Who Are the Shortest Running Backs 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 Running Backs 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 Running Backs. Get ready to learn some random, yet interesting, football facts that you can show off to your friends.
The Shortest NFL Running Backs
While the average NFL running back stands at around 5’10½”, these players, slightly shorter in stature, bring a unique set of skills to the field. Their agility, speed, and lower center of gravity often give them an edge in maneuverability and balance, allowing them to weave through defenses in ways that their taller counterparts might not.
Just above them, another group of about 15 running backs stands at 5’9″. I’m going to highlight both sets of players in the two tables below.
Deuce Vaughn
- Height: 5’5″
- Weight: 176 lbs
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- College: Kansas State
- Draft: 2023, 6th Round (212th overall)
- Years in NFL: Rookie
Boston Scott
- Height: 5’6″
- Weight: 203 lbs
- Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- College: Louisiana Tech
- Draft: 2018, 6th Round (201st overall)
- Years in NFL: 6
Devin Singletary
- Height: 5’7″
- Weight: 203 lbs
- Team: Houston Texans
- College: Florida Atlantic
- Draft: 2019, 3rd Round (74th overall)
- Years in NFL: 5
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
- Height: 5’7″
- Weight: 207 lbs
- Team: Kansas City Chiefs
- College: LSU
- Draft: 2020, 1st Round (32nd overall)
- Years in NFL: 4
De’Von Achane
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 188 lbs
- Team: Miami Dolphins
- College: Texas A&M
- Draft: 2023, 3rd Round (84th overall)
- Years in NFL: Rookie
Keaton Mitchell
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 191 lbs
- Team: Baltimore Ravens
- College: East Carolina
- Draft: 2023, Undrafted
- Years in NFL: Rookie
Anthony McFarland
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 193 lbs
- Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
- College: Maryland
- Draft: 2020, 4th Round (124th overall)
- Years in NFL: 4
Michael Carter
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 201 lbs
- Team: New York Jets
- College: North Carolina
- Draft: 2021, 4th Round (107th overall)
- Years in NFL: 3
JaMycal Hasty
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 205 lbs
- Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
- College: Baylor
- Draft: 2020, Undrafted
- Years in NFL: 4
Trayveon Williams
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 208 lbs
- Team: Cincinnati Bengals
- College: Texas A&M
- Draft: 2019, 6th Round (182nd overall)
- Years in NFL: 5
Jaylen Warren
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 215 lbs
- Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
- College: Oklahoma State
- Draft: 2022, Undrafted
- Years in NFL: 2
5’9″ Running Backs
Here is that next tier of running backs, just slightly taller at 5’9″.
| Name | Team |
|---|---|
| Jaleel McLaughlin | Broncos |
| Raheem Blackshear | Panthers |
| Ronnie Rivers | Rams |
| Kyren Williams | Rams |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | Lions |
| Kenneth Gainwell | Eagles |
| Chase Edmonds | Buccaneers |
| Elijah Dotson | Chargers |
| Ameer Abdullah | Raiders |
| Zack Moss | Colts |
| Aaron Jones | Packers |
| D’Andre Swift | Eagles |
| Jerick McKinnon | Chiefs |
| Kenneth Walker III | Seahawks |
| Khalil Herbert | Bears |
| Emari Demercado | Cardinals |
Final Thoughts
As we’ve explored the profiles of the NFL’s shortest running backs, it’s clear that in pro football, determination and skill often speak louder than physical stature.
These players, each standing 5’8″ or shorter, have not only carved a niche for themselves but have also become pivotal components of their respective teams. Their agility, low center of gravity, and explosive speed exemplify that success in the NFL is not exclusively reserved for those who meet traditional height expectations.
They inspire fans and aspiring athletes alike with a simple yet profound message: greatness isn’t measured in inches but in the relentless pursuit of excellence and the heart to overcome odds.
