From Drew Brees to Dak Prescott, some NFL quarterbacks have hands so large they almost defy belief, and scouts can’t stop measuring them
Benefits of Large Hands for a Quarterback
Quarterbacks like Brett Favre and Drew Brees have shown that hand size might be more important than height for a quarterback in the NFL. Favre was able to play well even in unfavorable weather conditions, and his enormous hands contributed to this.
Bigger hands mean you can have a better grip on the ball and have more control when throwing it. Passers need to be able to control the football at all times. They need to hold onto it in a crowded pocket, during a pump fake, control it on play-action, and direct it with ease as they throw. Big hands allow for all of those things.
How Is Hand Size Measured in the NFL?
Hand size measurement at the NFL Combine is done by measuring the tip of the thumb to the tip of the pinky finger with the hand outstretched. The number obtained is the player’s handspan or spread.
It’s extremely rare for even an NFL player to have a handspan of 11 inches or wider. The largest hand measurement in Combine history is 11.75 inches, and the record is shared by DeForest Buckner, Gosder Cherilus, and Mo Alie-Cox. The average male’s handspan is around 8.5 inches.
Unfortunately, the NFL doesn’t measure hand length, which is another way to measure hand size. It is measured from the base of the palm to the tip of the middle finger. The NBA measures both the hand length and span of players at their Combine.
For instance, LeBron James had his hands measured at 9 inches in length. The average hand length for a male is around 7.4 inches. It’s very common for people to confuse handspan with hand length and vice versa. An individual’s span is almost always greater than their length.
How Coaches Value Hand Size
Most NFL teams today prefer their quarterbacks to have a handspan of at least 9.5 inches, and they are very hesitant to pick a quarterback with a handspan that measures less than that.
Browns coach Hue Jackson is especially particular about the hand size of his quarterbacks, and he has said that he prefers those with handspans of 10 inches or wider.
Former Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly even proposed that quarterbacks didn’t thrive because they were tall, but rather because they had big hands.
There might be an element of truth to Kelly’s reasoning as quarterbacks typically throw through passing lanes, not over the top of their linemen, regardless of their height. This article takes a look at some NFL quarterbacks with the most impressive hand sizes.
66. C. J. Stroud (10.00 in)
Few NFL players have ever had a better rookie season than the one Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud put together in 2023. Stroud was one of the few QBs to have his hands measured at 10 inches or larger at the 2023 NFL Combine. His huge hands give him an advantage in terms of ball security and grip strength.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’3”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 9%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
65. Desmond Ridder (10.00 in)
Desmond Ridder boasts a 10-inch hand spread at 6-foot-3. His hand span was the widest of any quarterback at the 2022 NFL Combine. Compare this to his draft-mate, Kenny Pickett, who is just as tall. Pickett’s hands measure 8.5 inches, the smallest of any current NFL quarterback.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’3”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 9%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
64. Trevor Lawrence (10.00 in)
Trevor Lawrence enjoys a significant hand size advantage over most of his peers. NY Giants quarterback Daniel Jones stands at roughly the same height as Trevor, yet Jones’ handspan is 3% narrower.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’6”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 6%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0”
63. Justin Herbert (10.00 in)
Justin Herbert’s hands are enormous and can dwarf normal-sized hands. Colts QB Jacob Eason has a span that is half an inch less than Herbert’s despite being just as tall.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’6”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 6%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0”
62. Josh Freeman (10.00 in)
Josh Freeman was a first-round pick in the 2009 Draft. He spent most of his career playing for Tampa Bay where he holds a few franchise records.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’6”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 6%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0”
61. Tony Pike (10.00 in)
Tony Pike was selected in the sixth round of the 2010 Draft by the Carolina Panthers. Injuries ultimately ended his career after one season. He eventually went into sports broadcasting.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’6”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 6%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0”
60. Feleipe Franks (10.00 in)
Feleipe Franks joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 as an undrafted free agent. He had played for the University of Florida and University of Arkansas.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’6”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 6%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0”
59. Tua Tagovailoa (10.00 in)
Tua Tagovailoa is a true anomaly boasting one of the biggest hands in the game despite standing at just 6’0”. Interestingly, his left hand is slightly bigger than his right. Tagovailoa recorded the same hand size as his 2020 draft classmate, Justin Herbert, despite standing half a foot shorter than Herbert. Joe Burrow’s hands are significantly smaller than Tagovailoa’s despite Burrow standing at almost 6’4”.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’0″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 17%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’0″
