Why reach, leverage, and a few extra inches quietly shape NFL careers
Why Is Arm Reach Important in the NFL?
The reach or arm length of an NFL prospect is a key attribute at any position, especially for those playing along the line of scrimmage. Most NFL players are asked to win battles at the point of attack, and the players with the biggest frames and longest reaches have a clear advantage when engaging with an opposing player.
Benefits of Long Arms for Offense
As an offensive tackle, you are attempting to push someone in a particular direction on running plays and to stand your ground on passing plays. If a defender has longer arms than you, that means they are able to get their hands on your body while you can’t get your hands on them. It’s really hard to push people or hold them back if you can’t get your hands on them.
Benefits of Long Arms for Defense
As a defensive end, you shoot your hands into the chest or shoulders of the offensive tackle. Having longer arms means you can keep them at arm’s length without them gaining leverage on you. This allows you to maintain control of the direction you want to move.
Great length can help mask any technical or physical deficiencies a blocker has, especially when combined with power. It also keeps a pass-rusher away from the breastplates of the blocker, the one area that defenders are looking to grab a hold of in order to gain leverage.
And though there are techniques that can help combat the disadvantage of having short arms, long-armed players never really have to worry about learning them. A player that exemplifies the art of gaining leverage with outstanding length is Tyron Smith, who has 36 3/8″ long arms.
How Coaches Value Arm Length
Former San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke had a thing for football players with long arms. He felt it was an important but rare trait. He was of the opinion that, ideally, players on the D-line should have an arm length of 34 inches or more.
Baalke used Aldon Smith as a reference, commenting on how great of a leverage player he was because you couldn’t get to him. His almost 36-inch arm length greatly contributed to this.
Carroll and the Seahawks
It’s long been known that coach Pete Carroll likes cornerbacks who have at least 32” arms. Since arriving to run the Seahawks in 2010, Carroll and general manager John Schneider have not drafted a cornerback with arms less than 32 inches in length.
It’s not a thing that really existed up until 2011, when Seattle drafted the lengthy Richard Sherman in the fifth round (6’3, 32” arms) and turned him into a star, alongside a Pro Bowl season by Brandon Browner (6’3).
That requirement is how they built the Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” defense that led to consecutive Super Bowls and the franchise’s only NFL title in the 2013 and ’14 seasons.
Schneider has stressed that being able to reach for the ball upon contact is an important part of the position. This meant that it was necessary to draft a defensive back with long arms.
How Is Arm Length Measured in the NFL?
Arm length is measured from the end of the bicep or shoulder blade to the tip of the middle finger with the arm extended. The average arm length for a male is around 30 inches.
The arm length of most NFL players is in the range of 30 to 34 inches. There can be players at both the extreme ends of the spectrum. There is Doug Brien, whose arms are only 27.88 inches in length, and Alex Barron, who has an unbelievable arm length of 37.75 inches.
Is Arm Length the Same as Arm Span?
It’s very common for people to confuse arm length with arm span and vice versa. Arm span is defined as the length between the tip of your middle finger on one outstretched arm to the other. Arm span takes shoulder measurements into account, unlike arm length.
An individual with a long arm span might not have a long arm length because they might have wide shoulders. Conversely, an individual could have a short arm span and a long arm length because they have narrow shoulders. The arm span of a person is usually equivalent to their height.
