When you think about the NFL, you probably picture fast runners and skilled players making amazing catches.
But there’s another side that’s just as impressive – pure strength.
The strongest nfl players as of 2025 are not just athletes; they’re human powerhouses who can lift incredible amounts of weight and dominate their opponents through sheer force.
Who is strongest nfl player in 2025? That’s a question many football fans ask, and the answer might surprise you.
These players spend countless hours in the gym, pushing their bodies to the limit. They bench press weights that would crush most people and squat numbers that seem impossible.
From running backs who can break through any tackle to defensive linemen who can overpower entire offensive lines, these athletes represent the peak of human strength and conditioning.
Some can bench press over 500 pounds, while others can squat more than 600 pounds without breaking a sweat.
What makes these players special isn’t just their natural gifts – it’s their dedication to getting stronger every single day.
They work with personal trainers, nutritionists, and strength coaches to build bodies that can handle the intense physical demands of professional football.
Strongest NFL Players As of 2025
Whether they’re protecting their quarterback or trying to sack the opposing team’s signal-caller, strength plays a huge role in their success on the field.
Top 10 Strongest NFL Players As of 2025 – Complete Overview
Rank | Player | Position | Team | Weight | Bench Press |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Saquon Barkley | Running Back | Philadelphia Eagles | 234 lbs | 29 reps of 225 lbs |
2 | Jalen Hurts | Quarterback | Philadelphia Eagles | 223 lbs | 275 lbs max |
3 | DK Metcalf | Wide Receiver | Seattle Seahawks | 235 lbs | 27 reps of 225 lbs |
4 | Myles Garrett | Defensive End | Cleveland Browns | 271 lbs | 2 reps of 585 lbs |
5 | Beaux Limmer | Center | Los Angeles Rams | 302 lbs | 39 reps of 225 lbs |
6 | Jordan Jefferson | Defensive Tackle | Jacksonville Jaguars | 316 lbs | 34 reps of 225 lbs |
7 | Mazi Smith | Defensive Tackle | Dallas Cowboys | 323 lbs | 34 reps of 225 lbs |
8 | Keion White | Defensive End | New England Patriots | 285 lbs | 30 reps of 225 lbs |
9 | Zion Johnson | Offensive Guard | Los Angeles Chargers | 316 lbs | 32 reps of 225 lbs |
10 | Derrick Henry | Running Back | Baltimore Ravens | 247 lbs | 440 lbs max |
Saquon Barkley – The Explosive Powerhouse
Saquon Barkley stands at the top of our list, and for good reason. This Philadelphia Eagles running back is a perfect example of how strength and speed can work together. At 6’0″ and 234 pounds, he might not be the biggest player on the field, but his power is undeniable.
Here’s what makes Barkley so special:
- Incredible leg strength – He recently squatted 585 pounds, showing off his massive quad muscles
- Impressive bench press – 29 reps of 225 pounds proves his upper body power
- Game-changing ability – His strength helps him break tackles and create big plays
- Consistent performance – He’s been showing this strength since his Penn State days
Barkley’s strength isn’t just for show. When he hits the field, defenders know they’re in for a tough time. His ability to power through tackles and break free from multiple defenders makes him one of the most feared running backs in the league.
Jalen Hurts – The Strong-Armed Leader
Jalen Hurts proves that quarterbacks can be just as strong as any other position. The Eagles quarterback has built an impressive physique that helps him in many ways on the field. His strength training background goes way back to his high school days when he was actually a powerlifter.
Key strength facts about Hurts:
- Can bench press 275 pounds – That’s serious weight for any athlete
- Squats 600 pounds easily – His leg strength is off the charts
- Powerlifting background – He’s been training hard since grade school
- Durability factor – His strength helps him absorb hits and stay healthy
The famous “brotherly shove” play that the Eagles use shows Hurts’ strength in action. When they need just one yard, they trust his power to push the pile forward and get the first down.
DK Metcalf – The Physical Freak
When people talk about DK Metcalf, they often use words like “unreal” and “superhuman.” This Seattle Seahawks wide receiver has a body that looks more like a linebacker than a typical pass-catcher. At 6’4″ and 235 pounds, he’s one of the most physically impressive players in the entire league.
