Who is the heaviest NFL player at the moment? A top 10 list

Who is the heaviest NFL player at the moment? A top 10 list

Kevin Omuya
updated at September 9, 2023 at 11:14 AM

The NFL showcases exceptional athletes, combining strength, speed, and skill. Among the vast array of players, intrigue surrounds the heaviest NFL player. These formidable individuals possess size and strength, often commanding attention on the gridiron. While the identity of the current heaviest NFL player may vary, exploring the history and significance of these players provides valuable insight into the game.

Heaviest NFL player
Offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) of the Oakland Raiders during the first half of the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo: Sarah Stier
Source: Getty Images

Size and strength play a crucial role in players' success. Throughout the history of the NFL, remarkable athletes have dominated the field with their sheer mass. Here are the top 10 heaviest NFL players, showcasing their great size and impact on the game.

Who is the heaviest NFL player?

1. Aaron Gibson (410 lbs)

Tallest and heaviest NFL player
Tackle Aaron Gibson (78) of the Chicago Bears looks on during the game against the Denver Broncos on November 23, 2003, at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo: Brian Bahr
Source: Getty Images

Aaron Gibson holds the title of the heaviest NFL player of all time. Weighing in at an astounding 410 pounds, Gibson was a force to be reckoned with on the field. He is the tallest and heaviest NFL player standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing in at a staggering 410.

Gibson's size and strength made him a valuable asset to his teams. Despite his impressive weight, he was surprisingly agile and effectively blocked opposing players. During his career, he was drafted in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears. Gibson is the heaviest NFL player ever.

2. Terrell Brown (403 lbs)

Tallest and heaviest NFL player
The Rams signed offensive lineman Terrell Brown (71), who tips the scales at 403 pounds. Photo: Bill Boyce
Source: Getty Images

Terrell Brown weighed 403 pounds and was an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss. Although he never played a down in a regular-season NFL game, he was signed by the St. Louis Rams in 2013. Despite this, his stature will forever be remembered as one of the largest in NFL history.

3. Nate Newton (401 lbs)

Heaviest NFL player currently
Guard Nate Newton (61) of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the sideline during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on September 4, 1994, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo: George Gojkovich
Source: Getty Images

Nate Newton was famously known as "The Kitchen." Weighing in at 401 pounds, Newton had a highly successful career as an offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers. During his time in the NFL, he earned six Pro Bowl selections, two First-Team All-Pro honours, and three Super Bowl titles.

Newton's size and power made him a formidable opponent on the field. He was an integral part of the Cowboys' dominant offensive line, the key to their success during the 1990s.

4. Bryant McKinnie (386 lbs)

Heaviest NFL player at each position
Offensive lineman Bryant McKinnie (78) of the Baltimore Ravens during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on November 6, 2011, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo: George Gojkovich
Source: Getty Images

Bryant McKinnie had a long and successful career as an offensive tackle. Weighing in at 386 pounds, he was a first-round draft pick 2002 by the Minnesota Vikings. McKinnie also played for the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins during his career.

McKinnie played 162 games and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2009. With his impressive stature, he was a vital player in both pass protection and run blocking.

5. William "The Refrigerator" Perry (382 lbs)

Heaviest NFL player of all time
Chicago Bears Training - William 'The refrigerator' Perry laughs in training. Photo: Mark Leech
Source: Getty Images

With 382 pounds, Perry was an imposing figure on the field. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1985 and played for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Perry was not only known for his size but also his versatility. He recorded 29.5 career sacks as a defensive tackle but also made a name for himself on offence. Perry famously scored a touchdown during Super Bowl XX, making him the heaviest NFL player to score a touchdown.

6. Trent Brown (380 lbs)

Heaviest NFL player ever
Trent Brown (77) of the New England Patriots runs off of the field against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona. Photo: Cooper Neill
Source: Getty Images

At 380 pounds, Brown was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2015 and has since played for the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Despite his enormous size, Brown is surprisingly agile and has been a valuable asset to his teams. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 and has been a critical figure in pass protection and run blocking throughout his career.

7. Michael Jasper (375 lbs)

Heaviest NFL player to score a touchdown
Offensive lineman Michael Jasper (68) of the New York Giants, looks on from the sideline during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on August 10, 2013, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo: George Gojkovich
Source: Getty Images

With 375 pounds, Jasper was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2011. During his career, he also spent time with the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, and Carolina Panthers.

Jasper's massive size made him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams. Although he never played in a regular-season game, his stature will always be remembered as one of the largest in league history.

