Jared Goff's hand size much debated at combine
Quarterback prospects were weighed and measured at the combine Thursday, providing draftniks with the chance to scrutinize and debate the importance of hand size.
It seems like every year the question of how big a quarterback's hands must be for him to succeed in the NFL arises. This year, Cal's Jared Goff is at the center of the controversy.
Goff measured in at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds with 9-inch hands - right at the threshold of what most scouts consider to be large enough.
The conventional thinking is that smaller hands can lead to more fumbles, though it's worth noting that there are several prominent counterexamples.
Goff doesn't even have the smallest hands in his class - Christian Hackenberg also has 9-inch hands. Meanwhile, Carson Wentz's hands measured in at a relatively enormous 10 inches.
Like most football things, everyone has an opinion on what it all means:
9-inch hands for Goff. Not ideal but not a deal-breaker. Others similar: Carr (9 1/8"), Tannehill (9"), Kap (9 1/8") https://t.co/ER5tT628Tp
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 25, 2016
Wearing gloves, not wearing gloves & that didn't matter. Now its hand size. Whats next Chin size? Just look at the dam tape #NFLCombine #NFL
— Drew Boylhart (@DrewBoylhart) February 25, 2016
Paxton Lynch has huge hands and fumbled 7 times to Goff's 4 last season. Fumbles aren't the only concern with hand size though
— Justin Higdon (@afc2nfc) February 25, 2016
I know Twitter likes to make fun of the hand size thing for QBs, but a LOT of smart football people put stock in it. Pats did with Brady.
— Kevin Clark (@KevinClarkWSJ) February 25, 2016
Hue Jackson said QB hand size a big thing for Browns given division (weather) they play in. Makes the Goff call interesting. Wentz in play?
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) February 24, 2016