Desmond Watson is on a unique and historically significant path as he attempts to secure a spot on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-6 and weighing 464 pounds, Watson makes his mark as the heaviest player in NFL history. Despite going undrafted, the massive defensive tackle from Florida has joined his hometown team and will commence his NFL career in Tampa Bay’s three-day rookie minicamp starting Friday. His presence is likely to garner significant attention, rivaling even the team’s first-round pick, former Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
The Buccaneers are hopeful that Watson will be able to shed some weight and move more swiftly on the field. This is something the Florida Gators grappled with for four years, with Florida coach Billy Napier referring to Watson as “a unicorn” and “just a big man.” While current NFL rosters do not feature any players over 400 pounds – with Baltimore Ravens guard Daniel Faalele being the heaviest at 380 pounds – the league has seen a few players throughout its history near or exceeding this weight.
In exploring some of the heaviest players from the NFL’s past, Aaron Gibson stands out at 410 pounds. Drafted in the first round by Detroit in 1999, Gibson started 15 games for the Lions but struggled with shoulder injuries and weight issues, bouncing around several teams before landing briefly in the Arena Football League. Likewise, Terrell Brown, weighing in at 403 pounds and standing 6-foot-10, signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted rookie in 2013 but failed to make the team.
Nate Newton, another player exceeding 400 pounds, found considerable success after signing with the Dallas Cowboys. Known for his size, he transformed into a Pro Bowler, helping the Cowboys to three Super Bowl wins throughout the 1990s. Despite returning to over 400 pounds post-retirement, he drastically reduced his weight via stomach surgery.
Michael Jasper, who tipped the scales at 394 pounds, was drafted by Buffalo in the seventh round in 2011 after playing at Bethel University. Though he dropped weight during training camp, he remained on Buffalo’s practice squad without playing a regular-season game and later turned to coaching at Stetson.
Bryant McKinnie, weighing 386 pounds, made significant contributions during his 12-year NFL career, especially known for his collegiate success at Miami. Drafted seventh overall by Minnesota in 2002, McKinnie managed his weight well across his career, earning a Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl victory with Baltimore.
Finally, William Perry, famous as “The Refrigerator” due to his 382-pound frame, became a cult hero in the 1980s. Drafted by Chicago, Perry delivered iconic performances, including a famous touchdown in the 1986 Super Bowl. His 138-game career featured impressive defensive stats, and his post-football activities only bolstered his legend.