58. Kerry Collins (10.00 in)
Kerry Collins had two Pro Bowl selections in his 17-year career. He competed in the playoffs four times across three teams; the Carolina Panthers, twice with the New York Giants, and the Tennessee Titans.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 8%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
57. Jordan Palmer (10.00 in)
Jordan Palmer was drafted in the sixth round in the 2007 Draft. He spent three seasons as a backup to his older brother Carson Palmer on the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 8%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
56. Andrew Luck (10.00 in)
Andrew Luck’s hand size is way above the average for his height. Fellow quarterbacks Jared Goff and Ryan Tannehill, both of whom stand at the same height as Luck, have handspans of only 9 inches. Interestingly, Luck has significantly bigger hands than Matt Ryan, Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, and Jameis Winston, all of whom are just as tall as him.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 8%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
55. Tyrod Taylor (10.00 in)
Tyrod Taylor was the backup quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens when they won the Super Bowl in the 2012 season. He holds a few franchise records for the Buffalo Bills.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’1”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 11%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
54. Blaine Gabbert (10.00 in)
Blaine Gabbert was the backup quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (behind Tom Brady) when the team won the Super Bowl in the 2020 season. He was initially drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round in the 2011 Draft.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 8%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
53. Kyle Orton (10.00 in)
Kyle Orton was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2005 Draft. He set rookie records for Bears quarterbacks with 15 starts and 10 wins.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 8%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
52. Matthew Stafford (10.00 in)
Matthew Stafford is one of the best Detroit Lions quarterbacks of all time. Someone of his height would be expected to have a handspan of 9.20 inches, but Stafford’s reach hits 10.00 inches. Jay Cutler and Derek Carr are the same height as Stafford, but their handspans are 9.38 inches and 9.13 inches respectively.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’3”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 9%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
51. Donovan McNabb (10.00 in)
Donovan McNabb led the Philadelphia Eagles to eight playoff appearances. He holds numerous quarterback records, such as being the first to throw more than 30 touchdowns with less than 10 interceptions.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’2”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 10%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
50. Scott Tolzien (10.00 in)
Scott Tolzien went undrafted in the 2011 Draft. He joined the practice squad for the San Diego Chargers during that season. In the 2012 season, he was the third-string quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’2”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 10%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
49. Patrick Ramsey (10.00 in)
Patrick Ramsey was selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2002 Draft. He would play for nine teams by the time his career ended in 2010.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’2”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 10%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
48. Carson Wentz (10.00 in)
With a handspan measuring 10.00 inches, Carson Wentz has some pretty enormous hands. His hands are significantly bigger than Nate Sudfeld’s and Tyler Bray’s, both of whom stand at 6’6”.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’5”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 8%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0”
47. Ryan Lindley (10.00 in)
Ryan Lindley was selected in the sixth round of the 2012 Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He would also have a short stint in the Canadian Football League.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’3”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 9%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
46. Spergen Wynn (10.00 in)
Spergen Wynn started his career with the Cleveland Browns in 2000. He would be sent to NFL Europe to develop his skills. In 2003, he would start playing in the CFL.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’3”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 9%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
45. Bryce Petty (10.00 in)
Playing out of Baylor University, Bryce Petty was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2015 Draft. He wouldn’t play until 2016; he stayed with the team until 2018.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’3”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 9%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
44. Browning Nagle (10.00 in)
Browning Nagle was selected by the New York Jets in the 1991 Draft. He would play in the Arena Football League in 1999 and 2000.
- Handspan: 10.00″
- Height: 6’3”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 9%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
43. Matt Barkley (10.08 in)
Matt Barkley was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2013 Draft. He has made a total of seven starts in his career.
