Who Are the Tallest Running Backs in the NFL? (2023-24)
As a sports performance coach with twenty years of experience, I’ve consistently recognized the value of providing collegiate running backs with insights into the heights and weights of NFL players. This approach can not only be motivational for athletes but also a powerful tool for setting realistic expectations.
This season, I’ve dedicated the same effort to my research as in previous years. I thoroughly examined the 53-man active rosters from the 2023 NFL season, immediately following the final preseason cuts. This analysis encompassed nearly 1700 players.
Responding to popular demand, I have put together a specialized guide centered on the NFL’s tallest running backs. Get ready to share some random, yet insightful, football facts with your friends.
Tallest NFL Running Backs
In the NFL, where the average running back stands just over 5’10½”, a select group of athletes breaks the mold with their exceptional height. The five tallest running backs in the NFL, each tower at 6’2″ or above.
These players not only defy the conventional height statistics for their position but also bring a unique blend of power and agility to the field. Their stature offers a distinctive advantage in certain aspects of gameplay, challenging the traditional perceptions of the ideal running back build.
Derrick Henry
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 247 lbs
- Team: Tennessee Titans
- College: Alabama
- Draft: 2016, Round: 2, Pick: 45 (Titans)
- Years in NFL: 8
Latavius Murray
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 230 lbs
- Team: Buffalo Bills
- College: UCF (University of Central Florida)
- Draft: 2013, Round: 6, Pick: 181 (Raiders)
- Years in NFL: 11
Cordarrelle Patterson
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Team: Atlanta Falcons
- College: Tennessee
- Draft: 2013, Round: 1, Pick: 29 (Vikings)
- Years in NFL: 11
Roschon Johnson
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 225 lbs
- Team: Chicago Bears
- College: Texas
- Draft: 2023, Round: 4, Pick: 115 (Bears)
- Years in NFL: Rookie
Antonio Gibson
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Team: Washington Commanders
- College: Memphis
- Draft: 2020, Round: 3, Pick: 66 (Commanders)
- Years in NFL: 4
Next in Line – 6’1″ Running Backs
There is another group of Running Backs that is just below these top 5 at 6’1″. I thought I’d go ahead and share them with you as well.
| Name | Team |
|---|---|
| Chuba Hubbard | Carolina Panthers |
| Kene Nwangwu | Minnesota Vikings |
| Zach Charbonnet | Seattle Seahawks |
| Isaiah Spiller | Los Angeles Chargers |
| Tyrion Davis-Price | San Francisco 49ers |
| Joe Mixon | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Gary Brightwell | New York Giants |
| Christopher Brooks | Miami Dolphins |
| Brian Robinson | Washington Commanders |
| James Conner | Arizona Cardinals |
| D’Onta Foreman | Chicago Bears |
| Gus Edwards | Baltimore Ravens |
| Najee Harris | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Hunter Luepke | Dallas Cowboys |
Final Thoughts
This quick guide has provided a comprehensive overview of some of the tallest running backs in the NFL, a unique group that stands out in a position traditionally dominated by shorter players.
While height can be an advantage, it is by no means a determining factor for success in this demanding position. The core attributes of a successful running back – hard work, talent, agility, and mental toughness – are what truly set these athletes apart.
