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How Many Players Are in the NFL? A Complete Roster Breakdown

Unlike a number of other team sports, NFL teams contain a huge number of players. Each player on the field fulfills specific tasks and responsibilities. So, how many players are on an NFL team?s

Ian Wanyeki
Ian Wanyeki

Last Updated: 2024-09-18

Louis Hobbs

5 minutes read

Players of both teams kneel and pray after the NFL American football match Indianapolis Colts

Image Credits: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

Typically, an NFL team’s active roster consists of 53 players. Teams undertake activities such as cutting, signing, and trading each week to ensure that their roster has a maximum of 53 players. The players are further split into three smaller units of offense, defense, and special teams. Each unit fulfills a specific function during an NFL game. 

In addition to the 53-roster unit, teams have an additional 16-member practice squad. On the field, there are 22 players, with 11 players on the offense and 11 on the defense. Each player on the offense and defense fulfills a specific role and task. There can be no more than 22 players on the field at once. 

Offensive and Defensive Positions in the NFL

Players of both teams kneel and pray after the NFL American football match Indianapolis Colts

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The role of the offense is to penetrate the opponent’s end zone, while maintaining possession of the ball, to score points. The 11 offense players can further be divided into two main groups of offensive linemen and backs. The five linemen focus on blocking opponents to protect the quarterback, whose task is to get the ball to one of the five backs. The primary role of the backs is to move the ball down the field by either passing or running it. 

The defensive positions are made up of 11 players whose objective is to prevent the opposing offense from winning possession of the ball and scoring. The defense overturns possession by denying the offense a chance to achieve a first down. The three categories of defensive players are the defensive line, linebackers, and defensive backs. They focus on forcing and recovering an offensive fumble. 

Offensive Positions

Position           Commonly Known As
QuarterbackQB
Running BackRB, T, Tailback, F
Full BackFB
Tight EndH, Y
Wide Receiver (1)WR, X, Wide Out
Wide Receiver (2)WR, Z, Flanker
Left Offensive TackleLT
Left Offensive GuardLG
CentreC
Right Offensive GuardRG
Right Offensive TackleRT
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Quarterback (QB)

The quarterback is one of the most important players of the fieldHe starts the play and is tasked with either handing the ball off, throwing it to another player, or running. The quarterback’s crucial role in offense is dictated by the calm and poise required to deliver the ball to the appropriate player. Therefore, this position requires a highly skilled player with a unique ability to process information fast and make haste but proper decisions. 

Running Back (RB)

Often, the offense features one of two running backs, depending on how they want to engage the attacking defense. The running back is positioned next to or behind the quarterback and the player’s role is to run the ball and receive the quarterback’s hand-off. This position is filled by the fastest and toughest players on the field, considering that when running the ball, they are most likely to get a tackle from the defense. 

Wide Receiver (WR)

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs after a catch

Image Credits: Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The wide receiver position is tied to the throwing of the ball in the field. Wide receivers are usually taller or smaller players with catching ability and speed. They are tasked with catching passes from the quarterback, without the fear of being hit by a defensive player.

Tight End (TE)

The tight end position is a hybrid between an offensive lineman and an offensive tackle. Tight ends need to be sufficiently big to block defensive linemen. They are also required to be athletic to catch the ball and move away from defensive linebackers. 

Offensive Line (OL)

Offensive line consists of five players occupying the left and right offensive tackle, right and left offensive guard, and center. Their role is to protect the quarterback. The offensive guards are positioned at the sides of the center, who is responsible for starting the play and protecting the quarterback. The offensive tackles are located outside of the guards.

For an offensive to be functional and effective, the guards and tackles need to be efficient. Besides protecting the quarterback, they create room for the running back by keeping the defensive tackles and defensive ends off the ball.

Defensive Positions

PositionCommonly Known As
Defensive EndDE
Defensive TackleDT, 3-tech
Nose GuardN, Nose tackle, Shade
Defensive EndDE
Mike LinebackerM, Middle
Sam LinebackerS, Jack, Strong Side, Nickel
Will LinebackerW, Weak Side
CornerbackCB
CornerbackCB
Strong SafetySS,
Free SafetyFS
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Defensive Tackles (DT)

Defensive tackles are responsible for intercepting the running back and getting after the quarterback. Therefore, they play against the guards or the center. They usually have a well-built stature to enable them close up gaps and force the offense to run the ball to the outside. Teams may run a four-defensive lineman consisting of two defensive ends, a defensive tackle, and a nose guard. 

Defensive Ends (DE)

Buffalo Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa (57) rushes the passer

Image Credits: Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Defensive ends, along with the defensive tackles, are part of the defensive line. They are positioned head up or outside of the offensive tackles and are tasked with attacking the quarterback from the outside of the offensive line. Defensive ends also play a critical role of forcing offenses to move the ball farther to the sideline. 

Linebackers (LB)

Linebackers, often referred to as the captain of the defense, lineup in the back of the defense line. They are well equipped to tackle and cover wide receivers. Their role is to play both the run and pass. Ideal linebackers are tough and are experts in hard-hitting. More so, they are excellent in leadership. They are categorized into Mike Linebacker, Sam Linebacker, and Will Linebacker. 

Cornerbacks (CB)

Cornerbacks is a category of the ‘defensive backs’. As the first defensive, the cornerback is positioned closest to the sideline. Cornerbacks are the fastest defense players are responsible for covering speedy wide receivers. Their responsibility is to engage in man-to-man coverage or to conduct zone coverage. The cornerback position is easy to learn but challenging to maintain. 

Strong Safety (SS)

Another defensive back position is safety, which is broken into strong safety and free safety. Strong safety is a mix between free safety and linebacker. Players in this position need to be agile to be an effective defensive back and should be tough and hard-hitting to play linebacker. 

Free Safety (FS)

The free safety player ensures that big plays fail to happen. This position operates as a safety valve of the defense. The free safety operates as a safety insurance by tackling the running back and plays a pivotal role of ensuring that the offense does not score a touchdown. 

Practice Squad in the NFL

Besides the 53-player active roster, each NFL team has a bonus of 16 players on the practice squad. This unit helps the team prepare for its next opponent. Players on the practice squad earn significantly less money that those on the active roster. However, by participating in the practice unit, they earn valuable experience by competing against the team’s top players. Practice squad players may also participate on the active roster during the season, when injuries occur. 

Ian Wanyeki
Ian WanyekiSports Writer

Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.