The 2026 NFL Draft may have passed on Diego Pavia, but the quarterback who electrified college football isn't letting that stop him. After an unforgettable season at Vanderbilt—where he led the Commodores to heights few thought possible and cemented himself as arguably the best passer in program history—Pavia has found a home with the Baltimore Ravens.
Signing as an undrafted free agent, Pavia now steps into a quarterback room that's both intriguing and wide open behind superstar Lamar Jackson. While Jackson is firmly the starter, the depth chart behind him features Tyler Huntley, Skylar Thompson, and fellow undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano. It's not the deepest group, and that's where opportunity knocks.
Sports Illustrated's Mike Kadlick recently made a compelling case for why Pavia could actually make the Ravens' final roster in 2026. The key? Versatility. During an appearance on Jon Gruden's QB Class, the idea emerged that Pavia could serve not just as a backup quarterback, but as an immediate offensive contributor—similar to how the Saints have utilized Taysom Hill over the years.
This versatility could be especially valuable for Baltimore. Jackson, now 29, missed four games due to injury in 2025 and posted career lows in carries (67), rushing yards (349), and rushing touchdowns (2). Having a player who can take some of that rushing load off Jackson while providing a unique offensive wrinkle could be a game-changer for the Ravens.
What makes this fit even more natural? Baltimore's offensive coordinator, Declan Doyle, spent four years as an assistant with the Saints while Hill was there. He knows firsthand how to deploy a multi-positional weapon like Pavia, who has already expressed openness to playing other positions if it means sticking on an NFL roster.
For fans who love an underdog story—and who appreciate the kind of gritty, versatile talent that makes football so exciting—Diego Pavia is a name to watch this summer. The path from undrafted free agent to NFL roster spot is never easy, but in Baltimore, he might have found the perfect place to prove everyone wrong.