Why do only a rare few NFL players surpass 6’9″? Height can be a game-changing advantage, yet most fans and aspiring athletes don’t understand how the tallest players leverage their size to dominate.
Missed blocks, mismatched coverage, and untapped potential often come down to one question: How does extreme height impact performance?
This post reveals how legends like 7-foot Richard Sligh and today’s tallest active players (2025’s record-holder included) used their height as an unstoppable weapon.
We break down the strategies, stats, and untold stories behind the NFL’s most towering giants so you finally see how size shapes football’s ultimate edge!
Top 10 Tallest NFL Players of All Time
Here’s a complete ranking of the tallest NFL players ever recorded, including Hall of Famers, brief legends, and one unforgettable 7-footer.
| Rank | Name | Height | Position | Teams Played For | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richard Sligh | 7’0″ | Defensive Tackle | Raiders, Bengals (AFL) | Tallest NFL player ever |
| 2 | Morris Stroud | 6’10” | Tight End | Kansas City Chiefs | Used height for FG blocks |
| 3 | Dan Skipper | 6’10” | Offensive Tackle | Lions, Cowboys, Broncos (current) | Tallest current NFL player |
| 4 | Matthew O’Donnell | 6’9″ | Offensive Guard | Cincinnati Bengals (briefly), CFL | Brief NFL stint |
| 5 | Jonathan Ogden | 6’9″ | Offensive Tackle | Baltimore Ravens | Hall of Famer |
| 6 | Ed “Too Tall” Jones | 6’9″ | Defensive End | Dallas Cowboys | Iconic nickname |
| 7 | Alejandro Villanueva | 6’9″ | Offensive Tackle | Steelers, Ravens | Former Army Ranger |
| 8 | Caleb Jones | 6’9″ | Offensive Tackle | Green Bay Packers | Young, undrafted lineman |
| 9 | Jordan Murray | 6’9″ | Offensive Tackle | Indianapolis Colts | Emerging talent |
| 10 | Trent Brown | 6’8″ | Offensive Tackle | Patriots, 49ers, Raiders | Still active |
Dan Skipper currently leads the pack among active NFL players, standing as tall as Morris Stroud at 6’10”. Let’s learn more details about them.
1. Richard Sligh – The Tallest NFL Player Ever
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 7 feet (213 cm) |
| Position | Defensive Tackle |
| College | North Carolina Central University |
| Drafted | 1967 – 10th Round |
| NFL/AFL Career | Raiders, Bengals (1967–68) |
| Games Played | 8 |
| Legacy | Tallest player in NFL history |
Think of how a human tower would look like running at you, that’s how Richard Sligh must have looked like to his opponents.
Richard Sligh’s remarkable height made him an instant legend despite his brief professional career.
Though Richard Sligh played only 8 professional games, his towering 7-foot frame earned him a permanent spot in NFL trivia and fan discussions even decades later.
At 7 feet tall, he stood head and shoulders above opponents, becoming a fascinating curiosity during the late 1960s AFL era.
Despite his limited playing time and short stint with the Oakland Raiders, his name remains etched in football history as the tallest player ever to step on a professional field — a record that still stands today.
2. Morris Stroud – 6’10” Tight End Legend
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6’10” (208 cm) |
| Position | Tight End |
| College | Clark Atlanta University |
| NFL Career | Kansas City Chiefs (1969–1974) |
| Games Played | 69 |
| Legacy | Used height to block kicks; forced rule change |
Morris Stroud changed how teams utilised exceptional height, particularly on special teams, where his 6-foot-10 height often created opportunities that few others could replicate.
Stroud became a special-teams weapon, famously using his height to disrupt field goals by positioning himself directly under the crossbar and attempting to swat down kicks, a move that stunned opponents and intrigued fans.
His tactic forced the NFL’s hand, leading the league to ban such attempts, a rare example of a player changing the rulebook.
This bold innovation cemented his legacy as more than just a physical anomaly; he became a true rule-changer who made the league rethink its regulations.
3. Dan Skipper – Current Height King
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6’10” (208 cm) |
| Position | Offensive Tackle |
| College | University of Arkansas |
| NFL Career | Detroit Lions, various teams (2017–present) |
| Games Played | 20+ (as of 2025) |
| Legacy | Tallest active NFL player |
Dan Skipper shows how tall NFL players can succeed today. His height stands out in the fast-paced game.
Dan is still the tallest player in the NFL today. He stands at an impressive 6’10”, like Morris Stroud.
Even though teams passed on him, his size and determination got him starting spots on many teams. He especially made his mark with the Detroit Lions.
4. Jonathan Ogden – Hall of Fame Giant
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6’9″ (206 cm) |
| Position | Offensive Tackle |
| College | UCLA |
| NFL Career | Baltimore Ravens (1996–2007) |
| Games Played | 177 |
| Legacy | First-ever draft pick by Ravens, HOF 2013 |
Jonathan Ogden is one of the most decorated tall players in NFL history and pushed the role of a left tackle.
A dominant presence on the offensive line and a Baltimore Ravens icon, Ogden’s rare blend of towering 6-foot-9 size, quick footwork, and flawless technique made him an impenetrable wall protecting Ravens quarterbacks and a nightmare for opposing defenders.
