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When the NFL Draft process arrives every spring, certain scouting principles bloom like tulips. They include meeting requisite arm length and wingspan requirements in order to play tackle, weight for cornerbacks and, maybe most notably, quarterback heights.
While 40-yard dash times are heavily scrutinized in the lead-up to late April, quarterbacks’ statures are potentially just as important in projecting players to the next level. Even if a shorter gunslinger thrives in college, there will likely be a harsher learning curve in the NFL — where the median player is taller, faster and stronger.
To set a baseline, the average height for a quarterback prospect is between 6-foot-2 ½ inches and 6-foot-3, based on Mockdraftable data. In terms of the 2026 quarterback class, eight players — including potential Day 2 options Ty Simpson, Garrett Nussmeier and Cade Klubnik — were below that figure.
It can be easy to construe narratives about these quarterbacks based solely on their frames. But with a>Kyler Murray (2019) and Bryce Young (2023), indicating that teams at the top of the draft have prioritized athleticism and creativity over binary measurements. The other headliner in that group is Russell Wilson, whose 5-foot-11 height (2nd percentile) wasn’t a barrier in accomplishing a storied NFL career.
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Expanding the height radius to no taller than 6-feet, the sample size of gunslingers reaches 16 players — including the likes of Dillon Gabriel, Johnny Manziel and Kellen Moore. Only six members of that group have played at least 500 career snaps, and a measly three (Wilson, Murray, Young) sit above a 65.0 overall grade. For comparison, 10 of the 16 are under a 60.0 mark, which is staggeringly poor.
Adding one inch brings the evaluated height to 6-foot-1, which still represents only the 14th percentile at the position. Since 2012, there have been 39 quarterbacks 6-foot-1 ½ inches or shorter to debut — with Brock Purdy, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Caleb Williams and Tua Tagovailoa among them. Only six of those 39 reached an 80.0 overall grade, and just eight were at a 70.0 mark. Further, just 14 of the 39 (35.9%) experienced at least 1,000 career snaps.
Sub-6-foot-1 1/2-inch Quarterbacks with a 70.0+ Overall PFF Grade (2012-25)
PlayerHeightDraft YearOverall PFF GradeSnapsRussell Wilson5'11”201294.313,995Brock Purdy6'0 5/8″202291.23,304Jalen Hurts6'1″202090.75,975Baker Mayfield6'0 5/8″201885.28,142Kyler Murray5'10 1/8″201985.15,742Tua Tagovailoa6'0″202081.34,651Caleb Williams6'1 1/8″202475.52,424Malik Willis6'0 1/2″202270.9547Some of the prominent names measuring below 6-foot-2 above have won Super Bowls, made Pro Bowls and secured upward of $200 million dollars throughout their careers. Wilson, Purdy and Hurts underscore that it’s definitely possible to develop into a long-term, effective starting quarterback despite being a height outlier.
At the same time, those like Murray and Tagovailoa paint a more fleeting picture, with their limitations creating a smaller margin of error in pro football. Height matters at a position like quarterback because of seeing over the offensive line, having passes batted down and attacking the middle of the field. Unless a quarterback possesses elite athleticism, premier accuracy or great escapability, there may not be an easy way to answer defensive quagmires.
Increasing the height threshold to 6-foot-2 still represents a below-average height metric in the 32nd percentile. But it definitely presents encouraging results — which may not be shocking given that the figure gets closer to average.
Over the last 14 years, there have been 74 gunslingers standing 6-foot-2 ½ inches or shorter to turn pro, with players like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott part of them. Eighteen of those 74 are above a 70.0 grade (24.3%); 12 reached an 80.0 mark; and six were at a 90.0. Further, 26 of the 74 met the desired snap criteria. That’s a group displaying promise.
When adjusting the height to 6-foot-2 ½ inches or taller, that (unsurprisingly) becomes the sweet spot for quarterback success. Since 2012, there have been 132 such players to break in, and 40 of them have reached a 70.0 overall grade. Moreover, 20 of the 132 were at an 80.0, and eight earned a 90.0 grade. In this group, we find players like Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow, Jordan Love and many more.