What does DE mean in football?

DE is a defensive end in football. The lineman on the edge of the defensive front, hunting the quarterback from the outside.

What a defensive end looks like

146 defensive ends are on NFL rosters right now, and the median one is 6' 4" and 265 lb.

On rosters
146
Median height
6' 4"
Median weight
265 lb
Median age
26

Sacks at the position, 2026

The median defensive end with a figure at all posted 1.0 sacks. These five led the position.

  1. 1Aidan HutchinsonDET3.0
  2. 2Lukas Van NessGB2.5
  3. 3Za'Darius SmithATL2.5
  4. 4Cedric JohnsonCIN2.0
  5. 5Kwity PayeLV2.0
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The rest of the NFL roster

  • QB quarterback
  • RB running back
  • FB fullback
  • WR wide receiver
  • TE tight end
  • OT offensive tackle
  • G guard
  • C center
  • DT defensive tackle
  • LB linebacker
  • CB cornerback
  • S safety
  • PK place kicker
  • P punter
  • LS long snapper
  • Every stat term