Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft Evaluation Just Ignited the Most Unexpected QB Debate — And It’s Getting Surprisingly Real

The New York Giants have made it clear they’re leaving no stone unturned at quarterback. They sent the entire front office to Boulder for Shedeur Sanders’ Pro Day. Brian Daboll, Joe Schoen, Brandon Brown—the full brain trust was on hand, watching every throw from Deion Sanders’ son, and perhaps their future franchise quarterback.

Sanders impressed overall, completing 58-of-63 passes with several deep throws that turned heads. Sure, he “patted” the ball on nearly every throw—a rhythmic habit that some view as a minor red flag—but his accuracy, velocity, and command of the session spoke louder. The Giants, who sit at No. 3 overall, are clearly intrigued.

Not everyone was as impressed. A clip of Sanders tapping the ball before each release made the rounds on social media, and critics pounced. One of them was New York Jets safety Andre Cisco. But before the keyboard warriors could pile on, Giants wideout Darius Slayton entered the chat—and things escalated when Dallas Cowboys All-Pro Micah Parsons joined in.

Darius Slayton trades blows with Micah Parsons over Shedeur Sanders

Here’s how the exchange went down on social media:

Slayton:
(crying face, crying face) I promise he can pat the ball and be just fine if DB’s was so good at breaking on ball pats they’d all have 8+ picks a year. Same guys that fall for a 2 man dagger concept and give up the dig on 3rd&long every season all season long talkin bout a ball pat what a joke (crying face).

Parsons:
You realize at Pat on the ball can be difference between a sack or a throw away/completion?

Slayton:
Tom Brady literally the king of getting the ball out fast patted the ball when he threw. So actually no patting the ball is not the difference.

Parsons:
Comparing the greatest quarterback ever to sanders is why I’ll never entertain a football conversation with you!! Like what are we doing here??

Slayton:
Posts montage of Tom Brady, Kyler Murray, Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, and other star QBs all patting the ball before throwing.

Parsons: Radio silence.

And that was that. Parsons didn’t respond.

Sanders isn’t a perfect prospect. The ball-patting thing is real. It’s a tick, a timing cue, and yes, it may need to be coached out at the next level. But acting like it’s some quarterback death sentence? That’s a stretch. Patrick Mahomes does it. Brady did it. If Shedeur processes a tick faster in the league, nobody will care.

What matters is that Slayton defended Sanders like he’s already throwing him the ball in Giants blue. And if that’s any clue to what’s coming on draft night, then Micah better get ready—because this NFC East feud is just getting started.