Who would have ever thought, that one of the big talking points from the 2016 NFL Combine would be hand size, yet that’s exactly what California QB Jared Goff became the subject of, or rather his hands became the subject of.
At 9 inches, Goff’s hands size came in just a bit under the “threshold of 9 1\8 and 9 1\4”, and apparently it was enough to discourage several teams, including the Cleveland Browns, who hold the second overall pick. Said head coach Hue Jackson at the time:
“It matters because we play in a division where all of a sudden there’s rain, there’s snow and it’s different. I think guys that have big hands can grip the ball better in those environmental situations and so we’ll look for a guy that fits what we’re looking for in a quarterback and is hand size important? Yes it is.”
That was at the NFL combine, but on Friday at Cal’s Pro Day workout, Goff’s hands grew to meet the threshold, coming in at 9 1\8 inches.
So apparently, it’s game on again for Goff right? Now that his hands aren’t small again, he’s back in play for the Cleveland Browns at No. 2 right?
Truth is, Goff has always been, and will always be in play for a top 10 selection in April. He’s probably the most ready of the QBs coming out in the draft to play, an instant start from Day 1. Big hands, small hands, Goff is the best QB in this draft right now. Does that mean he’ll be the first one off the board? We’ll see a month from now, but the hand issue, at least for now, is over.
