The NFL is renowned for its emphasis on physical stature and athletic prowess.
Although technical skill and refined technique are crucial for professional achievement, possessing significant physical advantages over opponents can provide a notable edge.
Over the league’s history, numerous exceptionally tall athletes have competed, standing well above the majority of their teammates and rivals.
This article highlights the top 10 tallest NFL player ever, as documented by their official listed heights.
10. Demar Dotson – 6’8″
Taking the tenth spot among the tallest NFL players is longtime offensive tackle Demar Dotson, who stands at an even 6’9″ notably, some sources now list him at this height rather than 6’8″.
Dotson was not selected in the 2009 NFL Draft but signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent that same year.
He became a mainstay on Tampa Bay’s offensive line for over a decade, contributing significantly for 11 seasons before joining the Denver Broncos in 2020.
Dotson’s imposing size and strength made him a formidable edge blocker, and his disciplined technique helped him compensate for the challenges that come with being exceptionally tall.
He protected quarterbacks such as Josh Freeman, Mike Glennon, and Jameis Winston during his Buccaneers tenure, and later spent time with the Broncos, demonstrating that an offensive tackle over 6’8″ can anchor an NFL line with the right blend of technique and athleticism.
Dotson is now retired, having completed a 12-year NFL career with career earnings exceeding $29.5 million.
9. Harold Carmichael – 6’8″
Harold Carmichael stands as one of the greatest & tallest NFL wide receiver in Philadelphia Eagles history.
Selected in the seventh round of the 1971 NFL Draft, Carmichael transformed himself from a late-round pick into an Eagles legend.
Through determination and by maximizing his extraordinary physical gifts, Carmichael rewrote the team’s receiving record books.
He remains the Eagles’ all-time franchise leader in career receptions (589), receiving yards (8,978, often rounded to 8,985), and receiving touchdowns (79) across 13 seasons with Philadelphia.
Carmichael’s final NFL season was in 1984 when he played for the Dallas Cowboys. His remarkable catch radius, stemming from his nearly 6’8″ frame, allowed him to outmaneuver defenders and set a new standard for big-bodied receivers in the NFL.
Recently, Carmichael’s legacy was further cemented when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
Harold Carmichael continues to be celebrated as a pioneer for tallest WR in NFL and a beloved figure among Eagles fans.
8. Stone Forsythe – 6’8″
Stone Forsythe, an offensive tackle who stands 6’8″ (and is sometimes listed as 6’9″) and weighs around 307–312 lbs, was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round (208th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.
While he spent his first four NFL seasons with Seattle, Forsythe is now a member of the New York Giants, having signed with them for the 2025 season.
Forsythe’s size (he weighs around 312 pounds) and strength have made him a valuable depth lineman, though he has primarily served as a backup and spot starter. As of the end of the 2024 season, he had appeared in 53 NFL games and started 14.
His versatility has allowed him to see time at both guard and tackle, building on his collegiate experience at Florida.
7. Dan McGwire – 6’8″
Dan McGwire remains the tallest NFL quarterback ever, standing at an imposing 6’8”.
He was selected 16th overall in the 1991 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, who hoped his exceptional size would allow him to see and throw over defensive linemen.
While McGwire demonstrated a strong arm and physical presence early in his career, struggles with accuracy and consistency limited his playing time.
Over five seasons primarily with the Seahawks and a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins McGwire appeared in 13 games, starting only a handful of times, and finished his career with 745 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.
Even so, simply making it to the NFL as a 6’8″ quarterback was a notable feat during an era when elite mobility was not yet a standard expectation at the position.
6. Alejandro Villanueva – 6’9″
Alejandro Villanueva stood out in the NFL as an offensive tackle while also serving as an officer in the United States Army.
After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2010, Villanueva completed three tours of duty in Afghanistan, earning numerous commendations for his service.
Following his military career, he pursued professional football, initially signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2014 before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers later that year.
Villanueva’s imposing height of 6’9” made him one of the league’s tallest football players.
He spent seven NFL seasons, six as a quality starter with the Steelers and one as a starter for the Baltimore Ravens, appearing in 113 games and starting 107.
His consistent performance and leadership made him a respected figure both on and off the field.
