Who Are the Tallest Safeties 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 Safeties 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 tallest Safeties. Get ready to learn some random, yet interesting, football facts that you can show off to your friends.
Tallest NFL Safeties
The twelve tallest safeties in the NFL each stand at an imposing height of 6’3″ or taller, reflecting a trend towards greater stature in this defensive role. This is significantly higher than the average safety, who typically measures a little over 6’0″.
Additionally, there is another group of about 15 safeties who are 6’2″, just an inch below the players in that top tier.
I’ve included both sets of safeties in the two lists below.
Isaiah Simmons
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 238 lbs
- Team: New York Giants
- College: Clemson
- Draft: 2020, Round 1
- Years in NFL: 4
Jayron Kearse
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 215 lbs
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- College: Clemson
- Draft: 2016, Round 7
- Years in NFL: 8
JL Skinner
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 218 lbs
- Team: Denver Broncos
- College: Boise State
- Draft: 2021, Round 4
- Years in NFL: 3
Kyle Hamilton
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Team: Baltimore Ravens
- College: Notre Dame
- Draft: 2021, Round 1
- Years in NFL: 3
Israel Mukuamu
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 205 lbs
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- College: South Carolina
- Draft: 2021, Round 6
- Years in NFL: 3
Isaiah Pola-Mao
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 205 lbs
- Team: Las Vegas Raiders
- College: USC
- Draft: 2021, Round 7
- Years in NFL: 3
Jeremy Chinn
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Team: Carolina Panthers
- College: Southern Illinois
- Draft: 2020, Round 2
- Years in NFL: 4
Ameer Speed
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 211 lbs
- Team: New England Patriots
- College: Georgia
- Draft: 2022, Round 4
- Years in NFL: 2
Ifeatu Melifonwu
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 213 lbs
- Team: Detroit Lions
- College: Syracuse
- Draft: 2021, Round 3
- Years in NFL: 3
Sam Franklin Jr
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 210 lbs
- Team: Carolina Panthers
- College: Temple
- Draft: 2020, Undrafted
- Years in NFL: 4
Grant Delpit
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 208 lbs
- Team: Cleveland Browns
- College: LSU
- Draft: 2020, Round 2
- Years in NFL: 4
Ryan Neal
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 200 lbs
- Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- College: Southern Illinois
- Draft: 2018, Undrafted
- Years in NFL: 6
6’2″ Safeties
Here is the next group safeties, all listed at 6’2″.
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| JT Woods | Los Angeles Chargers |
| Kamren Curl | Washington Commanders |
| Antonio Johnson | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Lewis Cine | Minnesota Vikings |
| Tre’von Moehrig | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Justin Simmons | Denver Broncos |
| Jordan Fuller | Los Angeles Rams |
| Zayne Anderson | Green Bay Packers |
| Quindell Johnson | Chicago Bears |
| Tycen Anderson | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Harrison Smith | Minnesota Vikings |
| Derwin James | Los Angeles Chargers |
| Kyle Dugger | New England Patriots |
| Miles Killebrew | Pittsburgh Steelers |
Final Thoughts
This article has showcased the tallest Safeties in the league, highlighting a trend toward players with greater height in these defensive positions.
However, it’s crucial to remember that while height can be an advantageous attribute for a Safety, it is not a definitive factor for success. The effectiveness of a Safety relies on a blend of physical attributes, including speed, agility, and the ability to read the game, as well as mental acuity and tactical understanding.
