Linebacker Height: Does It Matter? A Comprehensive Analysis

In the pursuit of finding whether a linebacker’s height plays a critical role in their NFL success, we found a height range that occurs at a higher rate in the top 10 versus the bottom 10 and found fifteen rookie Linebackers who fell within this optimal height range. We investigated this question for part 36 of our “Does It Matter?” series. Here are all of our findings.

Methodology

For our research, we analyzed the top 50 fantasy football finishers annually since 2003. We used PPR (points per reception) fantasy scores as our metric. The term we will refer to throughout this study as the “bottom 10” consists of players ranking 41st-50th each season.

Why the top 50? We chose the top 50 finishers to have a “happy medium” in our analysis. Going beyond the top 50 would include fringe roster players, who are unlikely to score in the top 10 and would simply skew the data. We are interested in comparing the best performers with the worst, rather than simply comparing the top 10 to those barely outside the top ranks, like the 11th place finisher. This is what satisfied our personal “itch” in finding a trend.

LB Height Averages Chart

We constructed an averages chart based on different finisher thresholds since 2003. We separated the thresholds into the following: Top 5, Top 10, 11th-30th, and 31st-50th place. While evaluating this chart, we observed only a subtle trend indicating that smaller heights may appear in the top 10 rankings more compared to the 31st-50th place finishers. To elaborate, in 13 out of 21 seasons (62%) the top 10 finishers had the same, or lower, average heights compared to those finishing 31st-50th. That chart can be seen below:

Segmented Top and Bottom 10

Taking our analysis further, we segmented the top and bottom 10 finishers since 2003 into 1/8” increments. From this segmentation, the following pattern emerged: the top 10 finishers chart showed a slight weight toward shorter heights more than the bottom 10. This was most pronounced around the 6’0-3/8” mark, where you can see the sharp increase of players in the top 10 chart. This suggests an increase in successful linebackers being smaller in terms of height. Those charts can be seen below, with the top 10 coming first:

Differences Chart

To identify a performance threshold or range where elite performances have occurred at a higher rate, we constructed our differences chart. The chart’s desired outcome is a negative number for unique differences (Orange) and a positive number for non-unique differences (Blue). This would indicate the desired consistent top level performances we are hoping for. By looking at each height, adding the next 1-inch increment, and subtracting the bottom 10 results from the top 10 results, we observed that linebackers around 6’2-3/8″ and below showed increased performances. This helped us narrow down our range to find a possible performance threshold.

Verifying the Optimal LB Height Range

To verify our height threshold findings, we backtested this range against historical data. We first focused on linebackers who finished in the bottom 10 since 2003, and then compared that to the top 10. After that, we utilized our spreadsheet to rapidly adjust ranges. Testing these various ranges revealed the following optimal range finding: The height range of 6’0” to 6’2” resulted in an 18.0% higher appearance rate in the top 10 when compared to those in the bottom 10. This height range will be the subject of this research going forward.

Establishing the Critical Height Threshold for Linebackers

We further dissected our data by breaking down the top 50 fantasy finishers into smaller categories: top 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50. This approach helped us identify critical maximum heights where crossing it would make a player an anomaly in future leaderboards.

Critical Heights:

• Top 10 Max: 6’2.125”
• Top 20 Max: 6’3”
• Top 30 Max: 6’3.25”
• Top 40 Max: 6’3.5”
• Top 50 Max: 6’4.875”

Due to this, we determined that a height of 6’3” will serve as a critical threshold for linebackers in our StarPredictor Score (SPS) model. This model will attempt to forecast potential successes and busts by integrating these insights into player evaluation. Essentially, Linebackers must measure in at 6’3″ or lower in order to not be considered a certain future bust by our model. We are hoping to have this model fully functional by the beginning of the 2027 NFL season. You can subscribe to our mailing list to get updates on this model when it begins coming out here:

LB Height Pearson Value

We next looked at standard statistical methods to measure how effective a Linebackers height can predict their success. Those findings are below:

• Pearson Value: -0.0283229

These findings indicate that there is no significant correlation between a linebacker’s height and their fantasy football production. We are hoping for a minimum of 0.1, or an inverse correlation maximum of -0.1 while studying world-class athletes as we are. For reference to something that everyone acknowledges matters in prospect scouting, and to show the accompanying Pearson value, RB draft capital prevailed a -0.234 Pearson value. Therefore, height will have little to no weight in our SPS model.

Decadal Differences

By applying our linebacker optimal height range across decades, we now aimed to see whether the top 10 to bottom 10 percentage increase is a recent trend or a dying one. The data revealed that this optimal height range is gaining more significance in the most recent decade, particularly for top 10 finishers.

Application to 2024 Rookie LB NFL Class

An applicable step in our findings is examining how the 2024 NFL Draft talents fit within our optimal height range. That breakdown can be seen below:

2024 NFL Rookies in our optimal range (6’0” to 6’2”):

2024 NFL Rookies out of our optimal range:

Conclusion

The evidence from our study revealed no correlation between linebacker height and NFL success, specifically in relation with fantasy scores. Despite the lack of standard statistical analysis correlation, there is a sharper concentration of shorter linebackers within top finishers, which prevails meaningful insights. Nevertheless, while height appears to influence rankings, it may not be predictive enough for us to rely on it for predicting fantasy football success.

More Data Next Week!

Our series has always sought to push the boundaries of sports analytics. This latest installment reaffirms our commitment to uncovering the hidden dynamics that define the game. Every Saturday, we’ll dive into intriguing questions, bust myths, and settle debates with thorough analysis. We welcome your input. Therefore, please leave comments or reach out with topics you’re eager to see dissected. Premium Analytics subscribers get priority. All of our research can be found on our Analytics Page. Up next on our agenda for Part 37 of “Does It Matter?” will be an examination of Linebacker Weight: Does it matter? If so, what’s the Weight threshold necessary for NFL success? Mark your calendars; every Saturday we shed light on the topics that matter to you.

Related Content:

Everybody Knows Stats Are Cool. But Which Stats Are The Coolest and Mean The Most?

Additionally, what are the target benchmarks athletes should aim to achieve in each statistic? That's what this chart answers. Type in your desired position in the "Position" field to see the key metrics players need for a higher chance of NFL success. Then, filter the success boost or Pearson value from highest to lowest to see which stats mean the most. Pearson values of 0.1 and higher OR -0.1 or lower indicates correlation. Unlock all metrics by signing up with the links provided. For only $0.49/month!

BrainyBallers Buy-Hold-Sell Chart (All Players)

Get Your Order 100% Refunded By Predicting The Next SuperBowl Winner!

Make Money on BrainyBallers’ (Or anyone’s) content if it turns out to be incorrect!

Jeremiah Trotter jr. Stats