The other concern with small defensive ends is they can wear down as the season goes on. Ravens end Michael McCrary is listed at 260 pounds, but by the time he played in the Super Bowl last January, he weighed 239. The year before, Kearse played in the Super Bowl at 240, down 22 pounds from his combine weight. There are ways to minimize the weight loss, like lightening up in practice when players start to hit the wall, or altering the defensive scheme. As a rule, undersized ends need to be played on the edge, away from the tackles.
Weights fluctuate in both directions.
Little ends become big ends as surely as sprouts become plants. Kevin Carter went from 274 at the combine to 300-plus now. Andre Carter says his playing weight was 260 pounds, but he lost weight in the offseason to impress scouts with his workouts. So he may be a 260-pounder by his first practice. Weight gain isn't always a good thing, however.