58. Roman Oben (36.00 in)
Roman Oben spent 12 years as an offensive tackle in the NFL. Oben’s arm length is really astonishing for a man his height. David Bakhtiari stands at the same height as Roman, but his arms are two inches shorter.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 10%
57. Frank Omiyale (36.00 in)
Frank Omiyale was a journeyman offensive tackle that played for Atlanta, Carolina, Chicago, and Seattle. After being drafted in 2005, he played in 75 games before retiring in 2012.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 10%
56. Al Woods (36.00 in)
Al Woods is a nose tackle that has played for many teams. He notably had a four-game suspension in 2019 for using performance-enhancing drugs.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 10%
55. James Brown (36.00 in)
James Brown was a defensive tackle that was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1992. He would play for the Jets, Dolphins, and Browns during his career. He was out of the league by 2000.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’6″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 8%
54. Germain Ifedi (36.00 in)
Germain Ifedi is an offensive tackle that entered the league in 2016. He has played as a starting right guard and right tackle.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’6″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 8%
53. Terrance Pennington (36.00 in)
Terrance Pennington was a guard and offensive tackle. He was drafted in the seventh round 2006. He had a brief career as he only played in 16 games before exiting the league in 2009.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’7″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 7%
52. Roderick Johnson (36.00 in)
Roderick Johnson is an offensive tackle that entered the NFL in 2017. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, but he was placed on the injured reserve list before being waived by the team in 2018. He never played a game for the Browns.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’7″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 7%
51. Anthony Clement (36.00 in)
Anthony Clement was an offensive tackle that was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1998. After being released by the Cardinals in 2004, he would bounce around a few teams before leaving the NFL in 2008.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’8″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 6%
50. Trent Brown (36.00 in)
Trent Brown is an offensive tackle that entered the NFL in 2015. He won the Super Bowl in 2018 as a member of the New England Patriots.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’8″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 6%
49. Stalin Colinet (36.00 in)
Stalin Colinet was a defensive tackle and defensive end. He was the first Dominican player in the league when he was drafted in 1997. He played for Minnesota, Cleveland, and Jacksonville before leaving the NFL in 2003.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’6″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 8%
48. Jerry Wunsch (36.00 in)
Jerry Wunsch was an offensive tackle that was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1997. He played in Tampa Bay for five seasons before joining the Seattle Seahawks in 2002. He left the league in 2005.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’6″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 8%
47. Russell Okung (36.00 in)
Russell Okung played for Oklahoma State University and was twice recognized as an All-American. He is an offensive tackle that was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2010. His arm length is at the extreme for his height. Joe Staley is an inch taller than Okung, but he has an arm length of only 33.5 inches.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 9%
46. Tony Ugoh (36.00 in)
Tony Ugoh was an offensive tackle that was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2007. He won a Super Bowl as a member of the 2011 New York Giants. He left the league in 2012.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 9%
45. Joe Barksdale (36.00 in)
Joe Barksdale was an offensive tackle that was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 2011. After leaving the NFL in 2018, he would pursue a music career.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 9%
44. Charles Omenihu (36.00 in)
Charles Omenihu is a defensive end that entered the NFL in 2019; he was drafted by the Houston Texans.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 9%
43. Larry Tharpe (36.00 in)
Larry Tharpe was an offensive tackle that played from 1992 to 2000. He played for Detroit, Arizona, New England, and Pittsburgh.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 10%
42. Rashad Butler (36.00 in)
Rashad Butler was an offensive tackle that was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2006. He would play for Houston, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh before leaving the league in 2013.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 10%
41. Kenard Lang (36.00 in)
Kenard Lang was a defensive end that was drafted in the first round by the Washington Commanders in 1997. He would also play for Cleveland and Denver before leaving the league in 2006.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’3″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 11%
40. Paul Williams (36.00 in)
Paul Williams was a wide receiver drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He spent time in the NFL from 2007 to 2011, including stints with the Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans. He is also the uncle of three-time NWSL champion Lynn Williams.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’1″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 13%
39. Calvin Johnson (36.00 in)
Calvin Johnson is widely regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time. A lot of things have to fall into place for you to become one of the greatest, and Johnson’s remarkable arm length certainly helped. He is truly unique since it’s really rare for a person his height to have arms that long. Johnson has longer arms than Mike Evans, who stands at the same height.
- Arm length: 36.00″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 9%
38. Devin Taylor (36.08 in)
Devin Taylor is a defensive end that was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2013. After leaving the NFL in 2017, he would play in the Alliance of American Football in their sole season. He would also play in the revived XFL in 2020.
- Arm length: 36.08″
- Height: 6’8″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 6%
37. Lincoln Kennedy (36.13 in)
This former offensive tackle played in the NFL for 11 seasons. The average arm length of a 6’6” player in the NFL is around 34 inches, but Kennedy’s arms extend to 36.13 inches. Jonathan Ogden stands two inches taller than Kennedy, but he gives up two inches in arm length.
