American football has always valued size, and the NFL has fielded some extraordinarily tall players. From towering offensive linemen to sky-high wide receivers, height can be a major weapon on the gridiron.
⚡ Quick Facts:
- The tallest American football player ever is Richard Sligh at 7 ft 0 in (213 cm)
- This list covers the top 10 tallest American football players of all time
- Heights are shown in both feet/inches and centimetres
Complete List: Top 10 Tallest American football Players
| Rank | Player | Height | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richard Sligh | 7 ft 0 in (213 cm) | United States |
| 2 | Morris Stroud | 6 ft 10 in (208 cm) | United States |
| 3 | Dan Skipper | 6 ft 10 in (208 cm) | United States |
| 4 | Demar Dotson | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) | United States |
| 5 | Ed "Too Tall" Jones | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) | United States |
| 6 | Alejandro Villanueva | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) | United States |
| 7 | Harold Carmichael | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | United States |
| 8 | Calais Campbell | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | United States |
| 9 | Mike Glennon | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) | United States |
| 10 | Brock Osweiler | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) | United States |
1. Richard Sligh — 7 ft 0 in (213 cm)
Country: United States
Richard Sligh is the tallest player in NFL history. The defensive tackle was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1967 and played eight games in his only professional season. Despite his brief career, he holds the record for tallest NFL player ever.
2. Morris Stroud — 6 ft 10 in (208 cm)
Country: United States
Morris Stroud played tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1969 to 1974. He was selected in the AFL-NFL merger era and used his extraordinary height to become a receiving threat. Stroud appeared in 58 games during his career.
3. Dan Skipper — 6 ft 10 in (208 cm)
Country: United States
Dan Skipper is one of the tallest players in modern NFL history. The offensive lineman played for the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions after being drafted in 2017. His massive frame made him a powerful presence on the offensive line.
4. Demar Dotson — 6 ft 9 in (206 cm)
Country: United States
Demar Dotson played offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2020. The undrafted free agent became a reliable starter and protected quarterbacks for over a decade. Dotson started 130 games during his career.
5. Ed "Too Tall" Jones — 6 ft 9 in (206 cm)
Country: United States
Ed “Too Tall” Jones was a legendary defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys from 1974 to 1989. He was the first overall pick in the 1974 NFL Draft and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Jones was a key member of the Cowboys’ Doomsday Defense and played 224 career games.
6. Alejandro Villanueva — 6 ft 9 in (206 cm)
Country: United States
Alejandro Villanueva played offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Before his NFL career, he served three tours in Afghanistan as an Army Ranger. Villanueva became a starter in 2015 and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2017.
7. Harold Carmichael — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: United States
Harold Carmichael was a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1971 to 1983. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020 and held the NFL record for consecutive games with a reception at 127. Carmichael was a four-time Pro Bowl selection.
8. Calais Campbell — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: United States
Calais Campbell is one of the tallest defensive linemen in modern NFL history. He has been a six-time Pro Bowl selection playing for the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and Atlanta Falcons. Campbell has recorded over 90 career sacks.
9. Mike Glennon — 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Country: United States
Mike Glennon is one of the tallest quarterbacks in NFL history. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013, he went on to play for the Bears, Cardinals, Jaguars, Giants, and Dolphins. His height gave him excellent downfield vision.
10. Brock Osweiler — 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Country: United States
Brock Osweiler was a towering quarterback who played for the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, and Miami Dolphins. He helped the Broncos reach Super Bowl 50, which they won in 2016. Osweiler was drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
📏 Want to see how you compare?
Use our free Height Converter to convert your height, or try the Height Comparison Tool to visually compare yourself with these American football giants. Browse our Celebrity Heights database or check out Average Height by Country for more data.
Final Thoughts
Height in American football provides advantages in reach, visibility, and leverage depending on position. These towering athletes demonstrate that the NFL can accommodate players of truly extraordinary stature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the tallest NFL player of all time?
Richard Sligh, a defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders in 1967, is the tallest NFL player ever at 7 ft 0 in (213 cm).
What position do the tallest NFL players play?
The tallest NFL players are typically offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and tight ends. However, tall quarterbacks and wide receivers also benefit from height.
What is the average height of an NFL player?
The average NFL player stands about 6 ft 2 in (188 cm), though this varies significantly by position.