Who is the shortest NFL player at the moment? A ranked list of the 10 shortest American football players

Who is the shortest NFL player at the moment? A ranked list of the 10 shortest American football players

Helix Odhiambo
updated at August 9, 2023 at 9:30 AM

The National Football League has produced players of different heights. Some are short, while others are incredibly tall. Size is an advantage in many sports globally, but some of the shortest NFL players of all time have defied the odds and achieved a lot in their careers.

Shortest NFL player ever
The LA Chargers line up on the field before their preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on 30 August 2018 in Santa Clara, California. Photo: Ezra Shaw
Source: Getty Images

According to sources, the average height of an NFL player is 6 foot 2 inches (1.88 m). However, some footballers measure as low as 5' 10" (1.78 m). So, who is the shortest player in the NFL currently? Top NFL stars have proved that anyone can succeed regardless of height.

How tall is the shortest NFL player?

J.J. Taylor of the New England Patriots is the shortest NFL player right now. He stands at 5' 6" (1.67 m) tall. Philadelphia Eagles' running back Boston Scott and New Orleans Saints receiver and return specialist Deonte Harty also measure 5' 6" (1.67 m) in height.

What NFL players are shorter than 5' 10"?

Generally, most people with a height of 5' 10" (1.78 m) are wide receivers or right-backs. The positions require a level of agility and speed. Here is a list of NFL stars with small heights and incredible talents.

10. Greg Dortch - 5'7″ (1.7 m)

Shortest NFL player currently
Greg Dortch of the Arizona Cardinals runs out during introductions against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on 9 October 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. Photo: Cooper Neill
Source: Getty Images

Dortch is an American footballer playing for the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL. He is a wider receiver and is among the shortest NFL players in 2023.

9. Tyler Snead - 5'7″ (1.7 m)

Shortest NFL player right now
East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Tyler Snead (22) catches a pass during a game against the USF Bulls at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, NC, on 26 October 2019. Photo: Greg Thompson
Source: Getty Images

The experienced placekicker signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted in 2022 from Lowa college. Despite his short height, he is one of the young talents in the football league.

8. Jakeem Grant - 5'7″ (1.7 m)

Shortest NFL player of all time
Jakeem Grant of the Miami Dolphins resting his ankle during training at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southern University on 21 May 2019 in Davie, Florida. Photo: Mark Brown
Source: Getty Images

Jakeem plays as a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. He has also played for the Miami Dolphins and the Chicago Bears. Grant has received multiple teams of the week recognition. In 2012, he got selected for the Pro Bowl.

7. Clyde Edwards-Helaire - 5' 7" (1.7 m)

Shortest NFL player in 2023
Clyde Edwards-Helaire of the Kansas City Chiefs during warm up before their game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on 20 September 2020 in Inglewood, California. Photo: Harry How
Source: Getty Images

The footballer exploded onto the scene in high school before joining Louisiana State University to continue his career. In 2020, he got drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL. His decent performance and achievements as a running back have inspired many undersized footballers to believe in their potential.

6. Devin Singletary - 5' 7" (1.7 m)

How tall is the shortest NFL player?
Devin Singletary (26) of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after a league match against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on 28 November 2019. Photo: Cooper Neill
Source: Getty Images

Devin finished his career at Florida Atlantic University as the all-time leading rusher. He joined the Buffalo Bills in 2019 with the 74th overall pick in the third round. Despite having a short height, the talented running back has always shown confidence in his abilities.

5. Rondale Moore - 5' 7" (1.7 m)

Shortest NFL player in history
Rondale Moore of the Arizona Cardinals looks on against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on 30 October 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo: David Berding
Source: Getty Images

Many people consider Moore one of the best utility players in college. In 2021, the Arizona Cardinals selected him 49th overall. Since then, Moore has become a speedy receiver, showcasing dynamic playmaking abilities.

4. Boston Scott - 5' 7" (1.68 m)

How short is the shortest NFL player?
Philadelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott (35) celebrates after a 30-13 win over the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on 14 November 2021 in Denver, Colorado. Photo: Dustin Bradford
Source: Getty Images

The Philadelphia Eagles' star failed to make his middle school football team because he was too short. However, that did not kill his dream of succeeding in the sport. He proved his doubters wrong in high school and at Louisiana Tech. In 2018, the New Orleans Saints selected him in the 201st overall before joining the Eagles.

3. Jaret Patterson - 5' 6" (1.67 m)

Who is the shortest player in the NFL currently?
Jaret Patterson of the Buffalo Bulls walks off the field after a game against the Akron Zips at UB Stadium on 12 December 2020 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won 56 to 7. Photo: Timothy T Ludwig
Source: Getty Images

Patterson is a talented running back playing for the Washington Commanders. He is among the top 2-star recruits who exceeded expectations and turned their situations around. In his first two seasons with the Commanders, Patterson managed 85 carries for 344 yards, ten catches for 73 yards and scored two touchdowns.

2. Deonte Harty - 5' 6" (1.67 m)

Shortest NFL Players of all time
Deonte Harty of the New Orleans Saints during their preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on 19 August 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Photo: Patrick McDermott
Source: Getty Images

Many teams considered Deonte Harty too small to play football. However, he proved his talent at Division II Assumption College by setting records. Later, Deonte signed with the New Orleans Saints as a rookie undrafted free agent in 2019. As a wide receiver and return specialist, he joined the Buffalo Bills in March 2023.

1. J.J. Taylor - 5' 6" (1.67 m)

What NFL players are shorter than 5' 10"?
J.J. Taylor of the New England Patriots leaves the field after the 45-7 win against the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium on 14 November 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo: Maddie Meyer
Source: Getty Images

Taylor is the shortest NFL player in 2023. He is also the shortest running back specialist in the league. The footballer spent his time on the practice squad before making a breakthrough in his career. He joined the New England Patriots in the 2020 NFL draft.

Shortest NFL player in history

Legendary Staten Island Stapletons star Jack Shapiro is considered the shortest NFL player of all time. Shapiro was a blocking fullback in the 1920s and stood at 5'1" (1.55 m). In 1999, he received recognition from the Guinness Book of Records as the shortest NFL player ever.

How short is the shortest NFL player?

While the NFL has produced few short footballers in history, it is yet to have those with a height below 5 feet (1.52 m). Jaret Patterson, Deonte Harty, and J.J. Taylor are the shortest NFL stars in 2023. Find out below who is the shortest NFL player currently and his team.

Trindon Holliday is also among the shortest NFL players in history. He is 5'5" (1.65 m). Holliday represented the Houston Texans, the Giants, the 49ers, the Raiders, and the Buccaneers. Football is a demanding sport that gives equal opportunities, even to the shortest NFL player in history. J.J. Taylor, Deonte Harty, and Jaret Patterson have defied the narrative that only tall footballers have a chance in the sport.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.