- Handspan: 10.08″
- Height: 6’2”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 9%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’0″
42. Peyton Manning (10.13 in)
This man needs no introduction; he is one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. At 6’5”, Peyton is pretty tall for a quarterback, but his enormous hands are what really stand out. Given his height, one would expect his handspan to be around 9.3 inches. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger stands at the same height as Manning, but his hands are quite a bit smaller.
- Handspan: 10.13″
- Height: 6’5”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 9%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’1”
41. Gardner Minshew (10.13 in)
Gardner Minshew is best known for his iconic mustache, sense of humor, and antics off the field. Another amazing attribute is that his hand size is way above the average for his height. Minshew’s handspan is 9.5% wider than Patrick Mahomes’s, despite being significantly shorter. Deshaun Watson is an inch taller than Minshew, but his handspan is only 9.75 inches.
- Handspan: 10.13″
- Height: 6’1″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 13%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’1”
40. Tim Tebow (10.13 in)
Tim Tebow is one of the greatest quarterbacks in college football history. Given his height, one would expect his handspan to be around 9.2 inches — so 10.13 inches is rather remarkable. Trevor Siemian and Kirk Cousins, both of whom are the same height as Tebow, have smaller hands.
- Handspan: 10.13″
- Height: 6’3”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 10%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’1”
39. Kyle Trask (10.13 in)
Kyle Trask’s span is significantly above the average for his height. Former New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe’s handspan is half an inch less than Trask’s despite being just as tall.
- Handspan: 10.13”
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 9%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’1”
38. Josh Allen (10.13 in)
Josh Allen was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2018 Draft. He holds the NFL record for the highest passer rating in the postseason.
- Handspan: 10.13”
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 9%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’1”
37. Matt Leinart (10.13 in)
Matt Leinart won the Heisman Trophy in 2004 when he played at USC. He was selected in the first round of the 2006 Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
- Handspan: 10.13”
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 9%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’1”
36. Brad Johnson (10.13 in)
Brad Johnson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1992 Draft. In 1997, he became the first player to complete a touchdown pass to himself.
- Handspan: 10.13”
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 9%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’1”
35. Ryan Nassib (10.18 in)
Ryan Nassib was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2013 Draft. He would play in five games across two seasons.
- Handspan: 10.18”
- Height: 6’2″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 11%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’1”
34. Chad Pennington (10.25 in)
Pennington is the only player to win the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award twice. He stands at the average height of a starting quarterback in the NFL yet possesses hands bigger than most centers in the NBA. Only a few quarterbacks shorter than 6’4” have a similar hand size.
- Handspan: 10.25″
- Height: 6’3”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 11%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’3″
33. Taylor Yates (10.25 in)
Taylor Yates was selected in the fifth round of the 2011 Draft by the Houston Texans. He would have three separate stints with the team by the time his playing career ended in 2017.
- Handspan: 10.25″
- Height: 6’4”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 12%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’3″
32. Sage Rosenfels (10.25 in)
Sage Rosenfels was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2001 Draft. Across the eight seasons he played in, Rosenfels had a total of 30 passing touchdowns.
- Handspan: 10.25″
- Height: 6’4”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 12%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’3″
31. Wally Richardson (10.25 in)
Wally Richardson has the distinction of having only one passing yard across three seasons in the NFL. In 2001, he would play for the XFL.
- Handspan: 10.25″
- Height: 6’4”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 12%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’3″
30. Drew Brees (10.25 in)
Drew Brees has uncommonly large hands for someone who stands at a mere 6’0″. For comparison, Michael Vick is the same height as Brees, but Vick’s handspan is only 8.5 inches. Brees’s handspan is wider than Brock Osweiler’s and the same as Daniel McGwire’s, both of whom are 6’8″.
- Handspan: 10.25″
- Height: 6’0″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 18%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’3″
29. Brady Quinn (10.25 in)
Brady Quinn was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2007 Draft. He would have a total of 12 passing touchdowns across 4 seasons.
- Handspan: 10.25″
- Height: 6’3”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 13%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’3″
28. Kevin Hogan (10.25 in)
Kevin Hogan was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2016 Draft. He would play for the Chiefs for two seasons before bouncing between the practice squads of multiple teams.
