"Dryptosaurus" is estimated to have been long and to have weighed , although this is based on partial remains of one individual. Like its relative "Eotyrannus", "Dryptosaurus" seems to have had relatively long arms when compared with more derived tyrannosaurs such as "Tyrannosaurus". Its hands, which are also relatively large were believed to have had three fingers. Brusatte et al. (2011), however, observed an overall similarity in the shape of the available phalanges of "Dryptosaurus" with those of derived tyrannosaurids and noted that "Dryptosaurus" may have had only two functional digits. Each of its fingers were tipped by an eight-inch, talon-like claw. Its forelimb morphology suggests that forelimb reduction in tyrannosauroids may not have proceeded in a uniform fashion. "Dryptosaurus" may have used both its arms and its jaws and as weapons when hunting, capturing and processing prey.