NFL Roster Breakdown: How Many Players Are in the NFL?

Active Players on a Team

Whether you root for the Dallas Cowboys, the Baltimore Ravens, the Jacksonville Jaguars, or the New England Patriots, you likely have your favorite players whose careers you follow and whose jerseys you wear. Still, did you know that there are actually nearly 1,700 players in the NFL each season, with just over 1,500 playing on active rosters?

The NFL differs a little from college football, where teams have up to 100 or even 125 players at a time. It’s actually closer to high school football in size. The average for NFL teams is between 65 to 70 players in total, with up to 53 players on the active roster. That said, only 47 players are allowed to suit up for a game. New rules allow for concessions for up to 48 players, as long as at least eight of those players are offensive linemen.

Active players count toward the roster requirements, and they are the ones who can head out on the field during the game. There are eleven players per team on the field at any given time, which means only some of the active players likely see gameplay. 

Inactive Players on a Team        

In addition to the active players that take the field, there are eight players that don’t suit up. These are referred to as the inactive players on the team. The inactive players on a football team are designed to maintain balance in the event of injury. 

Essentially, inactive players serve as a buffer that both teams can rely on, so there is an equal number of healthy and able players for each. There are some exceptions to these rules, but they are in place to help prevent injury and to keep every game as fair as possible.

To bring the number from a 53-man roster to around 65 to 70, NFL teams also have a practice squad, which typically includes 12 to 16 players. These players practice with the team but don’t play in games. There are ways for players to move between active, inactive, injured reserve, and practice, depending on the needs of the team. 

Nearly 400 of the players in the NFL are on practice squads, and players on practice squads are allowed to move between teams. If a team wants another team’s practice squad player, they must sign them to the active roster. 

Practice, Injury, Pre-Roster Players, and PUP

During the season, a team may have up to 65 or 70 players, which doesn’t include injured reserve or PUP players, players unable to perform. During the off-season, teams can have up to 90 players, which includes the pre-season roster players. 

Pre-season roster players appear in other sports too, and this position essentially allows players to showcase their skills before the season starts. The pre-season roster gives teams the opportunity to see players in action, so they can decide who they want for the coming season.   

What Roles Are Included in an NFL Team?

There are eleven positions on the field for a football team, but what exactly are the roles a player can hold? From kicker to punter to linebackers to cornerbacks, here’s a closer look at the different positions:

Offensive Lineman

The roles on a team can be essentially divided into offensive and defensive, with certain positions protecting the team’s quarterback and certain positions moving the ball up the field. There are five offensive lineman positions, including left and right tackle, left and right guard, and center.

With the exception of the play when the center snaps the ball, the offensive linemen typically aren’t allowed to touch the ball, with a few exceptions. Instead, their job is to protect the quarterback.

The center lineman begins the play by tossing the ball to the quarterback and is the only position to touch the ball during every single play. This player is also responsible for communicating between the players and making sure that the offensive linemen are in the best position for the needs of the play. 

Outside the center, there are two guards, and two tackles outside of them, all of whom help to block the encroaching team and protect the QB. 

Well-known examples of offensive linemen include the Cleveland Browns’ Joel Bitonio and the Miami Dolphins’ Richmond Webb.

Running Backs

Running backs do as exactly as the name implies: They run. There may be anywhere from zero to three running backs on the team for a play, and they make the most of their speed to help with rushing and passing plays. You may know the Detroit Lions’ Barry Sanders as a solid example of this position.

Fullback

Remember the Buffalo Bills’ Larry Centers? Then you know a bit about fullbacks. Fullbacks do a little of everything. While they are allowed to carry the ball, a lot of their position is defensive, and they spend most of the play blocking the running back. It’s not necessary to have a fullback on the field, however, and it’s not uncommon for the team to swap in another receiver position. 

Tight End

The players in the tight end position also take on a couple of different roles on the field. They block, run, and catch, and can also catch and run with the ball. This position is sort of the jack-of-all-trades spot. Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, and George Kittle have shown exactly how important a tight end can be to a team.

Wide Receivers

Wide receivers, by their name, are wide on the field, meaning they’re found at the edges of the formation. They’re best known for catching passes, but they can take on a couple of different roles, including blocking and running. These players are typically required to be fast, and often trick and deceive the other team’s players to complete a play with support from the quarterback. If you’re looking for an example, think about San Francisco 49ers’ A.J. Jenkins or Deon Cain, who did his time with the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Philadelphia Eagles.

Quarterback

Quarterback is perhaps the most well-known position in the game and for good reason. The decision a quarterback makes will determine the trajectory of the play, both figuratively and literally. While this player is capable of running or rushing, they’re best known for their passing ability and for knowing how to recover and pivot quickly when out on the field. 

QBs also need to know all the other players’ positions and be able to guide them in a split-second time, serving almost as a live, in-play coach during the game.  

We’re sure we don’t need to give you any examples of QBs. Whether it’s the New York Jets’ Aaron Rodgers or the KC Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, we’re sure you already have your favorites.

Plan Your Next NFL Game With TickPick

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Make TickPick your first stop for the latest on new games and new players, and for the tickets today, that will mean many more great memories to come tomorrow. The only question is: What teams will you be rooting for this season?