Linebacker Brian Burns takes the grip strength test. / Instagram
How strong is the grip of an NFL d-lineman or linebacker? We got a sense of this at the 2024 Sack Summit, an annual gathering of NFL pass rushers. As the defensive football players were in Las Vegas to focus on better tracking down and tackling quarterbacks, they were encouraged impromptu to tightly squeeze a hand dynamometer (grip testing device). Let’s check the results.
GRIP STRENGTH AVERAGE
First, a little perspective. The average grip strength for men aged 20-29 (the strongest age group) is 101 pounds (46 kg.). For women in their 20s, it’s 64 pounds (29 kg.). All the NFL players were above this male average. Some were far above. And one was over twice the average male-in-his-20s grip strength.
NFL PLAYER GRIP STRENGTH
We’d love to see how other positions measure up, such as offensive skill players who need to hold onto the football while defenders try to rip it away. But for now, here’s the results of the 21 defensive players (defensive ends, defensive tackles, and outside linebackers) at the Sack Summit who squeezed the dynamometer, listed from worst to best. All results are in pounds of force.
DAVID UGWOEGBU (Bills): 112
BRANSON DEEN (Bills): 120
NIKO LALOS (Saints): 120
DEWAYNE CARTER (Bills): 138
KOBIE TURNER (Rams): 144
LAIATU LATU (Colts): 149
CAM JORDAN (Saints): 152
VON MILLER (Bills): 152
JOSH ALLEN (Jaguars): 158
MCTELVIN AGIM (Texans): 167
BRIAN BURNS (Giants): 167
MATTHEW JUDON (Patriots): 167
ZACH MORTON (Lions): 168
TIM SETTLE (Texans): 172
TYREE WILSON (Raiders): 173
KINGSLEY JONATHAN (Bills): 175
JARVON SOLOMON (Bills): 185
DAQUAN JONES (Bills): 186
JANARIUS ROBINSON (Raiders): 188
MARCUS DAVENPORT (Lions): 196
A.J. EPENESA (Bills): 203