Villanueva retired from professional football after the 2021 season and is now recognized for his distinguished service in both the military and the NFL.
5. Ed “Too Tall” Jones – 6’9″
Ed “Too Tall” Jones, standing at an imposing 6’9”, is widely regarded as one of the most physically intimidating defensive ends in NFL history.
Jones enjoyed a celebrated 15-season NFL career, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys.
His tenure stretched from 1974 to 1978 and, after a brief retirement to pursue boxing, he returned from 1980 to 1989.
Throughout this time, he became a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ defense, striking fear in opposing offenses with his size and relentless play.
Living up to his “Too Tall” moniker, Jones used his extraordinary length and strength to overpower blockers and disrupt plays in the backfield.
He finished his career with 106 sacks (unofficially, as sacks were not an official NFL statistic until 1982; his “official” tally is 57.5, but his unofficial total is much higher).
Jones earned three Pro Bowl selections and played a pivotal role on Dallas’s Super Bowl XII championship team.
Ed “Too Tall” Jones demonstrated that exceptional size and strength could make up for any perceived lack of elite athleticism, setting a standard for future generations of dominant defensive linemen.
4. Jonathan Ogden – 6’9″
Jonathan Ogden is widely considered one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history.
The towering 6’9” tackle was selected with the 4th overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
Ogden went on to have a Hall of Fame career spanning 12 seasons, making the Pro Bowl 11 times.
His combination of size, strength, and mobility made Ogden a dominant blindside protector for many years.
Ogden’s impressive career is a testament to how an offensive lineman can thrive in the NFL despite measuring nearly 7 feet tall.
3. Dan Skipper – 6’10”
Dan Skipper is the tallest NFL player currently in 2025, standing at 6’10” and weighing over 300 pounds.
He has spent time with several NFL teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts, though his most notable and consistent contributions have come with the Detroit Lions, where he is currently under contract for the 2025 season.
While Skipper has not secured a full-time starting role, he has developed into a valuable swing tackle and special teams player, stepping in as a starter when injuries arise.
He appeared in all 16 games during the 2024 season for Detroit, starting five times, and has caught notable attention for occasional appearances at tight end and even catching a touchdown pass in a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Despite his massive size, Skipper’s path to the NFL was not guaranteed, he went undrafted out of Arkansas in 2017 and has persevered through multiple practice squad stints.
His combination of length, athleticism, and work ethic gives him the potential to develop further if he continues refining his technique at the professional level.
2. Morris Stroud – 6’10”
Morris Stroud stands out among the tallest NFL players as someone who built a notable career despite his extraordinary height.
Selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 1969 NFL/AFL Draft as a tight end, Stroud played five NFL seasons from 1970 to 1974.
At 6’10”, Stroud used his towering frame to become a unique presence on the field, especially as a special teams standout.
He became famous for positioning himself under the goalposts to attempt blocking field goals, a tactic that led to the NFL adopting the “Stroud Rule,” which now prohibits goaltending on kicks.
Over his career, Stroud caught 54 passes for 977 yards and 7 touchdowns, but his legacy is perhaps best remembered for his innovative play and the rare combination of size and skill that made him a unique figure in NFL history.
1. Richard Sligh – 7’0″
Richard Sligh stands as the tallest player in NFL ever, measuring an imposing 7 feet even and weighing 300 pounds.
He played defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders in 1967, appearing in eight games and even serving as a reserve in Super Bowl II, where the Raiders faced the Green Bay Packers.
Although his NFL career was brief, limited to a single season, Sligh’s extraordinary stature made him a notable and intimidating presence on the field.
He was selected in the 10th round of the 1967 NFL/AFL Draft and remains unmatched in height among all professional football players to this day.
Simply making it to the NFL at 7 feet tall remains a remarkable achievement, and Sligh holds a unique place in league history.
While size is certainly not everything in the NFL, having a major physical advantage in height can open up opportunities.
The 10 tallest guys in NFL on this list used their tremendous stature to varying degrees of success, but all showed that with enough skill, determination, and hard work, even a player measuring nearly 7 feet can thrive and leave their mark at football’s highest level.
Size may not always equal success, but it can certainly help when combined with talent.