Diego Pavia 2026 NFL Draft tracker live updates on Vanderbilt quarterback originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia put up a combined 4,401 yards both through the air and on the ground in the 2025 season. The runner-up for the Heisman Trophy scored almost 40 touchdowns combined. A 170-season rating average and almost 71% completions should have put him firmly in the top 100. However, there are several factors working against Pavia. He was listed by Vanderbilt to be 6'0. While that is respectable, it is below the mark of what NFL teams look for. That was made into an even bigger concern when he measured 5'9" and 7/8" at the Senior Bowl. Excluding Kyler Murray's NFL Rookie of the Year season, there has not been a 'successful' NFL QB under 5-foot-10 since 2000. Despite the size concern there is a skill set concern. What Pavia did at Vanderbilt can work in the college game, but has very little success at the NFL level. Too many big plays off the platform, relies too much on his legs, and he is not viewed as a QB that can stand and deliver from the pocket. Then there's off the field antics. Pavia is making the same mistakes that Shedeur Sanders and others have made in recent memory. He's trying to speak a draft stock into existence that no one else agrees with. He has been dismissive of the talent level of other players. He confirmed to Jon Gruden that he would not hire an agent.
What team will be selecting @Vandyfootball QB Diego Pavia in the upcoming NFL Draft? 👀 @FedEx2026 NFL Draft – April 23-25 on NFLN/ESPN/ABCStream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/oc9uh2S4xu
The 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network-- available on Fubo), The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
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