- Handspan: 10.25″
- Height: 6’3”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 13%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’3″
27. Christian Ponder (10.25 in)
Christian Ponder was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2011 Draft. He holds the Vikings record for most passing yards in a game by a rookie.
- Handspan: 10.25″
- Height: 6’2”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 14%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’3″
26. Tee Martin (10.25 in)
Tee Martin was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2000 Draft. He would have stints in NFL Europe and the CFL.
- Handspan: 10.25″
- Height: 6’2”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 14%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’3″
25. Dan McGwire (10.25 in)
Dan McGwire was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 1991 Draft. He is considered to be one of the bigger draft busts since he was drafted ahead of Brett Favre.
- Handspan: 10.25″
- Height: 6’8”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 6%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’3″
24. Stan Humphries (10.25 in)
Stan Humphries was selected by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the 1988 Draft. He was the backup quarterback for the team when they won the Super Bowl in the 1991 season.
- Handspan: 10.25″
- Height: 6’2”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 14%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’3″
23. Paxton Lynch (10.25 in)
Paxton Lynch was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2016 Draft. He would later have stints in the CFL and USFL.
- Handspan: 10.25″
- Height: 6’7”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 8%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’3″
22. Russell Wilson (10.25 in)
Russel Wilson is one of the shortest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, but he compensates for this with his huge hands. At just 5’11″, he has one of the biggest pairs of hands in the NFL. Interestingly, he has a wider handspan than Eli Manning and Peyton Manning, who are 6’4″ and 6’5″ respectively.
- Handspan: 10.25″
- Height: 5’11”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 19%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’3″
21. Brett Favre (10.38 in)
Brett Favre has a wider handspan than quarterbacks Brad Johnson, Trent Green, Aaron Brooks, Marc Bulger, and Steve Beuerlein, all of whom stand taller than him.
- Handspan: 10.38″
- Height: 6’2″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 14%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’4″
20. EJ Manuel (10.38 in)
EJ Manuel was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2013 Draft. He would set a few Bills franchise records before retiring in 2019.
- Handspan: 10.38″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 12%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’4″
19. Austin Davis (10.38 in)
Austin Davis joined the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He would sign with six teams before ending his playing career in 2019.
- Handspan: 10.38″
- Height: 6’2″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 14%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’4″
18. Jake Luton (10.38 in)
Jake Luton was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2020 Draft. He played in three games before bouncing around various practice squads.
- Handspan: 10.38″
- Height: 6’6″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 10%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’4″
17. Anthony Richardson (10.50 in)
Anthony Richardson is arguably the most athletic quarterback in the NFL. He is one of 14 players at the NFL Combine since 2000 to have a 40-inch vertical and 129-inch broad jump. Another remarkable thing about Anthony that is often overlooked is his massive hands which measure 10.5 inches.
- Handspan: 10.50″
- Height: 6’4”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 13%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’5”
16. Jordan Love (10.50 in)
Jordan Love’s handspan is a remarkable 10.50 inches. At 6’4″, Love’s handspan ought not to exceed 9.5 inches. San Francisco 49ers QB Trey Lance stands at the same height, but he isn’t so blessed in the hand size department. His handspan only measures 9.13 inches.
- Handspan: 10.50″
- Height: 6’4”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 13%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’5”
15. David Garrad (10.50 in)
David Garrad was select by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2002 Draft. He would become the starting quarterback in the 2007 season.
- Handspan: 10.50″
- Height: 6’2″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 14%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’5″
14. Brett Hundley (10.50 in)
Breet Hundley was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2015 Draft. He would start some games in 2017 when Aaron Rodgers became injured.
- Handspan: 10.50″
- Height: 6’3”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 14%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’5”
13. Steve McNair (10.50 in)
At 6’2″, Steve McNair’s hands are significantly wider than Aaron Rodgers’s and Rich Gannon’s, both of whom are around his height. Interestingly, McNair’s handspan is 14% wider than that of 6’5″ Philip Rivers. The average handspan of a 6’2″ man is around 9.2 inches.
- Handspan: 10.50″
- Height: 6’2″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 14%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’5″
12. Ryan Leaf (10.50 in)
Ryan Leaf was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 1998 Draft. Numerous problems led to Leaf having a short career. He is considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.
