Who Are the Shortest Defensive Linemen in the NFL? (2023-24)
I’ve been a Sports Performance Coach for twenty years and I’ve always found it impactful to show the Defensive Linemen I coached the sizes 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 poured 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 Linemen. Get ready to learn some random, yet interesting, football facts that you can show off to your friends.
The Shortest NFL Defensive Linemen
In the NFL, where the average defensive lineman stands at about 6’3 3/4″ tall, there exists a group of players who challenge this norm. These defensive linemen, all 6’0″ or shorter, demonstrate that height is not the sole determinant of success in this demanding position.
Despite being shorter than the average for their role, these players exhibit exceptional agility, quickness, and a lower center of gravity. These qualities are invaluable for a defensive lineman, allowing them to use their size for better leverage, move swiftly to penetrate offensive lines, and remain balanced while engaging with larger opponents.
Following this group is another set of defensive linemen who stand at 6’1″. While they are marginally taller than the shortest in their role, they still fall below the traditional height expected for defensive linemen.
I’m going to highlight all the players in both groups in the two lists below. First, let’s take a closer look at the 6 shortest Defensive Linemen.
Poona Ford
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 310 lbs
- Position: DT
- Team: Buffalo Bills
- College: Texas
- Draft: Undrafted in 2018
- Years in NFL: 6 years
Calijah Kancey
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 280 lbs
- Position: DT
- Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- College: Pittsburgh
- Draft: 1st round, 2023 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: Rookie
Grady Jarrett
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 288 lbs
- Position: DT
- Team: Atlanta Falcons
- College: Clemson
- Draft: 5th round, 2015 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 9 years
D.J. Jones
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 305 lbs
- Position: DT
- Team: Denver Broncos
- College: Mississippi
- Draft: 6th round, 2017 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 7 years
Khalen Saunders
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 324 lbs
- Position: DT
- Team: New Orleans Saints
- College: Western Illinois
- Draft: 3rd round, 2019 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 5 years
Michael Pierce
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 355 lbs
- Position: DT
- Team: Baltimore Ravens
- College: Samford
- Draft: Undrafted in 2016
- Years in NFL: 8 years
6’1″ Defensive Linemen
| Name | Pos | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Donald | DT | Rams |
| Kevin Givens | DT | 49ers |
| Ed Oliver | DT | Bills |
| Andrew Billings | DT | Bears |
| Greg Gaines | DT | Buccaneers |
| Derrick Nnadi | NT | Chiefs |
| Benito Jones | DT | Lions |
| Tershawn Wharton | DE | Chiefs |
| DeShawn Williams | DE | Panthers |
Final Thoughts
This article highlights defensive linemen who stand out not just for their skills but also for their unique stature. From Aaron Donald with the Los Angeles Rams to DeShawn Williams of the Carolina Panthers, each player brings a distinct set of abilities to their team, regardless of their height.
This close look at these athletes underscores a vital aspect of professional football: success on the defensive line is not solely a function of size. Instead, it’s their agility, technique, strength, and strategic understanding of the game that make them valuable assets to their teams.