- Arm length: 36.13″
- Height: 6’6″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 6.2%
36. Victor Riley (36.13 in)
Victor Riley was an offensive tackle that spent eight seasons in the league. He played for Kansas City, New Orleans, and Houston.
- Arm length: 36.13″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 7.2%
35. Andrew Thomas (36.13 in)
Andrew Thomas is an offensive tackle that was drafted by the New York Giants in 2020. He was an All-American at the University of Georgia.
- Arm length: 36.13″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 7.2%
34. Le’Raven Clark (36.13 in)
Le’Raven Clark is an offensive tackle that was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2016. He was a Freshman All-American for Texas Tech.
- Arm length: 36.13″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 7.2%
33. Israel Ifeanyi (36.13 in)
Israel Ifeanyi was a defensive end that had a brief NFL career. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1996.
- Arm length: 36.13″
- Height: 6’3″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 9.2%
32. Bernard Williams (36.13 in)
Bernard Williams was an offensive tackle that only had one NFL season in 1994. He was suspended after his rookie season for testing positive for marijuana. He would play in the Canadian Football League, Arena Football League, and XFL. He would win a Grey Cup in 2004.
- Arm length: 36.13″
- Height: 6’8″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 4.2%
31. Simeon Rice (36.25 in)
Simeon Rice was a defensive end that was drafted in the first round in 1996. His 122 sacks puts him at 20th in the all-time sacks record. He would win a Super Bowl as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Someone of his height would be expected to have an arm length of 33.50 inches, but Rice’s reach hits 36.25 inches. Cameron Heyward stands at the same height as Simeon, but he only has an arm length of 34.25 inches.
- Arm length: 36.25″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 8%
30. Ben Coleman (36.25 in)
Ben Coleman was an offensive guard that was drafted in the second round in 1993. He played for the Cardinals, Jaguars, Chargers, and Commanders by the time he retired in 2001.
- Arm length: 36.25″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 8%
29. Jerome Daniels (36.25 in)
Jerome Daniels was an offensive guard that had a brief NFL career in 1998. He also played in the XFL in 2001.
- Arm length: 36.25″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 8%
28. Brandon Keith (36.25 in)
Brandon Keith was an offensive tackle that had a brief four-year career playing for the Arizona Cardinals. He only played in 24 games in that period.
- Arm length: 36.25″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 8%
27. Eric Ogbogu (36.25 in)
Eric Ogbogu was a defensive end that played for seven seasons in the NFL. He is best known for saying, “We must protect this house!” in advertisements for Under Armour.
- Arm length: 36.25″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 9%
26. Trevor Pryce (36.25 in)
Trevor Pryce played 14 seasons in NFL as a defensive lineman. He is one of few players in the NFL who can boast of having an arm length greater than 36 inches. His 36.25 inches arms are truly amazing for someone who stands at 6’6”. Julius Peppers is an inch taller than Trevor, but Trevor has more than two inches in arm length.
- Arm length: 36.25″
- Height: 6’6″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 7%
25. Jamie Nails (36.25 in)
Jamie Nails played for six seasons as an offensive guard. He played for the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.
- Arm length: 36.25″
- Height: 6’6″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 7%
24. Orlando Pace (36.25 in)
Orlando Pace was an offensive tackle for 13 seasons. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV. His outrageous arm length of 36.25 inches was a contributing factor to his success on the field. Rob Havenstein stands taller than Pace, but his arms are only 33 3/4″ long.
- Arm length: 36.25″
- Height: 6’7″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 5%
23. Robert Hicks (36.25 in)
Robert Hicks had a brief three-year career playing for the Buffalo Bills. He was an offensive tackle.
- Arm length: 36.25″
- Height: 6’7″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 5%
22. Gosder Cherilus (36.25 in)
Gosder Cherilus was an offensive tackle that was drafted in 2008. He played for Detroit, Indianapolis, and Tampa Bay before retiring after the 2016 season.
