The NFL combine is underway, and the first big story has broken: Joe Burrow has small hands. They measured at only 9 inches, which is as small as anyone who’s currently starting in the NFL. Should the Bengals be worried?
In general, the preference is for larger hands. Smaller hands, the theory goes, could lead to more problems with ball security. Derek Carr, for example, is a small-hands guy, and in each of the last two years he’s lost fumbles while trying to reach the ball over the pylon at the end zone (with the ball slipping out of the end zone for touchbacks).
But the evidence against quarterbacks with small hands is more anecdotal than scientific. I have cobbled together a mish-mash of hand size and fumbles, and I don’t see anything too meaningful. I see a much stronger correlation with experience.
If you look at quarterbacks who’ve done the best job of not fumbling over the last two years, I see Kyler Murray (who’s got smaller hands) and five guys with a lot of experience – Brees, Brady, Rodgers, Rivers and Luck. The six worst fumblers have been Carson Wentz (who’s got 10-inch hands) and five young quarterbacks – Josh Allen, Kyle Allen, Lamar Jackson, Daniel Jones and Gardner Minshew.
To me, it looks like experience, decision-making pocket awareness are a lot more important than physical hand size.
I don’t think Cincinnati should be scared away by Burrow’s 9-inch hands.
The other notable quarterback in the draft, Tua Tagovailoa, has larger hands. He’s got a 10-inch left hand – his throwing hand – and an eighth of an inch smaller for his right hand.
Two other current NFL starters have 9-inch hands, and they’ve both won multiple playoff games in the last two years – Jared Goff and Ryan Tannehill.
| HAND SIZES OF NFL QUARTERBACKS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | Size | Fumbles |
| Dak Prescott, Dall. | 10.88 | 1.36% |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick, T.B.-Mia. | 10.75 | 1.46% |
| Drew Brees, N.O. | 10.25 | .53% |
| Russell Wilson, Sea. | 10.25 | 1.52% |
| Aaron Rodgers, G.B. | 10.13 | .75% |
| Josh Allen, Buff. | 10.13 | 2.11% |
| Gardner Minshew, Jac. | 10.13 | 2.28% |
| Andrew Luck, Ind. | 10.00 | .85% |
| Matthew Stafford, Det. | 10.00 | 1.16% |
| Carson Wentz, Phil. | 10.00 | 2.13% |
| Tua Tagovailoa | 10.00 | ? |
| Cam Newton, Car. | 9.88 | 1.00% |
| Kirk Cousins, Min. | 9.88 | 1.59% |
| Jacoby Brissett, Ind. | 9.75 | 1.29% |
| Deshaun Watson, Hou. | 9.75 | 1.48% |
| Daniel Jones, NYG | 9.75 | 3.32% |
| Joe Flacco, Bal.-Den. | 9.63 | 1.54% |
| Kyler Murray, Ariz. | 9.50 | .73% |
| Andy Dalton, Cin. | 9.50 | .90% |
| Mitchell Trubisky, Chi. | 9.50 | .98% |
| Matt Ryan, Atl. | 9.50 | 1.38% |
| Lamar Jackson, Balt. | 9.50 | 2.25% |
| Tom Brady, N.E. | 9.38 | .63% |
| Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt. | 9.38 | .96% |
| Jameis Winston, T.B. | 9.38 | 1.60% |
| Kyle Allen, Car. | 9.38 | 2.16% |
| Philip Rivers, LAC | 9.25 | .84% |
| Patrick Mahomes, K.C. | 9.25 | .99% |
| Baker Mayfield, Cle. | 9.25 | 1.13% |
| Sam Darnold, NYJ | 9.25 | 1.61% |
| Jimmy Garoppolo, S.F. | 9.25 | 2.10% |
| Eli Manning, NYG | 9.13 | 1.10% |
| Derek Carr, Oak. | 9.13 | 1.59% |
| Case Keenum, Den.-Was. | 9.13 | 1.85% |
| Ryan Tannehill, Mia.-Ten. | 9.00 | 1.57% |
| Jared Goff, LAR | 9.00 | 1.67% |
| Joe Burrow | 9.00 | ? |
—Ian Allan