Who Are the Shortest Offensive Tackles 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 Offensive Tackles 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 Tackles. Get ready to learn some random, yet interesting, football facts that you can show off to your friends.
The Shortest NFL Offensive Tackles
For NFL Offensive Tackles, a position where the average height is a little over 6’5½”, there exists a noteworthy subset of players who challenge the norm with their shorter stature. These Offensive Tackles, each standing at 6’3″ or shorter, are living proof that height is not the only factor contributing to success in this critical role.
Despite their relatively shorter height, these tackles exhibit exceptional agility, quick footwork, and a lower center of gravity, which are crucial in their position. These attributes enable them to perform rapid lateral movements, maintain stability against oncoming defenders, and adapt quickly to dynamic play situations.
Close behind this group is another set of offensive tackles who are about 6’4″ tall. While they are slightly taller than the shortest in their role, they still fall below the average height for tackles.
Both of these groups will be highlighted in the two lists below. First, let’s take a close look at the 4 shortest Tackles.
Isaiah Wynn
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 310 lbs
- Team: Miami Dolphins
- College: Georgia
- Draft: 1st round, 2018 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 6 years
Charles Leno Jr
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 307 lbs
- Team: Washington Commanders
- College: Boise State
- Draft: 7th round, 2014 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 10 years
Kelvin Beachum
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 308 lbs
- Team: Arizona Cardinals
- College: SMU
- Draft: 7th round, 2012 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 12 years
Cody Ford
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 329 lbs
- Team: Cincinnati Bengals
- College: Oklahoma
- Draft: 2nd round, 2019 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 5 years
6’4″ Offensive Tackles
Here is that next tier of Offensive Tackles, all listed at 6’4″.
| Name | Team |
|---|---|
| Chris Hubbard | Titans |
| Warren McClendon Jr. | Rams |
| Spencer Burford | 49ers |
| Ryan Bates | Bills |
| Patrick Mekari | Ravens |
| Cooper Hodges | Jaguars |
| Robert Hainsey | Buccaneers |
| Jedrick Wills | Browns |
| David Bakhtiari | Packers |
| Jaylon Moore | 49ers |
| Peter Skoronski | Titans |
| Asim Richards | Cowboys |
| Rashawn Slater | Chargers |
| Duane Brown | Jets |
| Ikem Ekwonu | Panthers |
| Saahdiq Charles | Commanders |
Final Thoughts
This article has highlighted a group of offensive tackles in the NFL, showcasing that success in this position is not solely defined by height. Despite the challenges they may face due to being shorter than the average tackle, their performance in the NFL underscores their ability to leverage other strengths such as technique, agility, and intelligence on the field.
These athletes serve as an inspiration, proving that success in the NFL is about more than just physical measurements; it’s about determination, skill, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