- Handspan: 10.50″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 12%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’5”
11. Mark Sanchez (10.50 in)
At 6’2″, Mark Sanchez’s handspan ought to be around 9.2 inches; however, it is an impressive 10.50 inches. Mark Brunell stands around the same height as Sanchez but only has a handspan of 9.13 inches. Interestingly, 6’4″ Daunte Culpepper has smaller hands than Sanchez.
- Handspan: 10.50″
- Height: 6’2″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 14%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’5”
10. Scott Zolak (10.50 in)
Scott Zolak was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 1991 Draft. He would play for the Patriots for seven seasons.
- Handspan: 10.50″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 12%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’5”
9. Chris Simms (10.50 in)
Chris Simms was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2003 Draft. He is the son of two-time Super Bowl champion Phil Simms.
- Handspan: 10.50″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 13%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’5”
8. Nick Foles (10.63 in)
Nick Foles is a really outstanding player, and at 6’6”, he towers over the average quarterback. Given his height, one would predict a handspan of around only 9.4 inches. Mike Glennon, who is one inch taller than Foles, has a handspan that is around 10% narrower.
- Handspan: 10.63″
- Height: 6’6”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 13%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’6”
7. Will Levis (10.63 in)
Will Levis is one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks to enter the NFL in a long time. Of the quarterbacks at the 2023 NFL Combine, Will Levis had the biggest hands at 10.625 inches.
- Handspan: 10.63″
- Height: 6’4″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 14%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’6”
6. Heath Shuler (10.63 in)
At 10.63 inches, Heath Shuler’s handspan is astonishing for a guy who is only 6’2″. Jim Harbaugh and Jake Plummer stand at the same height but have hand sizes nowhere near Shuler’s. Surprisingly, Shuler has a wider handspan than 6’5″ Kerry Collins.
- Handspan: 10.63″
- Height: 6’2″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 15.5%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’6”
5. Ryan Mallett (10.75 in)
Ryan Mallett’s hands are not particularly impressive for someone his size but they are still significantly bigger than the average. Joe Flacco stands at the same height as Mallet yet his hands are 11.6% narrower than Mallett’s.
- Handspan: 10.75″
- Height: 6’6”
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 13%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’7”
4. Ryan Fitzpatrick (10.75 in)
Ryan Fitzpatrick’s handspan is quite impressive. Donovan McNabb stands at the same height but his hands are nowhere near the size of Fitzpatrick’s. Astonishingly, Ben Roethlisberger’s handspan is almost 15% narrower than Fitzpatrick’s, despite being 6’5″.
- Handspan: 10.75″
- Height: 6’2″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 16.8%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’7”
3. Cody Kessler (10.88 in)
Cody Kessler has a truly unbelievable hand size for someone his height. Jeff Blake is just as tall but only has a handspan of 8.50 inches. Matt Schaub is four inches taller than Kessler — but surprisingly his span is 16% narrower.
- Handspan: 10.88″
- Height: 6 ‘1″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 21%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 7’8″
2. Dak Prescott (10.88 in)
Dak Prescott’s handspan is truly remarkable for someone of his height. Prescott’s hands are bigger than Chris Chandler’s and Vinny Testaverde’s both of whom stand taller than him.
- Handspan: 10.88″
- Height: 6’2″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 18%
- Predicted height with this handspan: 7’8″
1. Jim Druckenmiller (11.25 in)
Jim Druckenmiller has the largest hands measured of any NFL quarterback. The average handspan of a 6’5 person is around 9.3 inches — but Druckenmiller’s span measures 11.25 inches. Carson Palmer and Drew Bledsoe stand at the same height as Druckenmiller, but their handspans are only 9.50 inches and 9.63 inches, respectively.
- Handspan: 11.25″
- Height: 6’5″
- Percent wider than the average QB his height: 21%
- Predicted height with this handspan: nearly 8’0″
Hand Sizes of Other Famous NFL Players
How about the hand sizes of other famous NFL players? Let’s take a look.
Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski’s handspan measures a staggering 10.75 inches. The average 6’6″ man has a handspan of around 9.4 inches, which means Gronkowski’s span is a remarkable 14.4% wider than the average. Levine Toilolo is two inches taller than Gronkowski, and yet Toilolo’s handspan is 4.6% narrower.
Jerry Rice
Jerry Rice’s handspan measures 9.50 inches, which is pretty average for his height of 6’2″.
DeAndre Hopkins
At 6’1″, DeAndre Hopkins’s handspan measures an unbelievable 10.08 inches. That’s around 12% wider than the average for his height. Mike Evans stands four inches taller than Hopkins but has 5% narrower hands.
Tom Brady
Tom Brady’s handspan measures 9.38 inches, which is pretty average for his height (contrary to popular belief). Former quarterback Chris Simms stands at the same height as Brady but has a handspan of 10.50 inches, which is huge.
Todd Gurley
Todd Gurley has huge hands for someone his height. At just 6’1″, his handspan measures a staggering 10.00 inches. Melvin Gordon stands at the same height as Gurley but can only boast of a hand size of 9.75 inches.
Von Miller
At 6’3″, Von Miller has a handspan of 9.25 inches, which is average for someone his height.
Ezekiel Elliot
Ezekiel Elliot’s handspan measures 10.25 inches, which is really huge considering he stands at only 6’0″. The average handspan for his height is around 8.7″. Adrian Peterson stands at 6’1″ but, his handspan measures only 9.25″, which is 10.8% narrower than Elliot’s.
Zach Ertz
Zach Ertz has a handspan of 9.75″, which is slightly wider than average for his height. At 6’5,” his span is around 5.3% wider than average.
Khalil Mack
Khalil Mack’s handspan measures 10.25″, which is huge considering his height of 6’3″. Mack’s handspan is around 5% wider than fellow linebacker Chandler Jones, despite Mack being significantly shorter.
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers has a handspan of 9.38 inches. At 6’2″, his handspan is pretty average for his height.
Jared Goff
Jared Goff has a handspan of 9 inches, which is slightly below average for a 6’4″ man. Goff’s handspan is around 3% narrower than average for his height.
Antonio Brown
Antonio Brown’s handspan measures 9,” which is quite big for a 5’10” guy. His handspan is around 6% wider than average for his height.
Jarvis Landry
At 5’11”, Jarvis Landry has an unbelievable handspan of 10.25 inches, which is a whopping 18% wider than average for his height. Landry has the same handspan as Kelvin Benjamin, who stands six inches taller.
Odell Beckham
Odell Beckham’s handspan measures 10 inches, which is extremely large considering he stands at only 5’11”. His handspan is around 18% wider than average for his height. His handspan is 2.5% wider than Calvin Johnson’s, who surprisingly stands six inches taller.
Patrick Mahomes
At 6’2″, Patrick Mahomes has a handspan of 9.25 inches, which is pretty average for someone his height. His hand size isn’t spectacular.
T. Y. Hilton
At 5’9″, T. Y. Hilton has a handspan of 8.5 inches, which is the average for a man his height.
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald’s handspan measures 10.50 inches, which is quite large. At 6’3″, his handspan is around 14.1% wider than average for his height.
Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold has a handspan of 9.38 inches, which is pretty average for a 6’3″ guy.
Cam Newton
Cam Newton has pretty big hands for a 6’5″ guy. His handspan measures 9.88 inches, which is around 6.7% wider than average for his height.
Mason Rudolph
Mason Rudolph’s handspan measures 9.13 inches. This is slightly below the average for his height of 6’5″.
Alex Smith
Alex Smith has a handspan of 9.38 inches, which is pretty average for a 6’4″ guy.
Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield has a handspan of 9.25 inches, which is about average for his height of 6’1″.
Kyle Lauletta
Kyle Lauletta has a handspan of 9.75 inches. This is around 6.4% wider than the average for his height of 6’3″.
Aaron Donald
Aaron Donald possesses a handspan of 9.88 inches, which is slightly bigger than the average span for his height of 6’1″.
Vance McDonald
Vance McDonald has pretty big hands for a 6’4″ guy. His handspan measures a whopping 10.13 inches, which is around 8.9% wider than the average for his height. His handspan is around 5.2% wider than Travis Kelce’s, who is one inch taller.
