{"id":859063,"date":"2026-04-07T14:20:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T14:20:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/859063\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T14:20:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T14:20:15","slug":"heisman-runner-ups-visit-to-the-panthers-sends-a-confusing-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/859063\/","title":{"rendered":"Heisman Runner-Up\u2019s Visit to the Panthers Sends a Confusing Message"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Diego\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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Diego Pavia would be an interesting project for the Carolina Panthers.<\/p>\n

The Carolina Panthers<\/a> just inked quarterback Kenny Pickett<\/a> to a one-year deal this spring to back up starter Bryce Young, but that hasn\u2019t stopped them from exploring quarterback options in the NFL Draft.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After setting up a visit with Georgia Tech\u2019s Haynes King, NFL Network\u2019s Ian Rapoport reported that the Panthers will now get one from Vanderbilt\u2019s Diego Pavia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

#Vanderbilt<\/a> QB Diego Pavia, the 2025 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, is visiting the #Panthers<\/a> today, source says. <\/p>\n

The 24-year-old helped Vandy to its first win over a top-5 team in program history. <\/p>\n

Diego Pavia Represents an Interesting, Yet Confusing, Visit for the Panthers<\/p>\n

With both Young and Pickett solidified as the No. 1 and 2 options in Carolina, seeing the Panthers take a look at multiple mid-round quarterbacks is somewhat odd. After taking a look at King, the Panthers will now bring in Pavia, who has been a very polarizing prospect after an impressive 2025 season<\/a>. After throwing for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns, Pavia finished second in the Heisman voting to likely first overall pick Fernando Mendoza.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Still, Pavia is just 5-foot-10, making several scouts question his ability to become a quality NFL quarterback. It would likely only take one hand to count how many quarterbacks under 6-feet have carved out very successful NFL careers. However, the Panthers are very familiar with this issue after selecting fellow short signal-caller Bryce Young, so Carolina may actually be an ideal landing spot for Pavia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But between his height and his off-field antics, Pavia does provide some hurdles for any NFL team looking to bring him in. The talent is there, but so are some significant questions. And with quarterback near the bottom of the list of needs, the Panthers might be better suited to use the pick on another player.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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How will the Carolina Panthers Approach the NFL Draft with Multiple Holes to Fill?<\/p>\n

Carolina has several holes on defense to fill, as well as along the offensive line. Even receiver or tight end would be greater needs than quarterback for the Panthers this season. With just seven total picks at the moment, the Panthers may need to use all of them to fill those gaps in the roster, making the quarterback visits seem superfluous.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Head coach Dave Canales offered some insight <\/a>into what Carolina may be thinking on draft night earlier this month.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like, who can impact our team at that level?\u201d Canales said at the league\u2019s Annual Meeting. \u201cIt could be a wideout. It could be a tight end. Could be a safety. There\u2019s a couple of dynamic safeties that could free us up. The pass-rush class, we\u2019ve got to still kind of see where they are at the top. Where do we think the top guys are going? Look at the mocks and all that, and see where there might be a little bit of a dropoff there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the Panthers may just be touching base with a few quarterbacks they might like to keep a relationship with down the road. Or possibly they could be exploring a long-term backup option after Pickett\u2019s deal expires. Either way, Carolina will need to have a good draft in 2026 if a return to the playoffs is in store.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Panthers\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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