Kenny Pickett has fans worried about his 8 1/2-inch hands.
The University of Pittsburgh quarterback became a trending Twitter topic on Thursday after his hands were measured at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Pickett’s hands are smaller than any active NFL quarterback, trailing Saints QB Taysom Hill, whose hands registered at 8 3/4 inches.
No first-round quarterback has measured at under nine inches from thumb to pinky since the combine began measurements (Hill did not participate in 2017).
Pickett’s hand size has been a hot topic ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, which will take place from April 28-30, as some critics believe the 23-year-old Pitt product will have trouble gripping a bigger NFL-sized ball. Sources suspect the cold-weather-based Broncos could be concerned about the quarterback’s small hands gripping the football.
Pickett said he does exercises designed to widen his hands.
“There wasn’t much talk about that in all the formal interviews and informal interviews I’ve had so far this week,” said the Ocean Township, N.J. native. “Whatever it measures, it measures. I’m sure that won’t be the last of [the talk], but it’ll be the last measurement I take of it. Your tape is your résumé. All this other stuff are the boxes you have to check before the draft.”
Kenny Pickett’s hands measured in at the smallest in the NFL Scouting Combine era. AP Photo
Pickett, the highest-rated QB in the 2022 NFL Draft, says he’s been doing exercises to increase his hand size.
Pickett impressed NFL scouts with his detailed passing game, athleticism and ability to throw on the move. He ended his senior campaign at Pitt throwing for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and just one interception. He finished third in voting for the Heisman Trophy, which went to Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
“Pickett is a proven winner who should be a good starter for a long time, so he should go first,” one NFL talent evaluator told The Post.
Pickett led Pitt to its first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference championship with a win over Wake Forest on Dec. 4. He made headlines over his fake slide on a 58-yard touchdown run, which led to the NCAA banning the move.
The future pro announced his engagement to girlfriend Amy Paternoster in January, a month after he declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.
