Josh Allen is willing to try to turn the Browns around. It’s a big job. Thankfully he has the hand size to handle it.

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of year, when we determine whether quarterbacks are able to play in the NFL by the span from their thumb to their pinkie finger.

According to Josh Norris of NBC Sports, Wyoming’s Josh Allen came in at a healthy 10-1/8 inches. That’s the biggest of this year’s crop of Senior Bowl quarterbacks. Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com has all the measurements, and the guy everyone will be asking about later is Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph, who isn’t playing in the Senior Bowl and not just because he has 9-1/8-inch hands. (He actually has a foot injury, no word on his shoe size.)

Hand size is an actual quantifiable thing, and it has an actual football application. The bigger your hands are, the easier it is to grip the ball (especially in bad conditions) and throw it accurately and well.

But it also takes on a life of its own this time of year, when NFL scouts log every bit of information possible and the internet dissects it to a ridiculous degree.

The Rams moved up and drafted Jared Goff even though he had little bitty hands. Some guys with tiny hands even go to get them stretched, so they don’t feel inadequate when they get to the Scouting Combine.

Is it ridiculous? Sometimes. But that’s never stopped scouts, or us, from talking about it.

Quarterbacks
-Baker Mayfield made some nice throws today but didn’t look completely comfortable from under center. He had trouble with his three-step drop and wouldn’t completely finish before releasing the ball in one on ones. He muscled a few throws but displayed accuracy and zip on a majority of his throws. It’s only the first day but his comfort in three and five-step drops needs to continue to be monitored the rest of the week.

-With plenty of buzz around the other signal-callers, the biggest name in Mobile struggled out of the gate. Josh Allen continued to display trouble consistently hitting his target and had some bad misses on layups throws in one on ones. While he continues to display tremendous arm strength, he missed too many easy throws, both vs. pressure and without pressure, on Day 1 and will need to have a strong showing the rest of the week if he wants to solidify himself as a top 10 pick.

-Virginia quarterback Kurt Benkert had a nice day. He was showing plenty of spin and accuracy on short-intermediate throws. He displayed many of the traits that made him successful during his senior year at Virginia and a strong first day has created buzz throughout Mobile.

-Troy quarterback Brandon Silvers showed off his strong arm today. He was accurate at all levels of the field and threw a beautiful 30-yard throw to the end zone that receiver Marcel Ateman was unable to haul in. He delivers a pretty clean ball and tight spiral and had a solid overall day.

-Western Kentucky quarterback Mike White really struggled in the first practice. He wasn’t showing the same velocity and spin he has throughout the season. He really struggled with his accuracy on easy throws underneath and also had two fumbled snaps. It was a tough overall day for him but, given what he displayed on film this season, there is still hope that he comes out and has a strong showing in tomorrow’s practice.

-One of the biggest concerns about Washington State’s Luke Falk coming into the week was about leaving his college system that often aids quarterback decision making. In practice, Falk looked hesitant more often than his peers, working to place passes too often, which led to erratically missed throws on Day 1. Still, his quick feet are evident in practice reps, and trait/mental make-up wise, there’s a lot to like

-The quickest release of the quarterbacks is clearly Richmond’s Kyle Lauletta, who’s compares to Jimmy Garoppolo likely won’t stop during practices. He had some misfires today, and the lack of high-end arms strength showed on perimeter and out-route throws. But he, along with all of the South quarterbacks, will look for a better Day 2.

-Tanner Lee displayed exceptional arm strength and put a majority of his throws on a rope while maintaining a tight spiral. He displayed accuracy on short and some intermediate throws, but his long ball continues to plague him. He has all the arm in the world to make the throws, but his touch and accuracy pushing the ball vertical remain an issue that he can’t seem to shake.