Who Are the Tallest Guards in the NFL? (2023-24)
As a sports performance coach with twenty years of experience, I’ve consistently seen the benefits of sharing the heights and weights of NFL players with the college athletes I coach. This approach has been a powerful tool for inspiration and motivation, as well as providing a necessary reality check at times.
For the current season, I embarked on my usual in-depth research. I analyzed the 53-man active rosters of the 2023 NFL season post-final preseason cuts, covering nearly 1700 players. I then categorized these players by their positions.
Responding to popular demand, I have put together a guide centered on the NFL’s tallest Guards this year. Each of these players measures 6’6″ or taller. Get ready to wow your friends with some interesting (and obscure) football facts.
The NFL’s Tallest Guards
There are two guards that stand above the rest at 6’7″. I’ll begin by highlighting both of those players.
Only one inch shorter, 18 players are listed at exactly 6’6″. That’s a substantial number considering there are only about 100 guards total in the entire league. I also give you that list of guys just below.
Andrus Peat
- Height: 6’7″
- Weight: 316
- Team: New Orleans Saints
- College: Stanford
- Draft: 1st Round, 13th Overall (Saints)
- Years in NFL: 9
Marcus McKethan
- Height: 6’7″
- Weight: 335
- Team: New York Giants
- College: North Carolina
- Draft: 5th Round (Giants)
- Years in NFL: Rookie
6’6″ Guards
As promised, here are the 18 guards listed at 6’6″.
| Player Name | Team Name |
|---|---|
| Brady Christensen | Carolina Panthers |
| Austin Schlottmann | Minnesota Vikings |
| Cody Mauch | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Will Fries | Indianapolis Colts |
| David Edwards | Buffalo Bills |
| Andrew Wylie | Washington Commanders |
| Alex Cappa | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Ezra Cleveland | Minnesota Vikings |
| Cordell Volson | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Colby Sorsdal | Detroit Lions |
| Nick Saldiveri | New Orleans Saints |
| Trey Smith | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Halapoulivaati Vaitai | Detroit Lions |
| Cade Mays | Carolina Panthers |
| Max Scharping | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Josh Sills | Indianapolis Colts |
| Landon Dickerson | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Ben Cleveland | Baltimore Ravens |
Final Thoughts
In the NFL, size can certainly be a significant factor, especially for positions like guards. While towering height might be a spotlight-stealer for offensive tackles, for guards, it’s more about the blend of size and agility. This combination is crucial for effectively holding off those powerhouse defensive tackles and maintaining a sturdy pocket.
But let’s not forget, as we conclude this guide, that size is just one part of the equation.
The true mark of an NFL Guard is found in their technical proficiency, their unwavering dedication to refining their craft, and a relentless commitment to excellence. Remember, it’s the balance of physical attributes with skill and hard work that sets apart the good from the great on the football field.