Over his 12-season career, he earned multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, helping Baltimore capture its first Super Bowl in 2001.
He stands not only as one of the tallest but also as one of the most accomplished players in NFL history, a legacy honored with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
5. Ed “Too Tall” Jones – A Name That Says It All
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6’9″ (206 cm) |
| Position | Defensive End |
| College | Tennessee State University |
| NFL Career | Dallas Cowboys (1974–1989) |
| Games Played | 224 |
| Legacy | Iconic nickname; multi-sport athlete |
Ed “Too Tall” Jones earned his nickname with his sheer 6-foot-9 presence, becoming one of the NFL’s most recognizable figures.
A relentless pass rusher for the Dallas Cowboys, he used his reach to disrupt quarterbacks and bat down passes with ease.
His towering frame made him stand out on the field and in pop culture, landing him acting roles and media attention.
During his long Cowboys career, Jones became both a defensive cornerstone and a beloved fan favourite — a lasting icon of the NFL’s golden era.
Top 5 Tallest Active NFL Players (2025)
These players currently represent the tallest athletes competing in professional football:
| Rank | Name | Height | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Skipper | 6’10” (208 cm) | Detroit Lions | Offensive Tackle |
| 2 | Caleb Jones | 6’9″ (206 cm) | Green Bay Packers | Offensive Tackle |
| 3 | Jordan Mailata | 6’8″ (203 cm) | Philadelphia Eagles | Offensive Tackle |
| 4 | Orlando Brown Jr. | 6’8″ (203 cm) | Kansas City Chiefs | Offensive Tackle |
| 5 | Zach Gentry | 6’8″ (203 cm) | Pittsburgh Steelers | Tight End |
Dan Skipper leads today’s NFL at 6’10”, with several 6’8″ and 6’9″ players competing for roster spots across multiple teams.
These athletes demonstrate that exceptional height remains valuable in modern football, particularly along offensive lines where reach and leverage provide crucial advantages.
Does Height Matter In The NFL?
Height isn’t just a physical trait in the NFL — it’s a strategic asset that can shift the momentum of a game across multiple positions.
Blocking Advantage:
Taller offensive linemen utilise their extended arm length and superior leverage to effectively fend off defenders, creating larger blocking surfaces that give quarterbacks additional time in the pocket.
Their height allows them to engage defenders at advantageous angles, making it harder for pass rushers to get around or under their blocks.
This natural advantage becomes particularly valuable in pass protection situations where split-second timing can determine success or failure.
Defensive Disruption:
Massive defensive tackles and ends leverage their exceptional height to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage, disrupting timing routes and forcing quarterbacks to adjust their throwing angles.
Their towering presence creates natural obstacles that offensive coordinators must account for when designing plays.
This height advantage also helps in run defence, where tall defenders can see over offensive lines to diagnose plays more effectively.
Red Zone Threats:
Tall tight ends and receivers become invaluable targets in scoring situations, where their height creates mismatches against shorter defensive backs and linebackers.
Teams often design specific plays to exploit these height advantages, particularly on fade routes and corner throws where vertical space is limited.
Their ability to reach over defenders makes them reliable targets in crucial scoring situations.
Special Teams Impact:
Historical players like Morris Stroud demonstrated how extreme height could revolutionise special teams play, attempting innovative blocking techniques that forced rule changes.
Tall players provide advantages in both punt coverage and field goal protection, where their reach can disrupt kicking operations.
Their presence on special teams units adds strategic complexity that opposing coaches must specifically prepare for.
How Rare Are 7-Foot Players in the NFL?
NFL athletes exceeding 6’8″ are extraordinarily rare, and confirmed 7-footers remain virtually nonexistent in professional football.
The combination of speed, agility, and football-specific skills required at the highest level makes it exceptionally difficult for ultra-tall players to succeed consistently.
Richard Sligh stands as the only documented 7-footer in recorded NFL history, making him a true statistical anomaly among athletic giants who have competed at football’s highest level.
Also Check:
Conclusion: Richard Sligh Is the Tallest NFL Player of All Time, Standing at 7 feet, a Record that Still Stands Unmatched!
Football is a game where size matters, but a few players took that to another level. Richard Sligh wasn’t just tall—he was 7 feet tall, a literal giant lining up against men half a foot shorter.
And while his NFL career lasted just eight games, his name still comes up anytime people talk about the biggest players to ever step on the field.
Guys like Dan Skipper (6’10″) keep proving that height isn’t just for show, and that it’s a real weapon. When you’re that tall, you see the game differently. Your reach changes blocking angles.
But here’s the thing: being massive doesn’t guarantee success. These players had to work harder to master footwork, leverage, and speed—turning what could’ve been a novelty into a genuine advantage.
In a league full of extraordinary athletes, the true giants, the ones who lasted did more than stand out!
FAQs
Richard Sligh is known for being the tallest player ever at 7 feet, despite a brief eight-game career.
At 6’10”, Stroud is remembered for trying to block kicks under the goalpost — a move later banned.
Taller players may face challenges like reduced agility, higher injury risk, and difficulty maintaining low leverage in contact.
Most NFL players range between 6’0″ and 6’6″, depending on their role on the field.
Yes, players like Morris Stroud forced rule changes, proving height can influence the game beyond physical play.
