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Why do NFL combine measurements matter? Why results are important for OL, QB, WR
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- Why do NFL combine measurements matter? Why results are important for OL, QB, WR
The NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis is an annual exhibition for teams to better understand the latest crop of future NFL stars. Prospects will meet with teams and go through interviews to give scouts and front office members more information about who they should select in April's NFL draft.
The interviews are a key part of the weekend as are the drills each position group goes through. The 40-yard dash is the most popular drill and could make a huge difference for skill position players, especially wide receivers . Some positions go through specific drills, like the long pull drill for offensive linemen.
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Another part of the weekend is the physical measurements. Teams can take what they've seen on film with the context of how a prospect compares to NFL players size-wise.
Here's why they're a key part of the NFL combine weekend.
Why do NFL combine measurements matter?
The measurements may be less notable than the drill results for most fans, but they could have a huge impact on a prospect's future.
Results in arm length, wingspan, hand size, height and weight could affect when a player is taken in the NFL draft. Below-average results in these measurements could drop a player's status going into the draft and impressive results could move them up a round or two.
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Some teams have specific requirements for different positions. The Green Bay Packers are usually particular about wide receiver size, often drafting players at the position that are at least 5-foot-10 and 185 lbs. in addition to specific times in speed and agility drills.
Some specific measurements are important for different positions.
NFL combine: Why arm length matters for offensive linemen
One of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL draft class is LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell. He's expected to be a top-10 pick come April thanks to his mix of athleticism, size, power, footwork and experience.
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But analysts aren't sure if he'll play tackle or guard due to arm-length concerns. Offensive tackles need longer arms when blocking edge defenders who are often long, elite athletes. If a defender can get his hands on a tackle but the tackle can't due to his shorter arms, the defender can blow up the play and cause problems for the offense.
Arm length is less of a concern on the interior (guard and center). Those positions take on defenders more head-on and see fewer elite athletes on average.
The typical threshold for NFL offensive tackles is 34 inches. That's neither a hard cutoff nor a predictor of success, though. Two-time All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell 's arms are 33 and 1/4 inches long which is in the 18th percentile for the position, per MockDraftable .
Having 34-inch arms just makes it easier to start as an offensive tackle and means players don't have to rely so much on elite athleticism or footwork to overcome a matchup disadvantage.
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NFL combine: Why hand size matters for quarterbacks
Quarterbacks handle the football on every play on offense and having larger hands can make a difference. Bigger hands mean more control of the ball, which can be pivotal for preventing fumbles or ensuring consistency in mixed conditions.
The common threshold for quarterback hand size is nine inches and most NFL quarterbacks are between nine and 10 inches. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow 's hands were exactly nine inches which puts him in the eighth percentile for the position. Justin Herbert 's hand size measured at 10 inches , putting the fellow first-round quarterback in the 2020 NFL draft in the 80th percentile.
Like arm length for offensive linemen, hand size isn't an exact predictor of success. Two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes ' hands are just 9 1/4 inches, slightly larger than Burrow's. Jim Druckenmiller had some of the largest hands ever measured at the NFL combine at 11 1/4 inches. He went No. 26 overall in the 1997 NFL draft and played in just six games over two years for the San Francisco 49ers .
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NFL combine: Why wingspan matters for wide receivers, tight ends
Wingspan isn't a make-or-break measurement for wide receivers, but it helps at the NFL level. The longer arms a wide receiver has, the bigger the catch radius they'll have, making it easier to corral passes from quarterbacks and separate from tight coverage.
49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has some of the longest arms for the position in the league, helping him separate against defenders. Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts ' wingspan is in the 98th percentile at a ridiculous 83 3/8 inches. The average for tight ends and wide receivers is around 75 1/2 inches.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Johnny Wilson set an NFL combine record last year with an 84 1/2-inch wingspan, the longest for the position. Wilson didn't see much action for the Eagles in their Super Bowl campaign but could end up as a matchup advantage in the future.
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Rookies on each end of the wingspan spectrum had some success in 2024. Jaguars wideout Brian Thomas Jr. measured in the 89th percentile in wingspan (79 5/8 inches) and led all rookies with 1,282 receiving yards, good enough for third league-wide. Fellow rookie Ladd McConkey finished 10th in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,149 but he measured in the 9th percentile of arm length at 72 inches.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL combine measurements explained: Arm length, hand size, wingspan
