ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay has delivered a harsh assessment of Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s NFL prospects. McShay questioned whether Pavia possesses the skill set needed to play quarterback at the professional level.
NFL Draft projections remain more science than art. Throughout draft season, analysts often deliver unwelcome news to prospects and their supporters.
In Pavia’s case, McShay’s concerns echo what many scouts already believed to be true.
“I don’t know if Diego Pavia can play quarterback in the NFL,” McShay said recently. “You watch him during the team sessions and 7-on-7s and there’s some fun things to watch, man. He just has unbelievable instincts. But when you watch him in 1-on-1s, having to drive the ball, make NFL throws, it’s not the same as the other guys.”
The comparison that best explains Pavia’s situation is that he’s the anti-Tim Tebow. Both quarterbacks play with grit and determination. Both have moxie and can make incredible plays off platform.
However, those qualities don’t directly translate to what NFL general managers seek in quarterbacks.
Key Skills Missing
Pocket presence and discipline aren’t strengths for Pavia. Neither are elite arm talent or commanding an offense within structure. His instinctive ability to place the ball precisely also raises questions.
These concerns persist despite Pavia’s success in the SEC rather than a lesser conference.
“It’s not like he did it in the WAC or FCS. He did it in the SEC,” McShay noted. “So it’s hard to say definitively that this guy can’t play in the NFL. I’m not saying that. I’m saying when you watch him out there, you start to wonder, are the limitations going to be too much in the NFL?”
Pavia is small and not particularly fast on the move. While he creates plays, he lacks the fundamental skill set NFL teams prioritize.
Sanders Provides Warning
Shedeur Sanders offers a cautionary tale for Pavia. Not in playing style, but in how pre-draft issues can impact stock.
Sanders posted impressive 2024 numbers: 74% completion percentage, almost 4,200 yards and 37 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Pavia’s 2025 stats were comparable: 70% completion percentage, almost 3,600 yards and 29 touchdowns to eight interceptions.
Despite those numbers, NFL front offices found enough concerns with Sanders to let him fall to No. 144 in the 5th round.
The key difference is playing style. Sanders works as a pocket passer within offensive frameworks. Yet pre-draft issues likely impacted his stock most significantly.
Pre-Draft Concerns Mount
Pavia started the pre-draft process poorly. He supported coach Clark Lea’s attempt to schedule an additional game for playoff positioning. Later, he used Twitter to ask for legislative help from the President of the United States.
Neither move was received well by NFL evaluators.
The Heisman Trophy presentation raised two red flags. First, it confirmed Pavia’s strikingly small stature. Second, his reaction to not winning created more concerns.
When Pavia didn’t win the Heisman, he criticized voters and cast shadows over the entire process.
His Senior Bowl performance didn’t help his cause. While teammates voted him one of the better practice players, that didn’t translate to game action.
Pavia’s size, footwork, passing technique and delivery all showed varying degrees of concern during the actual game.
The Scouting Combine and Vanderbilt’s pro day will provide more clarity on his draft stock. However, early indications aren’t promising for long-term NFL success.
Pavia has claimed since the season ended that he was the best player in the 2026 NFL Draft. It’ll take more than soundbites to convince front offices to invest a pick in him.
If he can’t make that case convincingly, his draft stock might fall below Sanders’ fifth-round selection. That would place him deep in Day 3, if he’s drafted at all.
