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.<\/p>\n
No. 2 Diego Pavia\/QB Vanderbilt \u2013 5097, 198 pounds (Senior \u2013 6th year)
\nMEASUREMENTS<\/p>\n
Player
\nHt\/Wt
\nHand Size
\nArm Length
\nWingspan<\/p>\n
Diego Pavia
\n5097\/198
\nN\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A<\/p>\n
40-Yard Dash
\n10-Yard Dash
\nShort Shuttle
\n3-Cone<\/p>\n
N\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A<\/p>\n
Broad Jump
\nVertical
\nBench Press<\/p>\n
N\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A<\/p>\n
The Good<\/p>\n
\u2013 Solid footwork and vision in the pocket to sense pressure and avoid sacks
\u2013 Good athleticism; capable of doing damage with his legs
\u2013 Plenty of arm strength to push the ball down the field
\u2013 Has nice touch on short and intermediate balls; varies velocity situationally
\u2013 Solid accuracy on the run or with off-platform throws
\u2013 Very good competitive toughness; plays hard
\u2013 Not afraid to target into tight windows<\/p>\n
The Bad<\/p>\n
\u2013 Height could limit him in NFL
\u2013 Drops his eyes and flips into run-first mode too often when stepping up in the pocket
\u2013 Inconsistent ball placement; struggles to hit receivers in stride for maximum YAC
\u2013 Sloppy arm mechanics and throwing motion
\u2013 Most of his experience is with RPO-heavy college style offenses
\u2013 Batted passes will be an issue at the next level
\u2013 Doesn\u2019t protect himself well as a runner; takes big hits
\u2013 Struggles to get through full progression; one-read too often
\u2013 Bad plays tend to come in bunches; streaky player<\/p>\n
Stats<\/p>\n
\u2013 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
\u2013 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
\u2013 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
\u2013 53 games played, 50 starts; 33-17 overall record as starter
\u2013 Completion rate, pass TDs, yards per attempts (9.4) and rating (170.4) all led the SEC in 2025
\u2013 Finished second in Heisman voting behind Fernando Mendoza in 2025
\u2013 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner in 2025
\u2013 2025 SEC Offensive Player of the Year
\u2013 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<\/p>\n
Injury History<\/p>\n
\u2013 Broken nose in 2025 Bio<\/p>\n \u2013 Turned 24 years old in February Tape Breakdown<\/p>\n Starting with his mechanics, Pavia\u2019s 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\u2019s worth pointing out.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n In general, his ball placement could be better and more consistent. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n He may actually be more accurate on the run and off platform than he is in normal dropback scenarios.<\/p>\n Pavia is very pocket-aware and navigates pressure well. But it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t always protect himself well though.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Conclusion<\/p>\n It\u2019s 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\u2019s not the player he is right now. Ball placement is an issue, his play runs hot and cold, and he doesn\u2019t get through his progression well. Mobile quarterbacks have to be able to protect themselves, which he doesn\u2019t do well at all.<\/p>\n My pro comparison is a shorter Taylor Heinicke.<\/p>\n NFL Projection: Mid-Late Day 3
\u2013 Suffered hamstring tear in 2024<\/a>; played through it for most of the season
\u2013 Dealt with undisclosed knee and shoulder injuries<\/a> in 2024
\u2013 Hamstring injury in 2023 during season finale<\/p>\n
\u2013 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)
\u2013 Used covid eligibility for fifth season and secured a sixth year through federal lawsuit
\u2013 Three-sport athlete in high school (baseball, wrestling, football)
\u2013 Reached state wrestling finals three times, winning 195-pound state championship during Senior season
\u2013 Credits wrestling for competitive toughness and breath control under pressure
\u2013 Zero football offers out high school, went JUCO route
\u2013 Known for unusual and possibly distasteful<\/a> social media antics
\u2013 Appeared on several notable podcasts; has an edge to his personality
\u2013 Known for doing hot yoga and training hard, including late-night weight room sessions<\/a>
\u2013 Team captain both years at Vanderbilt
\u2013 Helped lift a typically bad program into relevance
\u2013 Senior Bowl participant<\/p>\n
Steelers Depot Draft Grade:<\/a> 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)<\/p>\n