NFL draft: Does QB hand dimension truly matter? Cam Ward’s causes questions

The NFL draft is a crapshoot. Normally, gamers usually tend to not make it to a second contract with the group that chosen them than to excel. That’s true even early within the draft with little certainty of why a participant will or gained’t achieve success.

Because the NFL mix finishes their course of over the following few days for the 2025 draft prep, quarterback hand dimension as soon as once more has come into focus. QB Cam Ward, rumored to be the Cleveland Browns focus with the second general choose, measured with simply nine-inch arms in Indianapolis.

Why is that essential? For years, media and followers have made a giant deal of gamers with “small” arms. Just lately, Kenny Pickett measuring at 8.5” led to many jokes and a whole lot of concern. Pickett nonetheless was drafted within the first spherical by the Pittsburgh Steelers however lasted simply two seasons with the Steelers together with his paltry 13 touchdowns matched by 13 interceptions.

Did Pickett fail due to his hand dimension? Onerous to inform, however it’s a variable that groups must take a look at.

On the Senior Bowl, a giant deal was product of the truth that Jalen Milroe was measured at smaller than 9” however, in Indianapolis, he jumped as much as 9 3/8” someway. Shedeur Sanders eclipsed the 9” mark (additionally 9 3/8”) that’s all the time seen as a threshold.

From an information perspective, The thirty third Group’s analysis by Sports activities Information Options says that the most important affect of hand dimension is on arm power:

Arm power is the one issue considerably impacted by hand dimension, as common depth of completion will increase considerably. This implies quarterbacks with bigger arms are finishing passes considerably additional downfield on common.

SB Nation’s Denver Broncos website, Mile Excessive Report, additionally checked out general knowledge noting that quarterbacks with smaller arms don’t fumble extra typically:

Fairly notable to see 9” arms of Joe Burrow on the high of the listing, fumbling solely each 255 snaps whereas Dak Prescott, together with his big 10 7/8” arms, dropping the ball as soon as each 72 makes an attempt.

Whereas hand dimension, aggregated over time, could not predict success and even fumbles, they can be utilized to assist clarify particular person performances or issues.

Ward, for instance, not solely has small arms however is credited with 50 fumbles in his 5 seasons. Professional Soccer Focus’ fumble grade for Ward is extremely regarding together with his finest season coming final 12 months:

2024 – 50.5 (orange)
2023 – 27.9 (pink)
2022 – 45.4 (orange)
2021 – 25.2 (pink)
2020 – 27.9 (pink)

Even in his finest seasons, Ward’s ball safety doesn’t make it to a mean grade (60, yellow) in line with PFF.

For comparability, Sanders had 31 fumbles in 4 seasons together with 12 as a real freshman at Jackson State. Milroe had barely much less (29) in his 4 seasons however 24 got here within the final two seasons when he was the full-time starter.

Of the highest 4 quarterbacks, Jaxson Dart leads the best way with simply 18 fumbles in 4 seasons with a profession excessive of seven in his first season at Ole Miss.

Like each measurable, hand dimension is only one piece of data, however one that may assist perceive both issues with fumbles or the power to push the ball deep down the sphere. Whether or not Ward’s (or Milroe’s from the Senior Bowl) impacts how groups take a look at the 2 quarterbacks might be fascinating.

What do you concentrate on hand dimension for quarterbacks? Ought to it affect Ward’s draft inventory?