Ravens Give Undrafted Heisman Finalist Diego Pavia a Chance at NFL Camp

The Baltimore Ravens have extended a minicamp invitation to former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia following one of the most unexpected outcomes of the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite entering the draft as a Heisman Trophy finalist, Pavia went unselected through all seven rounds.

His omission marked a rare moment in modern draft history, as he became the first Heisman finalist in more than a decade to go undrafted. The development shocked analysts and fans alike, especially given his production and prominence in college football.

Pavia had entered draft weekend with confidence, even hosting a pre-draft gathering that featured hats from all 32 NFL franchises, signaling optimism that he would hear his name called.

Instead, the former Vanderbilt standout now begins his professional journey as an undrafted free agent, with Baltimore providing his first opportunity to compete for a roster spot.

1. Draft Slide Raises Questions

Pavia’s fall out of the draft was one of the most discussed storylines of the weekend. Analysts and insiders noted that while he impressed teams with his competitiveness and football IQ, concerns about his projection at the next level played a significant role in his outcome. According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, teams appreciated Pavia’s ability to process the game and engage in detailed football discussions. However, those strengths were not enough to outweigh concerns about his fit within a traditional quarterback depth chart. One of the key issues raised by evaluators was his role at the professional level. Teams selecting late-round quarterbacks often prefer players who can step into backup roles, and Pavia was not widely projected to immediately compete for QB2 duties. As a result, his status fluctuated between late-round consideration and priority undrafted free agent, ultimately landing in the latter category when no team selected him.

2. Physical Profile And Perception Concerns

Beyond schematic fit, Pavia’s physical attributes also influenced evaluations. Standing under six feet tall, he does not match the prototypical size NFL teams typically prefer at the quarterback position. Scouts also expressed concerns about durability, particularly given his playing style. As a dual-threat quarterback who frequently operates outside the pocket, questions arose about how his frame would hold up against larger, faster NFL defenders. Those concerns have historically impacted similar prospects, especially quarterbacks who rely heavily on mobility and improvisation. For Pavia, those traits were both a strength in college and a point of hesitation for evaluators projecting him to the professional level. Despite those reservations, his production and leadership at Vanderbilt kept him in the conversation throughout the pre-draft process, even if not enough to secure a selection.

3. New Opportunity In Baltimore

Pavia now gets a chance to prove himself with the Baltimore Ravens, a franchise known for utilizing athletic quarterbacks within dynamic offensive schemes. The invitation to rookie minicamp scheduled for early May represents his first step toward earning a roster spot. The situation presents a potential stylistic fit, as Baltimore already features a prominent dual-threat quarterback in Lamar Jackson. While Pavia is not expected to compete for a starting role, his skill set could be evaluated within a system that values mobility and playmaking ability. Still, the path ahead is steep. As an undrafted player, Pavia will need to outperform drafted rookies and veteran backups to secure a place on the roster beyond minicamp. His opportunity in Baltimore will largely depend on how quickly he adapts to the speed and complexity of the NFL game, as well as his ability to address concerns that led to his draft-day slide.