- Position: Cornerback
- Team: New England Patriots
- College: Houston
- Draft: 3rd round, 2022 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 2 years
5’9″ Defensive Backs
Here is that next group of defensive backs, just a bit taller at 5’9″.
| Name | Pos | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Tre Tomlinson | CB | Rams |
| Shaun Jolly | CB | Rams |
| Cam Lewis | CB | Bills |
| Amik Robertson | CB | Raiders |
| Mike Hilton | CB | Bengals |
| Avonte Maddox | CB | Eagles |
| K’Waun Williams | CB | Broncos |
| D’Shawn Jamison | CB | Panthers |
| Darious Williams | CB | Jaguars |
| D.J. Reed | CB | Jets |
| Kenny Moore II | CB | Colts |
| Danny Johnson | CB | Commanders |
| Tyrann Mathieu | FS | Saints |
| Myles Bryant | CB | Patriots |
| Bobby McCain | SAF | Giants |
| Jerrick Reed II | SAF | Seahawks |
| Quandre Diggs | S | Seahawks |
| Ugo Amadi | SAF | Saints |
| Antoine Winfield Jr. | SAF | Buccaneers |
Final Thoughts
This article on the shortest defensive backs in the NFL illustrates that success in the league extends beyond physical height. These players, well under 6’0″, demonstrate that attributes such as agility, speed, strategic understanding, and mental acuity are equally, if not more, significant than stature.
This group of athletes, including Tyrann Mathieu and Kenny Moore II, shows that excellence in the NFL is a composite of various skills, where determination, technique, and adaptability play a crucial role. Their success serves as an inspiration and a reminder that in football, overall ability and skill set can effectively outweigh conventional physical norms.
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