How Do They Measure Hand Size & Height At The NFL Combine?

The NFL Combine has become a must-see event with major marketing potential for the league. Still, the NFL Combine is about the athletes and teams gaining all information possible for the NFL Draft.

The hand size measurement at the NFL Combine is done by measuring from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the pinky finger with the hand outstretched. The measurement obtained is the player’s hand size.

Average Hand Size For NFL QB

Hand size is a major topic regarding the NFL Combine. There are some outliers like Kenny Pickett with small hands and this has been brought up over and over.

Most QBs fall into a threshold window. The average hand size for 39 QBs taken in the first round from 2008 to 2020 is 9.7 inches, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

If you consider only the starting QBs from the 2022 NFL season, the average hand size for starting QBs measured at the Combine was 9.53 inches. This is roughly one inch longer than what is considered the male average of 8.5 inches across.

Who Has The Biggest Hands In The NFL?

Outliers that tip the charts one way or another are the most discussed. For instance, Kenny Pickett has not been able to live down recording an 8.5-inch hand size, which is two inches shorter than Dak Prescott (10.875 inches).

However, even Dak pales in comparison to former 49ers QB Jim Druckenmiller. Druckenmiller recorded an 11.25-inch hand size at the NFL Combine. He threw for one career TD in the NFL and spent time with Memphis Maniax in the XFL. In this case, hand size did not matter match as it did not lead to a successful NFL career for Druckenmiller.

In recent years, QB Jake Dolegala had an 11.125-inch hand size measurement at the 2019 NFL Combine. This is more than two inches bigger than Joe Burrow’s recorded nine-inch hand size measurement.

Hand size is not a determining factor in the success of a QB. It helps for a better grip but in Burrow’s case, his hand size has not stopped him from being one of the best QBs in the league.

How Is Height Measured At The NFL Combine?

Height is measured using a four-digit system as is standard at the combine. The first number is feet, the next two numbers are inches, and the final number is eights of an inch.

Shorter QBs have a more challenging time seeing over the offensive line.

It is not a guarantee a taller QB will be successful. However, it does help as they can see the field better.