- Arm length: 36.25″
- Height: 6’7″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 5%
21. Tyron Smith (36.38 in)
Tyron Smith is one of the top offensive tackles in the NFL. He is one of the few freaks who can boast of an arm length of more than 36 inches. Smith’s mammoth 36.38-inch arms are one of the traits that definitely sets him apart from the rest, and he is very good at taking full advantage of it. His arm length is way above the average for his height of 6’5”. Terron Armstead’s arms are two inches shorter than Smith’s despite standing at the same height.
- Arm length: 36.38″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 9%
20. Jarriel King (36.38 in)
Jarriel King is an offensive tackle that only played one game in the 2011 season. He was released by the Seattle Seahawks after he was arrested for sexual assault charges (King would later be acquitted). He would go on to play in the CFL.
- Arm length: 36.38″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 9%
19. Jason Jones (36.38 in)
Jason Jones was a defensive end that spent nine seasons in the NFL. He played for Tennessee, Detroit, Miami, and Seattle.
- Arm length: 36.38″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 9%
18. Malliciah Goodman (36.38 in)
Malliciah Goodman had a brief NFL career playing as a defensive end. He played a total of 37 games across 5 seasons.
- Arm length: 36.38″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 10%
17. Tra Thomas (36.50 in)
Tra Thomas played for the Eagles for 11 seasons as an offensive tackle. Standing at 6’7” and boasting an arm length of 36.50 inches, Thomas was a great leverage player because you couldn’t get to him. Andrew Whitworth is just as tall as Thomas, but his arms are almost two inches shorter.
- Arm length: 36.50″
- Height: 6’7″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 6%
16. Julién Davenport (36.50 in)
Julién Davenport is an offensive tackle that was drafted in 2017. He has played for Houston, Miami, and Indianapolis.
- Arm length: 36.50″
- Height: 6’7″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 6%
15. Dallas Baker (36.50 in)
Dallas Baker was a wide receiver that only played in the 2008 season. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007, but he was only a member of the practice squad in that year and in 2009. He did win a Super Bowl as a member of the Steelers in 2008. He would later play in the National Arena League, Canadian Football League, and the Arena Football League
- Arm length: 36.50″
- Height: 6’3″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 10%
14. Alvin McKinley (36.50 in)
Alvin McKinely spent eight seasons in the NFL as a defensive tackle. He played for Carolina, Cleveland, Denver, and New Orleans.
- Arm length: 36.50″
- Height: 6’3″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 10%
13. Phil Loadholt (36.50 in)
Phil Loadholt was an offensive tackle that spent his entire career playing for the Minnesota Vikings. He played in six seasons after being drafted in 2009.
- Arm length: 36.50″
- Height: 6’8″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 5%
12. Matt Peart ( 36.63 in)
Matt Peart is an offensive tackle that was drafted by the New York Giants in 2020. He played for the University of Connecticut.
- Arm length: 36.63″
- Height: 6’7″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 7%
11. Daniel McCullers ( 36.63 in)
Daniel McCullers was a defensive tackle that played for Pittsburgh for six seasons after being drafted in 2014. He also spent one season with Chicago.
- Arm length: 36.63″
- Height: 6’7″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 7%
10. Ryan Clady (36.75 in)
Ryan Clady is one of the few offensive tackles with a mind-blowing arm length greater than 36 inches. Clady’s arm length of 36.75 inches is at the extreme end of the average for his height. It is quite interesting that Eric Fisher’s arms are significantly shorter than Clady’s despite being quite taller.
- Arm length: 36.75″
- Height: 6’6″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 8%
9. Anthony Alabi (36.75 in)
Anthony Alabi was an offensive tackle that played for two seasons for the Miami Dolphins. After failing to get on a team in the 2008 and 2009 seasons, he retired from football to pursue a career in acting. He has had many roles on television, and he had a lead role in the series Family Reunion.
- Arm length: 36.75″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 9%
8. Jarron Gilbert (36.75 in)
Jarron Gilbert was a defensive end that spent two seasons in the NFL. He is the cousin of three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee.
- Arm length: 36.75″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 9%
7. D. J. Fluker (36.75 in)
D. J. Fluker played college football at Alabama, where he was recognized as an All-American. He is an offensive tackle that was drafted in 2013. Fluker has ridiculously long arms that measure 36–3/4”. His arms are a whopping 4.25 inches longer than Steve Hutchinson’s, who is also 6’5”.
