In the past 24 to 48 hours the NFL world has been consumed by two things. One has Aaron Rodgers made up his mind about what he is going to do for next season and two, just how the heck do they measure a person's hand size at the NFL combine. 

The Aaron Rodgers question may go unanswered for several more months but the hand size query appears to have a solid answer. Of course, all the talk about hand size got started because of one player in particular. That player is Kenny Pickett. Kenny is an NFL hopeful who starred as quarterback for the University of Pittsburgh.

Kenny appears to be one of the better quarterback prospects at the NFL combine this year however debate over his hands and how big or not big they are have dominated the discussion. Evidently, NFL scouts have certain physical parameters they like a player to fall within and Pickett's paws don't seem to measure up.

DICKS Sporting Goods via YouTube
DICKS Sporting Goods via YouTube
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I could see why NFL teams would have a concern. Investing in a quarterback, even a backup rookie quarterback can mean millions of dollars. And, all of that money could be out the window if the prospect doesn't "measure up".

ESPN has published a list of current NFL quarterbacks and their hand sizes and Pickett would be the QB with the smallest hands in the league if he is chosen by an NFL team in the upcoming draft.

Cincinnati Bengals v Detroit Lions
Nic Antaya/Getty Images
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Kenny Pickett's hands reportedly measured 8.5 inches at the NFL combine. The next player up from that smallest hand's list is none other than Taysom Hill of the New Orleans Saints. His hands measure 8.75 inches. Joe Burrow of the Bengals is 9.0 inches as are Ryan Tannehill of the Titans and Jared Goff of Detroit.

Now if you're looking for some big hands to stick up under a center's behind, you'll want to call Russel Wilson of Seattle. His hands measure 10.25 inches. The aforementioned Aaron Rodgers hands are 10.125 inches as is Josh Allen of the Bills.

So, how do they measure hand size in the NFL?

 

The process is very similar, at least to me, as the process you'd use to make a "hand-drawn Thanksgiving turkey" like you did when you were a kid. Except you don't trace around the fingers.

Spread your hand out on a piece of paper like this.

Ron Whitcomb via YouTube
Ron Whitcomb via YouTube
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You will then mark the tip of your pinky finger and the tip of your thumb.

Ron Whitcomb via YouTube
Ron Whitcomb via YouTube
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Then all you have to do is take your ruler or tape measure and note the distance between the two points you've made on the paper. That will determine your hand size as defined by the NFL.

Ron Whitcom via YouTube
Ron Whitcom via YouTube
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So, how did it turn out? Are you NFL material? Is that why you can carry four beers in one hand?

Of course, the hand size issue is an issue because NFL scouts relate hand size to a player's ability to maintain control of the ball. That's especially important for quarterbacks who handle the ball on every offensive play their team is on the field.

Will Kenny "tiny hands" Pickett be able to overcome his physical limitations? Will Taysom Hill continue to just amaze people with his physical talents, small hands notwithstanding? I guess we'll all just have to wait and see how it unfolds next year when the NFL season begins.

I wonder if DraftKings will let you bet on most fumbles by a quarterback with hands smaller than Joe Burrow as one of those Prop Bets next year? Probably not.

Here's another thing you need good sized hands for, watermelon. It's like a football but easier to eat.

8 Easy Tricks to Picking the Sweetest Watermelons

 

 

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