What makes Metcalf so unique:
- Amazing combine performance – 27 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press
- Incredible speed – Ran 10.37 seconds in the 100-yard dash at Olympic Trials
- Dominates smaller defenders – Uses his size and strength to overpower defensive backs
- Consistent production – Leads his team in receiving yards year after year
Metcalf’s strength shows up in every game. He regularly pushes defensive backs around, and his ability to break tackles after catching the ball makes him incredibly dangerous.
Myles Garrett – The Defensive Monster
Myles Garrett might be the most complete athlete on this entire list. The Cleveland Browns defensive end combines incredible strength with amazing speed and agility. When NFL teams tried to create the perfect pass rusher, they probably had someone like Garrett in mind.
Garrett’s impressive numbers:
- Can bench press 585 pounds twice – That’s more than most people can even lift once
- Lightning fast – Ran a 4.64 second 40-yard dash at 271 pounds
- Amazing vertical jump – Recorded 41 inches at the NFL Combine
- Consistent excellence – Has 80 sacks since entering the league
Garrett has won Defensive Player of the Year and made the All-Pro team five times. His combination of size, strength, and athleticism makes him nearly impossible to block one-on-one.
Beaux Limmer – The Rising Star
Beaux Limmer might be the strongest player from the 2024 draft class. This Los Angeles Rams center has already worked his way into the starting lineup, which is impressive for any rookie. His performance at the NFL Combine turned a lot of heads.
Why Limmer stands out:
- Record-breaking combine performance – 39 reps of 225 pounds led all players
- Versatile player – Can play both center and guard positions
- SEC experience – Played against top competition at Arkansas
- Immediate impact – Already starting as a rookie
For a center, strength is absolutely essential. Limmer has to deal with some of the strongest defensive players in the league every single play.
Jordan Jefferson – The Defensive Wall
Jordan Jefferson represents the new generation of defensive tackles. This Jacksonville Jaguars player came in second at the 2024 Combine with his bench press performance, and he’s been making an impact on the field as well.
Jefferson’s key strengths:
- Impressive combine showing – 34 reps of 225 pounds
- Late-season surge – Got stronger as his rookie year went on
- First career sack – Made a big impact against the Eagles
- Perfect build – 6’2″ and 316 pounds is ideal for his position
As a defensive tackle, Jefferson has to fight through double teams and create pressure on the quarterback. His strength helps him do exactly that.
Mazi Smith – The Dallas Powerhouse
Playing for the Dallas Cowboys comes with extra pressure, but Mazi Smith has handled it well. This defensive tackle led all players at the 2023 NFL Combine in bench press reps, showing everyone just how strong he really is.
Smith’s impressive qualities:
- Combine leader – Posted 34 reps of 225 pounds in 2023
- Massive frame – At 323 pounds, he’s one of the heaviest players in the NFL
- College success – Made First-team All-Big Ten at Michigan
- Historic draft pick – First defensive tackle drafted by Cowboys in 30+ years
Smith’s size and strength make him incredibly difficult to move in the running game. Offensive linemen have a tough time dealing with his power.
Keion White – The Underrated Force
Keion White might be the most underrated player on this list. The New England Patriots defensive end has put up impressive strength numbers, but he doesn’t get as much attention as some other players.
What makes White special:
- Strong bench press – 30 reps of 225 pounds shows serious upper body strength
- Great combine performance – Also recorded a 34-inch vertical jump
- Game impact – Got 2.5 sacks against Joe Burrow in a crucial win
- Consistent improvement – Getting better each season
White’s strength helps him set the edge in the running game and rush the passer effectively. He’s becoming a key player for the Patriots defense.
Zion Johnson – The Protecting Force
Zion Johnson was drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Chargers, and his strength was a big reason why. This offensive guard has the job of protecting quarterback Justin Herbert, and his power helps him do it well.
Johnson’s standout features:
- First-round talent – Selected 17th overall in 2022
- Combine excellence – 32 reps of 225 pounds led all rookies in his class
- Award winner – Made the All-Rookie Team in 2023
- Key protection – Helps keep Justin Herbert upright and healthy
As an offensive guard, Johnson has to deal with some of the strongest pass rushers in the NFL. His bench press numbers show he’s up for the challenge.