8. T.J. Barnes (364 lbs)

Who’s the heaviest NFL player
T.J. Barnes (71), defensive tackle of Carolina, during an OTA practice at the Carolina Panthers training facility in Charlotte, N.C., on May 28, 2019. Photo: John Byrum
Source: Getty Images

T.J. Barnes had a seven-year career as a defensive tackle. Weighing 364 pounds, Barnes went undrafted out of Georgia Tech but found his way onto several NFL rosters. He played for the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Carolina Panthers.

Barnes' size and strength made him a valuable addition to the teams he played for. He appeared in 21 games throughout his career, recording nine total tackles.

9. Mekhi Becton (364 lbs)

Heaviest NFL player today
Mekhi Becton (77) of the New York Jets during morning practice at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on July 28, 2021, in Florham Park, New Jersey. Photo: Rich Schultz
Source: Getty Images

Mekhi Becton is an offensive tackle for the New York Jets. Becton stood at an impressive 6'7" (201 cm) and weighed 364 lbs (165 kg). His substantial size and strength make him a formidable presence on the field, capable of overpowering defenders and providing solid protection for his team's quarterback.

Becton's combination of size, athleticism, and raw power positions him as one of the league's heaviest players and a force to be reckoned with on the offensive line. Becton was drafted in 2020. He has significantly impacted his rookie season; he started 13 games and showcased his impressive speed and agility.

10. Robert Griffin (361 lbs)

Who is the heaviest NFL player right now
Washington Redskins' quarterback Robert Griffin III smiles after competing on day 13 of training camp at Redskins Park in Ashburn, VA, July 30 2012. Photo: John McDonnell
Source: Getty Images

With 361 pounds, Griffin was an offensive lineman who played for the New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts. Although his NFL career was short-lived, Griffin's size made him an intriguing team prospect. Griffin was drafted in 2012 but has yet to make a regular-season roster. He eventually moved on to play in the Champions Indoor Football League.

Heaviest NFL player
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Who is the heaviest NFL player right now?

Mekhi Becton is the heaviest NFL player in the league, an offensive tackle for the New York Jets. Becton weighs an impressive 364 lbs. and stands 6 feet 7 inches tall.

Heaviest NFL players in each position

Challenges Faced by the Heaviest NFL Players
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Vita Vea (50) goes thru a drill during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Minicamp on June 07, 2022, at the Advent-Health Training Center at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. Photo: Cliff Welch
Source: Getty Images

While Becton is the heaviest NFL player at the offensive tackle position, other players in the league have also made a name for themselves due to their size. Here is a quick rundown of the heaviest NFL players at each position:

  • Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers - 240 lbs
  • Running Back: Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans - 247 lbs
  • Wide Receiver: D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks - 229 lbs
  • Tight End: Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 265 lbs
  • Offensive Lineman: Mekhi Becton, New York Jets - 364 lbs
  • Defensive Lineman: Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 347 lbs
  • Linebacker: Dont'a Hightower, New England Patriots - 260 lbs
  • Cornerback: Brandon Browner, Seattle Seahawks - 221 lbs
  • Safety: Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks - 232 lbs

Heaviest active NFL player

Heaviest NFL player at each position
A.J. Cann (60) of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on during Training Camp at TIAA Bank Field on July 29, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo: James Gilbert
Source: Getty Images

In addition to Mekhi Becton, several other active players in the NFL have impressive size and weight. Some of the heaviest NFL players currently in the league include:

  • Trent Brown, offensive tackle for the New England Patriots - 380 lbs
  • Vita Vea, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle - 347 lbs
  • A.J. Cann, offensive guard for the Jacksonville Jaguars - 335 lbs
  • Dontari Poe, defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys - 330 lbs

Who is the heaviest NFL player today?

Mekhi Becton, Trent Brown, and Vita Vea are just a few examples of the massive athletes currently playing in the NFL. These players demonstrate that size and strength can be valuable assets in professional football, allowing them to excel at their respective positions.

Challenges faced by the heaviest NFL players

While size and strength can be advantageous in the NFL, the heaviest players face unique challenges. Maintaining such a high weight can strain their joints significantly and increase the risk of injury. They may struggle with stamina, as carrying extra weight can be exhausting during a game.

Fitness and nutrition for the heaviest NFL players

To maintain their performance on the field, they must adhere to strict fitness and nutrition regimens. This often includes a combination of strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and a high-calorie diet designed to fuel their bodies during intense physical activity.

The heaviest NFL players have consistently impacted the field with their size, strength, and agility. These athletes have left a lasting impression on the sport, from the tallest and heaviest NFL athletes to the most prosperous active ones today. As the game continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see if any future athletes surpass the records set by these gridiron giants.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.