Despite leading Vanderbilt to the first 10-win season in school history and earning a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist for his efforts, quarterback Diego Pavia failed to hear his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It was naturally going to be an uphill battle for Pavia to be among the 257 players in the NFL’s annual entry into the league as a 5-foot-10 quarterback who produced middling physical traits for the position (he does, interestingly enough, possess quality-sized hands at 9 5/8 inches).
Nevertheless, Pavia posted a 94.8 PFSN QB Impact Score in 2025, the best in the nation. As highlighted in Pavia’s PFSN scouting profile, he has the desired mobility, toughness, and quick-game utility to function as an NFL backup, but his ceiling is likely capped beyond that.”
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have cemented themselves as one of the gold standards for integrating mobile quarterbacks. With Lamar Jackson entrenched as the starter, Baltimore’s offensive infrastructure is already centered around the integration of designed quarterback runs and run-pass options (RPOs), both elements with which Pavia is certainly familiar. It’s also worth noting that Baltimore did not utilize a pick on a quarterback over the last three days.
Philadelphia Eagles
Unlike their fellow avian franchise, the Eagles selected a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. They, too, have an entrenched starter in the sturdy and sufficiently athletic Jalen Hurts, whose game is not predicated on attacking the middle of the field.
Philadelphia subscribes to dependency on the pairing of running back Saquon Barkley and a sturdy offensive line to play the older-school, ball-control style of offense. Hurts is involved in said ground game, so Pavia’s addition would seemingly make sense.
Not that I am in any way comparing them as players, but there has been much speculation surrounding Philadelphia’s possible trading of reserve quarterback Tanner McKee. Perhaps that could enhance Pavia’s likelihood of a longer-term presence.
Chicago Bears
Generally, what teams covet or prioritize in a backup quarterback differs from the premiums they place on candidates for the starting job (naturally). But the theme remains the same here, as Chicago chose not to bolster its quarterback room in the draft. Head coach Ben Johnson has established his identity as someone who constructs his offense behind heavy personnel: running and throwing out of 12- and 13-personnel, with a schematic play-action element.
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That, too, is something Pavia is familiar with from his time at Vanderbilt, as well as emulating the improvisational style of play at Caleb Williams’ disposal. Pavia lacks viable NFL traits, but if there were a single system to extract his utmost potential, it would be Chicago’s.