Jared Goff has long been considered one of, if not the top quarterback in this draft class. He has already taken one of the biggest tests of the combine before even stepping foot on the field. Two questions that are constantly asked about Goff regard his hand size and his weight. Goff is a tall, skinny quarterback with what are considered small hands. Many have wondered if Goff has the bulk to withstand the hits quarterbacks can take in the NFL, while others worry about his ability to grip the ball in cold and wet weather.
Goff measured in at 6 feet 4, 215 pounds with nine-inch hands. Many teams implement a threshold when it comes to certain measurements. The Seahawks, for example, like long-armed corners and haven’t drafted one recently with arms shorter than 32 inches. The threshold for quarterback hand size is right around that nine-inch mark. While ideally he’d have bigger hands, a player with Goff’s talent will probably get a pass from most teams for that measurement.
The bigger concern in my eyes is his bulk. When Robert Griffin III was drafted in 2012, most draft analysts were concerned about his ability to withstand hits. He measured in at 6-2, 223, which is heavier and more compact than the taller, lighter Goff. That will undoubtedly raise some concerns, but again it isn’t a deal breaker for Goff. Goff was listed at around 200 pounds in college, meaning he’s put on nearly 15 pounds since the end of the season. That will encourage teams to see he does have the ability to bulk up. There are quarterbacks in the NFL that play at a smaller size too; Kirk Cousins is listed at 202 pounds and is only an inch shorter than Goff.
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Goff will reportedly throw at the combine, which I personally think is a good move. In the past, top quarterback prospects have opted against throwing at the combine as they believe they have nothing to gain. But there isn’t a clear number one quarterback in this class, with Goff believed to be competing against Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch to be the first quarterback drafted. By throwing, he’ll have the chance to impress scouts and coaches in person, many of whom will be seeing him throw live for the first time.
[What’s on the line for Lee/Cravens, Treadwell, Miller & Nkemdiche]
I’ll also be interested in his footwork. Goff played in a spread offense in which he operated from the shotgun most of the time. By taking part in drills, Goff can show he has no problems lining up under center and taking three-, five- and seven-step drops. Whenever I’ve watched him, I’ve noticed just how active he keeps his feet. Active feet are a good trait for a quarterback, as they allow him to make any necessary adjustments quickly. But Goff’s feet are almost too active and that can make him appear panicked at times or stop him from setting and throwing in rhythm.
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His measurements were the biggest part of the combine for Goff. Now he’ll have the chance to go out and impress on the field and in interviews with teams. He made a number of impressive throws and shows some traits of advanced-level quarterbacking, which I’m sure teams will want to talk to him about. A good performance in both those areas could solidify him as the top quarterback in this draft class.
Mark Bullock is The Insider’s Outsider, sharing his Redskins impressions without the benefit of access to the team. For more breakdowns, click here.
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