Paxton Lynch
At 6’7″, Paxton Lynch has pretty huge hands for his height. His handspan measures 10.25 inches, which is around 8% wider than the average man of his height.
Oronde Gadsden
No one can dispute the fact that Oronde Gadsden had huge hands. It was said that he had hands the size of a baseball glove, and it was one of the reasons he could pull out those incredible catches. Unfortunately, there is no reliable data on his hand size, but it was believed to be the largest of any WR in the NFL. It is safe to say Gadsden’s handspan should be in the range of 10.50 to 10.80 inches.
Julian Edelman
Unfortunately, there is no reliable data on the hand measurements of Julian Edelman. However, anyone who has watched him play can easily tell his hand size isn’t all that impressive. He seems to have pretty average hands for a 5’10” guy, which means his handspan should be around 8.50 inches.
Julio Jones
Julio Jones’s handspan measures 9.75 inches, which is quite big for a man who stands at 6’3″. The average handspan for his height is around 9.16 inches, which means his span is around 6% wider than the average.
Keeping Height in Mind
Brock Osweiler is one of the two tallest players in NFL history. The other is Daniel McGwire, and they both stand at 6’8″. The handspan of Osweiler is 9.88 inches. Being tall usually comes with huge hands, so Osweiler’s handspan, though significantly wider than the average male’s span of 8.5 inches, is pretty average for his height.
Being tall does not always come with big hands. At 6’3″, former quarterback Kliff Kingsbury has a handspan of 8.50 inches. The average handspan of someone of that height is around 9.20 inches, and hence Kingsbury’s hands are quite small for his height.
Players like Chad Pennington also beat the norm by having huge hands for their height. Pennington has a handspan of 10.25 inches. He has the same handspan as Daniel McGwire. Pennington’s hand size is pretty impressive if you consider the fact that he stands at the same height as Kliff Kingsbury.
Which NFL Quarterback Has the Smallest Hands Ever Measured?
Doug Hudson has the smallest hands measured of any NFL quarterback. His handspan measures only 7.25 inches, which is really surprising considering he stands at 6’2″. Russell Wilson stands three inches shorter than Doug Hudson but has a handspan of 10.25 inches.
Having small hands doesn’t mean a quarterback can’t be great. Players like Michael Vick have shown one can do well in the NFL despite having small hands. Here’s a list of some of the NFL quarterbacks with the smallest hands.
| Quarterback | Height | Handspan |
| Doug Hudson | 6′ 2″ | 7.25″ |
| Jeff Blake | 6′ 1″ | 8.50″ |
| John David Booty | 6′ 2″ | 8.50″ |
| Kliff Kingsbury | 6′ 3″ | 8.50″ |
| Kenny Pickett | 6′ 3″ | 8.50″ |
| Michael Vick | 6′ 0″ | 8.50″ |
| Tyler Wilson | 6′ 2″ | 8.68″ |
| John Friesz | 6′ 4″ | 8.75″ |
| Mike Perez | 6′ 1″ | 8.75″ |
| T.J. Rubley | 6′ 3″ | 8.75″ |
| Tonny Sacca | 6′ 5″ | 8.75″ |
| Brandon Allen | 6′ 2″ | 8.88″ |
| Charlie Frye | 6′ 4″ | 8.88″ |
| Tommy Hodson | 6′ 3″ | 8.88″ |
| Shane Matthews | 6′ 3″ | 8.88″ |
| Steve Matthews | 6′ 3″ | 8.88″ |
| Kevin O’Connell | 6′ 5″ | 8.88″ |
Further Reading
- Size matters: Why NFL teams are obsessed with quarterbacks’ handspans | Sport | The Guardian
The merit of Joe Burrow’s grip has been a hot topic as the college star prepares to enter the league. It’s not the only measurement players need to worry about. - Why the NFL combine built a myth around QB hand size, a measurement that doesn’t mean anything
Every spring, the cycle of the QB Hand-Size Myth begins anew, with scouts dutifully reaching for their tape measures. But there’s no evidence that bigger hands are better for NFL quarterbacks. What’s the deal?