He is massive. Like, legitimately hard to comprehend until you see him standing next to a normal human being—or even a normal NFL player. If you've ever watched a Philadelphia Eagles game and wondered how one person can physically occupy that much space on a television screen, you're looking at the left tackle from Bankstown.
Jordan Mailata is 6 feet 8 inches tall. That’s his official listing. But the numbers alone don’t really do it justice. We’re talking about a guy who weighs in at 365 pounds. For those of us used to the metric system back in Australia, that’s roughly 166 kilograms of sheer muscle and momentum. He’s not just "tall for a football player." He is one of the largest human beings to ever play professional sports at an elite level.
How tall is Jordan Mailata compared to the average person?
Honestly, it’s a bit of a joke. The average American male stands about 5 feet 9 inches. Jordan has nearly a full foot on the average guy. When he was playing rugby league for the South Sydney Rabbitohs' U20s, he was basically a cheat code. He was so big that teams literally didn't know where to put him. Coaches in the NRL told him he was "too big" for rugby. Imagine being told you're too large for a sport known for its brutality.
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When he moved to the NFL via the International Player Pathway Program, scouts were obsessed with his "measurables." At his pro day, his height was clocked at 6' 7 3/4", which the Eagles (and everyone else) basically rounded up to 6' 8".
His wingspan? It’s enormous. His arms are over 35 inches long. This gives him a "reach" that makes it almost impossible for defensive ends to get around him. If he extends his arms, you have to run a marathon just to get to the quarterback.
The weight jump from Rugby to the NFL
When Jordan first showed up on the radar, he was a "trim" 310 pounds or so. But the NFL is a different beast. To survive in the trenches against guys like Micah Parsons or Nick Bosa, you need mass.
He didn't just get fat. Under the guidance of Jeff Stoutland—the legendary Eagles offensive line coach—Mailata transformed his body. He jumped from 147 kg to 166 kg. That's a huge gain, but he kept the footwork of a guy half his size.
You've probably seen the clips of him pulling on a run play. Seeing 365 pounds moving at that speed is terrifying. It’s like a refrigerator falling down a flight of stairs, but the refrigerator has a plan and knows how to use its hands.
Why his height actually mattered for his career
In rugby, being 6' 8" can actually be a disadvantage. Your center of gravity is too high. You get "tackled low" and your legs are exposed.
But in the NFL? Height is a weapon for a tackle.
- Leverage: He can use his long arms to keep defenders at bay.
- Vision: He can see over the chaos of the line of scrimmage.
- Weight Distribution: His frame is so large that he carries 365 pounds easily.
He doesn't look "overweight" in the traditional sense. He just looks like a giant.
Is he the biggest player in the NFL?
Close, but not quite the absolute tallest ever. However, he’s definitely in the top tier of the current era. For a long time, the Eagles' offensive line has been one of the heaviest and tallest in the league.
As of the 2025 season, the Eagles' starting line averaged about 6' 6" and nearly 340 pounds. Mailata is the anchor of that. He’s taller than teammates like Lane Johnson (6' 6") and Landon Dickerson (6' 6"). Even Mekhi Becton, who is a massive human in his own right at 6' 7", is slightly shorter than Jordan.
Basically, if you’re standing in the Eagles' huddle, you’re looking up at Jordan Mailata.
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More than just a giant
It’s easy to get obsessed with the 6' 8" frame, but what makes him a "Google Discover" regular is the personality. He’s a singer. A legitimately good one. He was "Thingamabob" on The Masked Singer and has released multiple Christmas albums with his teammates.
There is something inherently funny and charming about a man who can bench press a small car but has the voice of an angel. It’s that contrast—the massive 365-pound frame versus the melodic singing—that has made him a fan favorite in Philadelphia and a global star in Australia.
Actionable insights for fans and scouts
If you're following Mailata's career or just curious about how size translates to success, keep these points in mind:
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- Check the Official Roster: NFL weights fluctuate during the season. While he's listed at 365, he might play at 360 or 370 depending on the week.
- Watch the Feet: Don't just look at his height. Watch how he moves his feet in pass protection. That's the rugby influence.
- Appreciate the Path: He didn't play a single snap of American football until he was drafted in 2018. His success isn't just about being tall; it's about the steepest learning curve in sports history.
- Listen to the Music: If you haven't heard "A Philly Special Christmas," do yourself a favor. It proves that size doesn't limit talent.
Jordan Mailata isn't just a 6' 8" tackle. He's a $66 million cornerstone of a franchise and a living example of what happens when elite size meets an elite work ethic.