NFL Combine 2017: Most Notable Measurements from Thursday in Indianapolis

The quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends were all measured on Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine, and there was no shortage of storylines to follow as the results rolled in.

Perhaps the biggest news of the day, at least in terms of the players being measured, came when North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky, Clemson QB Deshaun Watson and Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes all measured in at just taller than 6'2", per Dan Parr of NFL.com.

That was perhaps most important for Trubisky, as there were questions coming into the combine about his height.

"I got a note this morning that he measured in at 6'2", so he made himself some money today, I can promise you that," said new San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, per Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com.

His measurements also kept him in play for the Cleveland Browns at No. 1 and No. 12, given head coach Hue Jackson's feelings on quarterbacks, per Conor Orr of NFL.com:

"When you talk about profiles, you want a guy to be a certain height and a certain weight," Jackson added, per Chris Burke of SI.com. "It’s just a piece of it, but I think it’s important."

If ever there was a measurement that mattered, Trubisky exceeding 6'2" on Thursday was it.

DeShone Kizer, the Notre Dame prospect also in the running to be a first-round pick, came in at a quarter inch over 6'4", adding to his already impressive athletic profile. He also tied with Pitt QB Nathan Peterman for the biggest hands amongst quarterbacks at 9 and 7/8 inches.

Mahomes' hands, meanwhile, were on the small side at 9 1/4 inches, which surprised Burke:

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Mahomes’ hands are right on the cutoff point for where NFL teams can start to panic—at nine inches or below, ball security becomes a concern. Jackson spoke about this element at last year’s combine, mentioning how he preferred QBs with bigger hands given Cleveland’s cold-weather environment.

Given how Mahomes plays, and how he holds the ball when he’s escaping trouble behind the line, that 9 1/4" mark (9 2/8" officially) was a minor surprise. If you were taking bets ahead of time, most would have wagered on a bigger number.

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At wideout, the top two players—Clemson's Mike Williams (6'3 5/8" and 218 pounds) and Western Michigan wideout Corey Davis (6'2 3/4" and 209 pounds)—didn't raise any major red flags, though Davis was a bit lighter than expected. Williams' 9 and 3/8-inch hands were also a good sign for the wideout.

Ohio State standout Curtis Samuel, meanwhile, weighed in at 5'10 5/8" and 196 pounds, a nice size for a player likely to play the slot receiver role at the next level. Given his ability to make plays as a runner, Samuel could also play some scat back in the NFL. His size seems more suited to a regular role at wide receiver and not running back, however.

And John Ross, another potential first-rounder at wide receiver, measured at 5'10 3/4" and 188 pounds. While Samuel is a potential threat out of the slot, Ross is a vertical playmaker in the mold of DeSean Jackson.

As for the top two tight ends, both impressed with their measurables on Thursday, according to Burke:

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David Njoku (6' 4", 246 lbs.): An excellent height/weight for the rising tight end. But here's the real eye-opener: 82 1/2" wingspan. Eighty-two! He's a propeller plane that also can catch passes. 

Only slightly outdone was Alabama TE O.J. Howard, a likely early-Round 1 pick. He measured with an 80 5/8" wingspan, on a 6' 5 3/4", 251-lb. frame.

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Those are big men. And potential superstars at tight end, too.

Of course, if all of this obsessing over a quarter-inch here and a few pounds there seems a bit ridiculous to you, well, you aren't wrong. Tom Pelissero provided a tongue-in-cheek update on Cooper Rush that perfectly summed up the quirky nature of the combine:

Hey, football is a game of inches, as the old cliche goes. The combine is no exception.