Derrick Henry – The Ageless Wonder
Derrick Henry has been dominating NFL defenses for years, and he’s still going strong with the Baltimore Ravens. At 6’3″ and 247 pounds, he has the size of a linebacker but the speed of a running back.
Henry’s unique qualities:
- Incredible max bench – Can press 440 pounds
- Unusual size for position – Most running backs are much smaller
- Consistent production – Still putting up 100+ yard games regularly
- Terrifying potential – Says he has to limit his strength training
Henry is so strong that he’s actually said he has to be careful not to get too big. Can you imagine how scary he would be if he trained for pure strength instead of football?
Honorable Mentions – Legends of Strength
Several other players deserve recognition for their incredible strength, even though they’re no longer active players.
- Aaron Donald retired in 2024, but he was arguably the strongest player in the NFL during his career. Despite being smaller than most defensive tackles, he could bench press 500 pounds and dominated much bigger opponents.
- Larry Allen is considered by many to be the strongest NFL player of all time. His bench press of 705 pounds is absolutely insane, and he earned the official title of “Strongest Man in the NFL.”
- JJ Watt was another defensive end who combined strength with athleticism. His warm-up squat of 600 pounds was just the beginning of his workout routine.
- James Harrison wasn’t naturally gifted with strength, but he built it through incredible hard work. His dedication to the weight room helped him become one of the most feared linebackers ever.
Competing Against the Strongest Players in the NFL
Playing in the NFL means going up against the strongest athletes in the world every single week. For players trying to make it in the league, strength can be the difference between success and failure.
Here’s why strength matters so much:
- Roster competition – Teams have limited spots, and stronger players often win out
- Contract negotiations – Strength can lead to bigger paychecks
- Game performance – Strong players can overpower their opponents
- Injury prevention – Stronger muscles and bones can handle more punishment
The strongest players aren’t always the most skilled, but they’re definitely the ones you least want to line up against. Their power can change the outcome of any play.
What Does an NFL Workout Routine Look Like?
NFL players treat their bodies like expensive machines that need constant care and maintenance. Their workout routines are intense and carefully planned to build both strength and athleticism.
A typical NFL strength program includes:
- Heavy compound movements – Squats, deadlifts, and bench press form the foundation
- Explosive exercises – Olympic lifts help build power and speed
- Position-specific work – Each position has unique strength needs
- Recovery methods – Stretching, massage, and proper nutrition are crucial
Players often work out twice a day during the off-season, spending hours in the weight room followed by more hours working on football skills. They have personal chefs, trainers, and recovery specialists helping them reach peak performance.
The commitment required is incredible. These players understand that their bodies are their livelihood, and they invest heavily in making them as strong and durable as possible.
Strong Is an Understatement
The strongest NFL players represent the peak of human athletic achievement. They’ve combined natural talent with years of dedicated training to build bodies that can perform at the highest level of professional sports.
What separates these players from everyone else:
- Genetic gifts – They started with natural advantages
- Incredible work ethic – They’ve trained harder than most people can imagine
- Professional support – They have access to the best coaches and facilities
- Mental toughness – They push through pain and exhaustion that would stop others
These athletes have pushed their bodies to the absolute limit. Their strength numbers seem almost impossible, but they prove what humans can achieve with the right combination of talent, training, and determination.
Conclusion
The strongest NFL players as of 2025 represent the absolute peak of human strength and athleticism.
From Saquon Barkley’s explosive power to Myles Garrett’s incredible combination of size and speed, these athletes have built bodies that seem almost superhuman.
What makes their achievements even more impressive is that they haven’t sacrificed other important qualities to get so strong.
These players are still fast, agile, and skilled at their positions. They’ve found the perfect balance between strength and athleticism that makes them dominant on the football field.
Who is strongest nfl player in 2025? While it’s hard to pick just one, players like Barkley, Garrett, and Henry all have legitimate claims to the title.
Each brings a different type of strength to the field, whether it’s explosive power, maximum lifting ability, or functional game strength.
For fans watching at home, these players provide incredible entertainment and inspiration.
Their dedication to training and their impressive physical achievements show what’s possible when someone commits completely to their goals.
Whether you’re a football fan or just someone who appreciates athletic excellence, the strongest NFL players of 2025 are truly amazing to watch and learn about.
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