Diego Pavia went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, becoming the first Heisman finalist not selected since 2014. He remains unsigned as an undrafted free agent, despite expectations that he will eventually join an NFL team.
Key points
Diego Pavia went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft
He is the first Heisman finalist not selected since 2014
Pavia remains unsigned as an undrafted free agent
Concerns about his size affected his draft status
Expectations are that he will eventually be signed
Still, such a result wasn't a major surprise. Pavia had been widely expected to be a late, Day 3 pick at best because of concerns about his 5-10, 207-pound frame and whether his gritty style of play would translate to NFL success.
Even so, Pavia's non-selection was notable. He became the first Heisman Trophy finalist not to be chosen in the NFL draft since Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch in 2014.
Will Pavia ultimately get signed by an NFL team? The expectation is yes, but it hasn't happened yet. Here's the latest on his availability and where the 24-year-old could sign as he looks to begin his professional career.
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
6 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Houston Texans: G Febechi Nwaiwu, Oklahoma
7 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
San Francisco 49ers: DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
8 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Denver Broncos: RB Jonah Coleman, Washington
9 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Denver Broncos: RB Jonah Coleman, Washington
10 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
New York Jets: QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson
11 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Denver Broncos: OL Kage Casey, Boise State
12 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Dallas Cowboys: OT Drew Shelton, Penn State
13 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Indianapolis Colts: G Jalen Farmer, Kentucky
14 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Dallas Cowboys: CB Devin Moore, Florida
15 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Baltimore Ravens: WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
16 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Keionte Scott, Miami (FL)
17 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Los Angeles Chargers: OT Travis Burke, Memphis
18 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Detroit Lions: LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
19 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Jacksonville Jaguars: Edge Wesley Williams, Duke
Did Diego Pavia get signed as undrafted free agent?
Pavia has not yet inked a deal as an undrafted free agent. He wasn't immediately signed following the completion of Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, and it remains unclear when – or if – he might get an opportunity at the NFL level.
Pavia largely went undrafted because of concerns about his size. He measured in at just over 5-10 at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, which puts him among the bottom-tier of NFL quarterbacks in terms of height.
Of course, NFL teams have shown a willingness to ignore height concerns at the quarterback position in recent seasons. Both Kyler Murray (5-10) and Bryce Young (5-10) were chosen No. 1 overall in their respective draft classes, which gave Pavia hope of being selected.
But the main difference between those two and Pavia? Murray had a cannon arm and elite mobility while Young showed better operating within the pocket in a pro-style offense. Add in that Pavia will be a 24-year-old rookie and NFL teams were left wondering about his ceiling for the next level.
Even so, Pavia was extremely productive at Vanderbilt, turning the program from a perennial loser to an SEC contender. He showed excellent toughness and great on-the-move playmaking skills, allowing him to be hyper-productive for the Commodores despite lacking explosive athleticism.
Many believed those traits would get Pavia a look as a late-round pick despite being an outlier physically. Ultimately, he didn't get that chance and is now looking for one as an undrafted free agent.
Diego Pavia landing spots
Where could Pavia end up as he continues to hunt for a home in the NFL? These are the most sensible landing spots for him.
The Ravens have just two quarterbacks on their roster in Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. Pavia could get a chance to develop as a third-stringer, and his mobility would make him a solid fit behind the veteran duo.
The Bills brought back Kyle Allen to serve as their backup to Josh Allen but could use competition for third-string quarterback Shane Buechele. Nobody will mistake Pavia for Allen, but his mobility and on-the-run playmaking skills could allow him to eventually become a solid backup for the 2024 NFL MVP.
Pavia's toughness and hard-nosed playing style could make him a nice fit for the culture Dan Campbell has set in Detroit. The Lions are reportedly signing Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer as an undrafted free agent, but perhaps they will also bring in Pavia to compete for the third-string role behind Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater.
OK, look – do the Titans really need Pavia? Probably not. They also have five quarterbacks on their roster, amid reports they are signing undrafted free agent Kaidon Saitler. Still, there's something appealing about keeping Pavia in Nashville, and the Titans added another Tennessee college star – Hendon Hooker – to their quarterback room in the offseason. Perhaps they will do the same with Pavia and let him battle Hooker, Saitler and Will Levis for the third-string job behind Cam Ward and Mitchell Trubisky.
QBs drafted in 2026 NFL Draft
A total of 10 quarterbacks were chosen during the 2026 NFL Draft. Two – Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson – were first-round picks while the remaining eight were selected in the third round or later.
Below is a look at the full list of drafted quarterbacks for 2026:
