Who’s the Smallest NFL Player?

We all know that NFL players are some of the biggest and strongest athletes in the world. But have you ever wondered who the smallest player in the NFL is?

At just 5’7″ and 180 pounds, wide receiver Tavon Austin is the smallest player in the NFL. Despite his small stature, Austin is a big playmaker for the Los Angeles Rams, and is one of the most dangerous punt returners in the league.

So next time you’re watching an NFL

Introduction

NFL rosters are filled with some of the biggest, strongest and most physically gifted athletes in the world. At 6-foot-7 and 350 pounds, Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Garry Gilliam is one of the tallest players in the league. Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson, meanwhile, is one of the shortest at 5-foot-10.

But who is the smallest player in the NFL? That distinction belongs to Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Tavon Austin, who stands just 5-foot-8 and weighs 176 pounds.

Height Requirements for the NFL

In order to even be considered for the NFL, players must meet certain height requirements. For example, quarterbacks typically have an advantage if they are taller, as they can see over the offensive line to make throws. Cornerbacks, on the other hand, tend to be shorter and faster so they can keep up with wide receivers.

The average height for an NFL player is about 6 feet 2 inches, but there are plenty of players who are shorter or taller than that. In fact, the range of heights for NFL players is actually quite large, from 4 feet 10 inches (Russell Wilson) all the way up to 7 feet 6 inches (Moritz Boehringer).

Interestingly, there seems to be a trend toward taller players in recent years. This is likely due to the fact that taller players have a genetic advantage when it comes to playing football. They are simply able to reach higher and jump higher than their shorter counterparts.

So, who is the smallest NFL player? That would be Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Scotty Miller, who stands at just 5 feet 9 inches tall. Despite his relatively small stature, Miller is considered one of the fastest players in the league and is a dangerous weapon on offense.

The Tallest and Shortest Players in NFL History

The NFL has had some very tall and very short players throughout its history. The tallest player in NFL history is Richard Sligh, who was 7’0” tall and played for the Oakland Raiders in 1967. The shortest player is Jack Shapiro, who was just 5’3” and played for the New York Giants in 1927.

One of the most famous short players in NFL history is “Golden Buddha” George Blanda, who was 6’0” tall and played for the Houston Oilers and Oakland Raiders from 1960 to 1975. Blanda is one of only two players in NFL history to play for 26 seasons, and he holds the record for most points scored by a non-kicker with 2,002. He was also named the AFL Player of the Year in 1961 and 1970.

The tallest player in NFL history is Richard Sligh, who was 7’0” tall and played for the Oakland Raiders in 1967. Sligh only played in eight games that year, but he is still the tallest player ever to play in the NFL. He actually started his career as a basketball player, but he decided to switch to football after being drafted by the Raiders in 1967.

At just 5’3”, Jack Shapiro is the shortest player in NFL history. He played wide receiver for the New York Giants in 1927 and appeared in one game before being released by the team. Shapiro then went on to have a successful career as a vaudeville performer.

The Shortest Players in the NFL Today

There are currently twelve players in the NFL who are 6’0” or shorter. Of those twelve, eleven play on the offensive side of the ball, while only one play on defense. Here is a list of the shortest NFL players by height.

Offensive lineman Britton Colquitt, who is 6’0”, is currently the shortest player in the NFL. He has been with the Denver Broncos since 2010 and is currently in his ninth season with the team.

Running back Phillip Lindsay, also 6’0”, is in his second season with the Broncos. Lindsay went undrafted out of college but has become one of Denver’s most productive offensive players.

Wide receiver Cole Beasley, another Bronco, is 5’8” and in his ninth season in the league. Beasley has spent time with both the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills but has found a home in Denver.

Quarterback Kyler Murray, at 5’10”, is tied for the fourth-shortest player in the NFL. He is in his rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals after being drafted first overall out of Oklahoma.

Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, also 5’10”, is in his second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fitzpatrick was drafted eleventh overall out of Alabama in 2018 and was traded to Pittsburgh midway through last season.

Why Size Matters in the NFL

Size matters in the NFL. That’s why the vast majority of players are big. But there are always a few outliers, like the 5’7” running back Darren Sproles or the 5’9” wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

In general, the bigger players are better suited for certain positions. For instance, linemen need to be big and strong to be able to hold their ground against opponents who are trying to push them around. Cornerbacks need to be fast and agile to keep up with wide receivers.

But size isn’t everything. There have been plenty of players who have overcome their lack of size to have successful careers in the NFL. For instance, Jerry Rice, who is widely considered the greatest receiver of all time, was only 6’2”.

So if you’re wondering who the smallest player in the NFL is, you might be surprised to learn that there are a few players who tie for that distinction. Here they are:

Conclusion

So, who is the smallest NFL player? All of the players mentioned above are under 5’8”, but the title of shortest player in NFL history goes to Jack Shapiro, who played for the Staten Island Stapletons in 1929. Shapiro was just 5’3” and 130 pounds.