- Arm length: 36.75″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 10%
6. Alonzo Spellman (36.88 in)
Alonzo Spellman was a defensive lineman that played for nine seasons in the NFL. He was out of the NFL by 2001, but he would play for one season in the Arena Football League in 2006.
- Arm length: 36.88″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 11%
5. Stephon Heyer (36.88 in)
Stephon Heyer was an offensive tackle that spent five seasons in the league. He played for Washington and Oakland. He would play for one season in the Canadian Football League in 2014.
- Arm length: 36.88″
- Height: 6’6″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 9%
4. Antonio Anderson (37.75 in)
Antonio Anderson was a defensive lineman for two seasons in the league. He had an unbelievable arm length of 37.75 inches. Lane Johnson stands at the same height as Antonio, but he has significantly shorter arms.
- Arm length: 37.75″
- Height: 6’6″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 11%
3. Alex Barron (37.75 in)
Alex Barron played as an offensive tackle for six seasons. He is one of the very few NFL players to have arms longer than 37 inches. His outrageous arm length of 37.75 inches is way longer than the average for his height. Nate Solder stands just as tall as Barron, but he gives up a significant 2.25 inches in arm length.
- Arm length: 37.75″
- Height: 6’8″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 8%
2. Clifton Geathers (37.75 in)
Clifton Geathers was a defensive end who played for Dallas, Indianapolis, Miami, Philadelphia, and Washington. He has one of the longest arms ever measured in the NFL at 37.75 inches. His arms are a whopping four inches longer than Margus Hunt’s, who is also 6’8”.
- Arm length: 37.75″
- Height: 6’8″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 8%
1. Jon Harris (38.50 in)
This defensive end probably had the longest arms ever measured in the history of the NFL. With arms measuring a staggering 38.5 inches, Harris, who stands at 6’7″, can literally touch his knees without bending down. Calais Campbell is an inch taller than Harris, but his arms are 2.75 inches shorter.
- Arm length: 38.50″
- Height: 6’7″
- Percent longer than the average player his height: 12%
Arm Lengths of Well-Known NFL Stars (For Context)
To put the extremes into perspective, here’s how some of the most recognizable names in NFL history measure up.
These numbers aren’t freakish but they show what normal elite looks like.
Quarterbacks
Arm length matters less here but the range is still revealing.
- Cam Newton — 33.75″
- Aaron Rodgers — 32.25″
- Tom Brady — 32.75″
- Russell Wilson — 31.00″
- Drew Brees — 31.00″
- Michael Vick — 31.50″
- Dak Prescott — 32.25″
- Lamar Jackson — 33.13″
- Carson Wentz — 33.25″
- Jacoby Brissett — 32.25″
- Mitchell Trubisky — 32.00″
- Tim Tebow — 31.75″
Wide Receivers
Length helps at the catch point but timing and separation still rule.
- Julio Jones — 33.75″
- A.J. Green — 34.38″
- Dez Bryant — 34.00″
- Odell Beckham Jr. — 32.75″
- Chad Ochocinco — 32.00″
- Antonio Brown — 31.00″
- Stefon Diggs — 31.25″
- Jarvis Landry — 31.75″
- JuJu Smith-Schuster — 32.88″
- DeSean Jackson — 29.75″
- Jermaine Kearse — 32.13″
Running Backs
Power and balance matter more than reach, short arms are common.
- Derrick Henry — 33.00″
- LeGarrette Blount — 33.50″
- Todd Gurley — 31.50″
- Ezekiel Elliott — 31.25″
- Leonard Fournette — 31.63″
- Le’Veon Bell — 31.50″
- Marshawn Lynch — 31.13″
- LeSean McCoy — 31.75″
- Reggie Bush — 32.25″
- De’Anthony Thomas — 29.88″
Tight Ends
Where arm length starts to quietly matter more.
- Rob Gronkowski — 34.25″
- Vernon Davis — 32.13″
Defensive Stars
Length becomes leverage and leverage becomes production.
