The man who once warned the Houston Texans they'd regret passing on Johnny Manziel is back at it again—this time defending another college quarterback who fell through the cracks. Skip Bayless, the outspoken former FS1 personality, is firing shots at NFL teams after Heisman finalist Diego Pavia went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pavia, who led Vanderbilt to a stunning 6-2 SEC record and famously toppled Alabama last season, was passed over in all seven rounds. He became the first Heisman runner-up to go unpicked in 12 years, a dubious distinction that has sparked outrage among fans and analysts alike. The quarterback did land a rookie minicamp invite from the Baltimore Ravens, but Bayless believes that's just a consolation prize.
“I realize his off-field has caused some concerns, but Diego Pavia deserved better than a minicamp tryout with the Ravens,” Bayless wrote on X. “He did lead the Vanderbilt Commodores to a 6-2 SEC record, did beat Bama the season before, did scare Texas twice.”
Pavia's Stellar College Resume
Pavia's numbers were hard to ignore. In his final season, he threw for over 3,500 yards, 39 touchdowns, and completed 70.6% of his passes—earning him a second-place finish in Heisman voting behind Indiana star Fernando Mendoza, who went first overall to the Raiders. Yet, when draft day came, Pavia's phone stayed silent.
NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein offered a balanced take in his draft profile on NFL.com. “Pavia is a short, tough, productive quarterback who plays bigger than his measurables,” Zierlein wrote. “He elevates those around him and was the main character in Vanderbilt’s shift from doormat to winning program.”
Zierlein praised Pavia's improvisational skills and ability to scan progressions, but also pointed out limitations: “He lacks ideal mechanics and needs altered launch points for cleaner sight lines and release points. His deep ball is below average. … Quarterbacks his size rarely make NFL rosters.”
A Shot with the Ravens
Despite the snub, Pavia now has a chance to learn under two-time MVP Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. It's a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for a quarterback who many believe was undervalued. The Ravens have a history of developing undrafted talent, and Pavia's competitive fire could make him a valuable backup.
Fans and analysts have been quick to weigh in, with some pointing out that Pavia's draft slide echoes other overlooked quarterbacks who later proved doubters wrong. Deion Sanders offered a perfect response to the snub, lifting spirits with a message of resilience. Meanwhile, rumors about Pavia's agent being crushed after the draft have been quickly dismissed.
For now, Pavia will head to Baltimore with a chip on his shoulder. And if history is any guide, Skip Bayless might just be right—again.
