Top 10 heaviest NFL players ever – Will Desmond Watson, at 464 pounds, break the record?

Desmond Watson, a 464-pound defensive tackle, could become the heaviest NFL player ever

Published on: Mar 29, 2025, 18:09:05 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Desmond Watson, a 464-pound defensive tackle, could become the heaviest NFL player ever. The 6-foot-6, pro prospect from Seffner's Armwood High School will go up for the 2025 Draft on Day 3. He was recently seen benching 225 pounds for a stunning 36 times during Florida's pro day - a bench-press record at this year's scouting combine.

Desmond Watson could become the heaviest NFL player ever (Instagram/Desmond Watson)

The lineman also finished the 40-yard dash in 5.93 seconds and recorded 25 inches on his vertical jump. Watson's coach calls him a ‘big, disruptive guy’. However, Florida defensive tackle Cam Jackson acknowledged that the NFL hopeful is ‘working to get his weight down’.

“I feel like a team is going to take a shot on him. If I was them, I would. You don´t find too many nose tackles moving like him. Dez is a big, disruptive guy, and he puts in the work," Jackson said.

If Watson is picked, at 464 pounds, he will become the heaviest NFL player ever. The record is currently held by Aaron Gibson, who played between 1999 and 2004.

Top 10 heaviest NFL players ever

1. Aaron Gibson

Team: Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears

Year: 1999–2004

Weight: 410 lbs

2. Terrell Brown

Team: St. Louis Rams

Year: 2013 (Preseason)

Weight: 403 lbs

3. Nate Newton

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Year: 1986–1999

Weight: 401 lbs at peak

4. Bryant McKinnie

Team: Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins

Year: 2002–2013

Weight: 386 lbs

5. William Perry

Team: Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles

Year: 1985–1994

Weight: 382 lbs

6. Trent Brown

Team: San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders

Year: 2015–present

Weight: 380 lbs

7. Mekhi Becton

Team: New York Jets

Year: 2020–present

Weight: 370 lbs

8. Michael Jasper

Team: Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers

Year: 2011–2014

Weight: 375 lbs

9. T.J. Barnes

Team: New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs

Year: 2013–2017

Weight: 364 lbs

10. Jordan Mailata

This current player weighs in at approximately 365 lbs.

Desmond Watson

Team: Likely 2025 NFL Draft pick (Armwood High School, Florida Gators)

Year: 2025 (Expected Draft Year)

Weight: 464 lbs

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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