The hand size of quarterbacks is a point of focus at the annual NFL Scouting Combine, and this year is no different.
Former Pittsburgh Panther Kenny Pickett has been the subject of much talk, as his right hand set a record of sorts. It was measured at 8 1/2 inches, making the potential first-round draft pick’s hand the smallest among all quarterbacks currently active in the league.
Taysom Hill of the New Orleans Saints currently holds this record at 8 3/4 inches. After Hill, there’s a three-way tie among Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow, Ryan Tannehill of the Tennessee Titans, and the Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff, who all measure nine inches.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, the median hand size of quarterbacks measured from 2008-2020 is 9 7/10 inches.
Despite the hand seeming like a trivial matter when it comes to weighing an NFL prospect’s chances of being drafted, fans and analysts are wondering if it will be a factor for teams who may be considering signing Pickett on.
The Heisman Trophy candidate does not seem particularly concerned about his numbers. “Whatever it measures, it measures,” said Pickett. “I’m sure that won’t be the end of it, but that’ll be the last measurement I’m sure I’ll take of it.”
Pickett’s hands were not measured at the Senior Bowl because he wanted to do a few more weeks of stretching exercises to get a more precise measurement at the Combine. He is double-jointed, with the thumb pointing at an unusual angle, which could potentially affect the measurement.
Pitt QB Kenny Pickett didn’t have his hands measured here in Mobile, but he has a good reason: He’s double jointed, so his thumb naturally points an odd direction, and he’s doing extra exercises to get an accurate measurement at the combine in March. pic.twitter.com/KLMdraG9AC
Burrow’s performance last season shows that hand size is not a huge factor in determining how well a quarterback can deliver. Joe Cool knew enough early on to shrug off concerns about his ability to control the ball.
Considering retirement after I was informed the football will be slipping out of my tiny hands. Please keep me in your thoughts.
Statistics also show that fumble rate and performance in adverse weather conditions are not determined by whether the quarterback’s hands are big or small.
Which QB Has the Smallest Hands Ever? For a while, New Orleans Saints QB/TE/RB/WR Taysom Hill was the record holder for the smallest hand size at 8 3/4″, but this was never truly an issue since Hill has operated as an offensive weapon rather than a primary QB.
The distinction for shortest quarterback in NFL history looks to be a tie between Eddie LeBaron (who played in the 1950s) and Davey O'Brien (who played in the late 1930s), with both standing just 5 feet and 7 inches tall.
Taysom Hill of the New Orleans Saints currently holds this record at 8 3/4 inches. After Hill, there's a three-way tie among Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow, Ryan Tannehill of the Tennessee Titans, and the Detroit Lions' Jared Goff, who all measure nine inches.
Shaquem Griffin is known to many fans as the man who made it to the NFL with just one hand. Jason Jones of The Athletic writes about how since retiring from the NFL Shaquem Griffin has been able to transition into somewhat of a regular busy life.
A hand size of less than 9 inches is generally considered to be a red flag. The last QB to achieve significant success with hands smaller than 9 inches was Michael Vick, who — like Pickett — measured 8.5 inches.
There is however an ideal measurement from which it is understood that a hand can be considered is large enough, 9 inches or 22.86 cm. Anything below that is considered a small hand.
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