Could You Be Drafted in the NFL?

Have you ever wondered if you could make it onto an NFL roster? While skill and dedication are crucial, the modern NFL also demands a rare combination of height, weight, and body composition.

A new report by Doc’s Sports explores how the physical requirements and body types of NFL players have transformed over the past fifty years, contrasting these trends with those in the general U.S. population.

Key Takeaways

The average NFL player today stands 6'2" and weighs about 241 lbs—up 20 lbs since the 1970s.
While the U.S. population’s average height has recently declined by 0.5 inches over 24 years, NFL heights have slightly increased (+0.12 inches since the 1970s).
Offensive linemen are the true outliers, with a +58.6 lb weight gain since the 1970s—the steepest of any position.

Overall NFL Trends (1974–2025)

Height Evolution

1970s average: 73.95 inches (6'1.95")
2020s average: 74.07 inches (6'2.07")
Total change: +0.12 inches over 50 years

Weight Evolution

1970s average: 220.92 lbs
2020s average: 240.78 lbs
Total change: +19.9 lbs over 50 years

Position-Specific Evolution

Greatest Weight Increases

Offensive Line: +58.6 lbs (256.3 → 314.9 lbs)
Defensive Line: +34.3 lbs (254.8 → 289.1 lbs)
Tight End: +19.0 lbs (229.4 → 248.5 lbs)

Greatest Height Increases

Offensive Line: +1.18 inches (75.8" → 76.9")
Tight End: +1.04 inches (75.6" → 76.6")
Special Teams: +0.96 inches (72.3" → 73.3")

Unexpected Trends

Running Backs: Height decreased by 1.3 inches (72.1" → 70.8")
Defensive Backs: Minimal weight gain (+6.6 lbs) and slight height decrease (–0.15")

Current Position Characteristics (2020s)

Largest Players

Offensive Line: 6'5", 314.91 lbs (BMI: 37.4)
Defensive Line: 6'3.5", 289.11 lbs (BMI: 35.7)

Smallest Players

Running Backs: 5'10.8", 212.69 lbs (BMI: 29.8)
Defensive Backs: 6'0.1", 196.18 lbs (BMI: 26.5)

Speed Positions (WR, DB, RB): Average BMI = 27.5

Power Positions (OL, DL): Average BMI = 36.6

Complete Position BMI Rankings (2020s)

Offensive Line: BMI 37.4
Defensive Line: BMI 35.7
Linebacker: BMI 30.5
Running Back: BMI 29.8
Tight End: BMI 29.8
Special Teams: BMI 27.5
Quarterback: BMI 27.4
Defensive Back: BMI 26.5
Wide Receiver: BMI 26.3

Comparison with the General Population

Height Comparison

NFL trend: +0.0024 inches/year (increasing)
Population trend: –0.0138 inches/year (decreasing)
Difference: NFL trend is 0.0162 inches/year higher

Weight Comparison

NFL trend: +0.40 lbs/year
Population trend: +0.85 lbs/year
Difference: General population gaining weight 0.46 lbs/year faster

Sport-Specific Effect Analysis

Expected 2020s NFL weight (following population trend): 263.6 lbs
Actual 2020s NFL weight: 240.8 lbs
Sport-specific moderation: –22.8 lbs

BMI Analysis

2020s NFL average BMI: 30.9 (Class I Obesity)
2023 Population BMI: 28.2 (Overweight)
Difference: +2.7 BMI points

Despite the current average NFL BMI of 30.9—formally in the “obese” range—this label is often misleading for professional athletes. BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat, so players, especially linemen, may have high BMI due to increased muscle mass rather than body fat.

Full Result by Decade and Position

Methodology

Data Sources

NFL Player Data: NFLverse database aggregating data from NFL.com, Pro Football Reference, and team records
Population Data: CDC National Center for Health Statistics for 19-year-old Americans

Sample Characteristics

NFL Sample: 24,505 unique NFL players (1974–2025)
Population Reference: CDC data for 19-year-olds, aligning with typical football entry age

Position Classification

Players grouped into 9 primary positions based on NFLverse taxonomy
Primary position used for players with multiple roles

Measurements

Heights and weights from official NFL combine/team records
Heights recorded in inches, converted for display
Weights recorded in pounds
BMI = (weight in pounds / height in inches²) × 703

Temporal Analysis

NFL data grouped by decade (1970s–2020s)
Population data aligned with those periods
Trends analyzed using linear regression

Data Quality and Limitations

Some early-era player data may be incomplete
Position classification required normalization across eras
Combine weights may not match in-season playing weights
CDC 19-year-old data serves as best proxy for athletic entry age

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Start:	August 27, 2025 @ 9:00 PM
Expert:	Tony George
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