2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia – Steelers Depot

From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia.
– Solid footwork and vision in the pocket to sense pressure and avoid sacks
– Good athleticism; capable of doing damage with his legs
– Plenty of arm strength to push the ball down the field
– Has nice touch on short and intermediate balls; varies velocity situationally
– Solid accuracy on the run or with off-platform throws
– Very good competitive toughness; plays hard
– Not afraid to target into tight windows
– Height could limit him in NFL
– Drops his eyes and flips into run-first mode too often when stepping up in the pocket
– Inconsistent ball placement; struggles to hit receivers in stride for maximum YAC
– Sloppy arm mechanics and throwing motion
– Most of his experience is with RPO-heavy college style offenses
– Batted passes will be an issue at the next level
– Doesn’t protect himself well as a runner; takes big hits
– Struggles to get through full progression; one-read too often
– Bad plays tend to come in bunches; streaky player
– Career: 62.2 completion rate (1,232 attempts) for 10,255 yards, 88 TDs, 27 INTs, 75 sacks; 630 rush attempts for 3,098 yards, and 31 TDs
– 2025: 70.6 completion rate (378 attempts) for 3,539 yards, 29 TDs, eight INTs, and 23 sacks; 167 rush attempts for 862 yards, and 10 TDs
– 2024: 59.4 completion rate (298 attempts) for 2,293 yards, 20 TDs, four INTs, and 18 sacks; 193 rush attempts for 800 yards, and eight TDs
– 53 games played, 50 starts; 33-17 overall record as starter
– Completion rate, pass TDs, yards per attempts (9.4) and rating (170.4) all led the SEC in 2025
– Finished second in Heisman voting behind Fernando Mendoza in 2025
– Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner in 2025
– 2025 SEC Offensive Player of the Year
– PFF: 2.9 turnover worthy play rate in 2025, 11.4 ADOT, 18 dropped passes, and 2.87 time to throw; 29 batted passes in career
– Broken nose in 2025
– Suffered hamstring tear in 2024; played through it for most of the season
– Dealt with undisclosed knee and shoulder injuries in 2024
– Hamstring injury in 2023 during season finale
– Turned 24 years old in February
– Spent two years at New Mexico Military Institute (2020-21), two years at New Mexico State (2022-23), and two years at Vanderbilt (2024-25)
– Used covid eligibility for fifth season and secured a sixth year through federal lawsuit
– Three-sport athlete in high school (baseball, wrestling, football)
– Reached state wrestling finals three times, winning 195-pound state championship during Senior season
– Credits wrestling for competitive toughness and breath control under pressure
– Zero football offers out high school, went JUCO route
– Known for unusual and possibly distasteful social media antics
– Appeared on several notable podcasts; has an edge to his personality
– Known for doing hot yoga and training hard, including late-night weight room sessions
– Team captain both years at Vanderbilt
– Helped lift a typically bad program into relevance
– Senior Bowl participant
Starting with his mechanics, Pavia’s footwork on his dropbacks is fine, but his arm motion has some inefficiencies. There is a bit of a looping motion and the ball hangs way outside his frame for a split second. Not everybody throws the same, and if it works it works, but it’s worth pointing out.
He has plenty of arm talent with enough power to push the ball down the field. His deep-ball accuracy is actually pretty good. The first play of this clip was a dime to the outside shoulder. The second clip was less accurate, but it showed his willingness to stand in the pocket and take a hit as he throws.
In general, his ball placement could be better and more consistent. It’s all over the map. High, low, too far out in front, or a bit behind. Most of his passes are catchable, but he makes it harder than it needs to be at times and limits YAC opportunities.
He may actually be more accurate on the run and off platform than he is in normal dropback scenarios.
Pavia is very pocket-aware and navigates pressure well. But it’s a bit of a mixed bag if he drops his eyes to run or keeps looking for open receivers downfield. The first two plays in this clip show what it looks like when he keeps his eyes up and latter two when he looks to run.
Part of the reason he drops his eyes is because he proved productive with his legs in college. He is a plus athlete and can make tacklers miss. He doesn’t always protect himself well though.
Pavia struggles with his decision making and vision when progressing to the second or third read. His bad plays also tend to come in bunches.
Lastly, and this is an important one, Pavia is going to have issues with batted balls at the next level. NFL linemen are bigger, longer and more aware. His height is a real limitation.
It’s hard to doubt Pavia after was he accomplished in the SEC last season. His athleticism, pocket mobility, arm strength and accuracy on the move are all impressive. His height is hard to look past. He needs to be basically perfect in most areas to overcome that, and that’s not the player he is right now. Ball placement is an issue, his play runs hot and cold, and he doesn’t get through his progression well. Mobile quarterbacks have to be able to protect themselves, which he doesn’t do well at all.
My pro comparison is a shorter Taylor Heinicke.
NFL Projection: Mid-Late Day 3
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 6.6 (Pure Backup)
Grade Range: 6.3-7.3
Games Watched: at Alabama (2025), vs Mizzou (2025), at South Carolina (2025), vs Alabama (2024)
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