Who Are the Shortest Defensive Ends 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 Ends 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 Ends. Get ready to learn some random, yet interesting, football facts that you can show off to your friends.
The Shortest Defensive Ends in the NFL
In the NFL, where the average height for a defensive end is over 6’4″, a select group of players defies this standard. These defensive ends, all 6’2″ or shorter, prove that height is not the defining factor for achieving success in this challenging position.
Despite being shorter than most of their counterparts, these athletes display remarkable agility, speed, and a lower center of gravity. These attributes are particularly advantageous for a defensive end, enabling them to quickly maneuver around the edge, effectively use their leverage against taller offensive linemen, and maintain stability during the rush.
Tershawn Wharton
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 280 lbs
- Team: Kansas City Chiefs
- College: Missouri S&T
- Draft: Undrafted in 2020
- Years in NFL: 4 years
DeShawn Williams
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 292 lbs
- Team: Carolina Panthers
- College: Clemson
- Draft: Undrafted in 2016
- Years in NFL: 5 years
Marquis Haynes
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 235 lbs
- Team: Carolina Panthers
- College: Ole Miss
- Draft: 4th round, 2018 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 6 years
Yannick Ngakoue
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 246 lbs
- Team: Chicago Bears
- College: Maryland
- Draft: 3rd round, 2016 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 8 years
Ogbo Okoronkwo
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 250 lbs
- Team: Cleveland Browns
- College: Oklahoma
- Draft: 5th round, 2018 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 6 years
Malcolm Koonce
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 250 lbs
- Team: Las Vegas Raiders
- College: Buffalo
- Draft: 3rd round, 2021 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 3 years
Jerry Hughes
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 254 lbs
- Team: Houston Texans
- College: TCU
- Draft: 1st round, 2010 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 14 years
Michael Danna
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 257 lbs
- Team: Kansas City Chiefs
- College: Michigan
- Draft: 5th round, 2020 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 4 years
Brandon Graham
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 265 lbs
- Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- College: Michigan
- Draft: 1st round, 2010 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 14 years
Carl Lawson
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 265 lbs
- Team: New York Jets
- College: Auburn
- Draft: 4th round, 2017 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 7 years
Kentavius Street
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 287 lbs
- Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- College: NC State
- Draft: 4th round, 2018 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 6 years
Shelby Harris
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 288 lbs
- Team: Cleveland Browns
- College: Illinois State
- Draft: 7th round, 2014 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 10 years
Final Thoughts
This article has showcased the shortest Defensive Ends in the NFL, a group standing at 6’2″ or shorter. Despite being shorter than the average Defensive End, these players have carved out successful careers in the league.
Their performance underscores a key message in pro sports: success is not solely determined by physical attributes like height. These athletes demonstrate that other factors such as agility, technique, strength, and tactical understanding of the game are critical to excelling in their positions.
From Yannick Ngakoue’s impressive rush techniques to Shelby Harris’s ability to disrupt offensive plays, each player brings unique skills to the field that transcend their physical height.
