Players in the NFL have evolved significantly over the past few decades. Professionalism, earnings, and specialized skills have all grown, but perhaps the most noticeable changes are in sheer size and strength. Even from high school, quarterbacks are learning to read complex defenses, while those defenses utilize intricate stunts and blitz packages. This specialization begins early and continues into college, where many programs have adopted pro-style offenses to better prepare players for the NFL.
The increasing specialization in the NFL, combined with evolving offensive and defensive strategies, has resulted in new ideal body types for each position. Customized conditioning and nutritional programs are designed to maximize each player’s physical potential for their specific role. While players at most positions are bigger and stronger than their predecessors, sizes and body styles have diverged significantly based on position requirements. Data analysis reveals a clear trend: a 6’3″, 280-pound athlete might be too big for skill positions yet too small for the line. A recent study of 2013 NFL rosters showed average player weights ranging from 193 pounds for cornerbacks to a staggering 315 pounds for offensive guards. Height variations, while less extreme, ranged from 5’11” for running backs and cornerbacks to 6’5″ for offensive tackles.
The most striking difference in size is seen on the offensive and defensive lines. In the early 1980s, Washington Commanders offensive tackle Joe Jacoby, already a formidable 6’7″ and 275 pounds, was told he needed to gain weight to succeed in the NFL. Through rigorous training, Jacoby increased his bench press by 100 pounds, added 30 pounds of body weight, and improved his 40-yard dash time to five seconds flat.
He joined the team as an undrafted free agent and became a key member of the legendary “Hogs” offensive line, which paved the way for three Super Bowl victories. However, by today’s standards, the “Hogs” might not appear as physically imposing. Even Jacoby, once described as so large that “Andre the Giant wears his hand-me-downs,” would likely blend in with the modern linemen. By 2013, the median weight for NFL guards and tackles had reached 310 pounds, surpassing Jacoby’s playing weight. Even one of the smallest Hogs, Hall of Famer Russ Grimm, at 6’3″ and 273 pounds, would be among the smallest guards in today’s league.
For defensive ends, the need for speed and agility to effectively rush the quarterback somewhat limits the emphasis on sheer size. Analysis of 2013 rosters showed defensive ends averaging 283 pounds and 6’4″ tall. However, defensive tackles, tasked with stopping the run, averaged 6’3″ and 310 pounds. These measurements dwarf legendary players like Mean Joe Greene (6’4″, 275 pounds) and Randy White (6’4″, 257 pounds).
The common misconception that players at every position are significantly larger than previous generations isn’t always accurate. In some cases, the ideal physique for today’s game actually favors a smaller build. Running backs exemplify this trend. Bronko Nagurski, a legendary running back of the 1930s, was a powerful 6’2″ and 226 pounds. While his size and strength allowed him to dominate, today’s running backs average just under 6 feet and 215 pounds.
While Nagurski wouldn’t be outmatched purely in terms of size, modern running backs rely on agility and explosiveness. They utilize their size to hide behind massive linemen, training extensively to develop the acceleration and lower body strength needed to burst through holes and gain extra yardage. Similarly, quarterback height hasn’t drastically changed. Legends like Sammy Baugh (6’2″), Bart Starr (6’1″), and Joe Montana (6’2″) wouldn’t be dwarfed by today’s quarterbacks. However, the average weight for quarterbacks has increased to around 224 pounds, likely due to improved training and the need to withstand hits from increasingly larger defensive players. This increase signifies a shift towards a more robust physique, even in positions not traditionally associated with massive size.