- J.J. Watt — 34.00″
- Von Miller — 33.50″
- Joey Bosa — 33.38″
- Patrick Peterson — 32.00″
- Richard Sherman — 32.00″
- Tyrann Mathieu — 31.13″
- Earl Thomas — 31.25″
The Quick Takeaway
Most NFL stars fall between 31 and 34 inches.
That’s what makes the players in the main list so rare.
When someone shows up with 36-plus-inch arms, they’re not just above average, they’re operating in a completely different physical tier.
Keeping Height in Mind
Jonathan Ogden is one of the tallest players in the history of the NFL at 6’9”. The arm length of Ogden is 34.13 inches. Being tall usually comes with long arms, so the arm length of Ogden, though significantly longer than the average of around 30 inches, is pretty average for his height.
Players With Short Arms for Their Height
Being tall does not always come with long arms.
- Former Houston Oilers player Mike Teeter has an arm length of only 28.75 inches despite standing at 6’2”. 2007 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders, who stands at only 5’8”, has longer arms than Teeter.
- At 6’5”, tight end Zach Ertz has an arm length of 31.75 inches. The average arm length of a 6’5” person is around 33.5 inches, so Ertz’s arms are also quite short for his height. Victor Bolden, who stands at only 5’8″, has roughly the same arm length as Ertz.
Players With Long Arms for Their Height
- Former wide receiver Paul Williams beats the norm by having extraordinarily long arms for his height. At 6’1, he has an arm length of 36 inches. His arms are longer than Jonathan Ogden’s, who is 6’9”. Fellow wide receiver Chad Johnson stands at the same height as Williams, but his arm length is nowhere near that of Williams.
- Former cornerback Chris Houston also had unusually long arms for his height. At only 5’10″, Houston has roughly the same arm length as the 6’8” Dennis Kelly.
NFL Players With Short Arms: Not Always a Disadvantage
Not every NFL star is blessed with freakishly long arms. Some players are on the shorter side, but that doesn’t stop them from making a huge impact on the field.
In fact, for interior linemen and linebackers, shorter arms can sometimes be an advantage; it allows them to slip under pads and gain leverage in close-quarters battles.
Here’s a look at some of the notably short-armed players who still left their mark in the NFL:
Around 28–29 Inches
- Brian Treggs — 28.88″
- Leonard Johnson — 28.75″
- Trent Taylor — 28.75″
- DeJuan Groce — 28.75″
- Ben Kelly — 28.75″
- Keith Elias — 28.75″
- Fred Jones — 28.75″
- Mike Teeter — 28.75″
- Jason Elam — 28.63″
- Dexter Carter — 28.63″
- Ryan Benjamin — 28.63″
- Michael Bellamy — 28.50″
- Alan Grant — 28.50″
- Jameel Cook — 28.50″
- Troy Walters — 28.50″
- Chuck Weatherspoon — 28.50″
- Sheldon Canley — 28.50″
- Jimmy Raye III — 28.50″
- Tony Jones — 28.50″
- Quinton Ganther — 28.38″
- Shaud Williams — 28.38″
Around 28 Inches or Less
- Darren Sproles — 28.25″
- Joel Makovicka — 28.25″
- Samie Parker — 28.25″
- Mike Clemons — 28.25″
- Eric Davis — 28.25″
- Van Tiffin — 28.25″
- Ryan Switzer — 28.13″
- Maurice Jones-Drew — 28.13″
- Dion Lewis — 28.13″
- Steve Broussard — 28.00″
- Darvell Huffman — 28.00″
- Braxton Berrios — 28.00″
- Giovani Bernard — 28.00″
- Doug Thomas — 28.00″
- Gary Wellman — 28.00″
- Steve Bartalo — 28.00″
- Doug Brien — 27.88″
- Ron Rivers — 27.88″
- Chad Owens — 27.88″
- Timmy Smith — 27.75″
- Ricky Ervins — 27.50″
- Adam Jennings — 27.27″
- Johnny Bailey — 27.13″
Takeaway
Even with shorter arms, these players prove that skill, technique, and timing often matter more than raw measurements. Arm length is a tool, not a rule, and history shows that great players can shine, no matter their reach.