Every year, hundreds of college quarterbacks dream of hearing their name called at the NFL Draft. But the path from college stardom to the professional ranks is far more complex than many fans realize. The journey of Diego Pavia — a Heisman Trophy finalist who went undrafted before signing with the Baltimore Ravens — offers a revealing case study in how NFL teams evaluate quarterbacks and what the draft process really looks like for players at the most scrutinized position in sports.
How the NFL Draft Process Works for Quarterbacks
The NFL Draft process for quarterbacks begins long before draft day. Scouts start evaluating players years in advance, building comprehensive dossiers that cover everything from on-field mechanics to off-field character. The evaluation cycle intensifies during a prospect's final college season, with scouts attending games, reviewing film, and compiling detailed reports.
For Diego Pavia, that evaluation started in earnest during his 2023 season at New Mexico State, where he was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year. But it was his 2025 campaign at Vanderbilt that put him on the national radar. Pavia threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns while adding 862 rushing yards, earning SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors and a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist, where he finished second in the voting.
The pre-draft process typically includes several key stages: the NFL Scouting Combine, pro days at college campuses, private workouts with individual teams, and extensive background checks. Teams interview prospects, review medical histories, and conduct psychological evaluations. For quarterbacks especially, the interview process is critical — teams want to assess football IQ, leadership ability, and how a player handles pressure.
What NFL Scouts Look For in Quarterbacks
NFL scouts evaluate quarterbacks across multiple categories, and the criteria can be unforgiving. The primary traits include arm strength, accuracy, decision-making, pocket presence, mobility, leadership, and measurables like height and hand size. According to scouting experts, the evaluation is broken down into roughly seven key areas.
Accuracy is often considered the most important trait — can the quarterback consistently put the ball where only his receiver can catch it? Arm strength matters for making throws to the sideline and deep downfield. Vision and reading defenses are critical for processing information quickly. Pocket presence — the ability to feel pressure and navigate the pocket — separates NFL quarterbacks from college talents. Mechanics, including footwork and release quickness, are heavily scrutinized. Leadership and poise under pressure round out the evaluation.
Pavia's case illustrates how these factors can work against even the most productive college quarterbacks. Despite accounting for 71.4% of Vanderbilt's total yards and 67% of its offensive plays in 2025 — a higher percentage than any other Heisman finalist — Pavia faced significant skepticism from NFL teams.
Timeline: How the 2026 Draft Unfolded for Diego Pavia
The 2026 NFL Draft weekend was a rollercoaster for Pavia. Despite being named a first-team All-American, winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and being named The Sporting News College Football Player of the Year, his name never came off the draft board.
December 2025: Pavia finishes as runner-up for the Heisman Trophy after a historic season at Vanderbilt, leading the Commodores to a 10-3 record and nearly making the College Football Playoff.
January-March 2026: Pavia undergoes the pre-draft process, participating in the Senior Bowl and meeting with multiple NFL teams. His measurements — 5'10" and 207 pounds — become a recurring topic of discussion among scouts.
April 26, 2026: The 2026 NFL Draft concludes with Pavia undrafted — making him the first Heisman finalist to go unselected since Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch in 2014. Deion Sanders posts a supportive message on social media: "I BELIEVE IN YOU MY MAN! Stay strong and don't let up. Show them what time it is and never allow them to forget."
April 27-28, 2026: Pavia receives an invitation to Baltimore Ravens rookie minicamp. The Ravens quickly upgrade his status, signing him to a three-year undrafted free agent contract rather than just bringing him in for a tryout.
Why Diego Pavia Went Undrafted: Expert Analysis
Sportscaster Dan Patrick offered a candid analysis of why Pavia went undrafted despite his staggering college production. "The message from the NFL was really clear — if you're not a can't-miss prospect, professionalism is not just valued, it's required," Patrick said on his show.
Several factors worked against Pavia. His height (5'10") is below the NFL average for quarterbacks, and at 24 years old, he's older than many incoming rookies. But perhaps most significantly, teams questioned whether his outgoing personality would fit the backup quarterback role. "You can have personality at other positions. You can be absorbed, you can be embraced, but not at backup quarterback because quarterback is evaluated differently," Patrick explained.
NFL teams typically prefer backup quarterbacks who are steady, low-maintenance presences — players who can prepare weekly without becoming a distraction. Pavia's friendship with Johnny Manziel, his competitive on-field demeanor, and his larger-than-life personality reportedly gave some teams pause. CBS Sports had ranked Pavia as the No. 377 overall prospect and No. 18 quarterback in the class.
The financial reality of going undrafted is stark. Undrafted free agent contracts are typically three-year deals worth approximately $3.1 million total — but with very little guaranteed money. According to sports business reports, Pavia's deal likely includes less than $300,000 in guaranteed money, a significant drop from even a late-round draft pick's guaranteed salary.
Where Things Stand Now: Pavia Signs With the Ravens
Despite the disappointment of draft weekend, Pavia landed in Baltimore with a legitimate opportunity. The Ravens, led by general manager Eric DeCosta, have a history of developing quarterbacks and providing competition for roster spots. DeCosta specifically praised Pavia's "grit" and his competitive fire.
Pavia joins a quarterback room that includes two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and fellow undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano. The Ravens' decision to sign Pavia to a contract — rather than just a tryout — signals genuine interest in developing him as a project. "The Ravens are signing Vanderbilt UDFA QB Diego Pavia to a 3-year deal," reported Adam Schefter, confirming the move that gave Pavia his NFL foothold.
What Happens Next: The UDFA Path to the NFL
The undrafted free agent path is difficult but not unprecedented. Notable quarterbacks who went undrafted include Warren Moon (a Hall of Famer), Tony Romo (a four-time Pro Bowler), and Kurt Warner (a two-time MVP and Super Bowl champion). More recently, Brock Purdy — the last pick in the 2022 draft, "Mr. Irrelevant" — became a Super Bowl starter.
For Pavia, the immediate goal is to make the Ravens' roster through training camp. As a UDFA, he'll need to impress coaches in OTAs, minicamp, and preseason games. His athleticism and dual-threat capability could make him an intriguing developmental option behind Jackson. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken has a history of designing creative schemes that leverage quarterback mobility.
Deion Sanders, who knows firsthand about the unpredictability of the draft process, offered simple advice that applies to Pavia's journey: "Stay strong and don't let up. Show them what time it is and never allow them to forget."
The Bottom Line: Key Takeaways
- The NFL Draft process for quarterbacks involves years of scouting, including the Combine, pro days, private workouts, and extensive background checks
- Scouts evaluate quarterbacks on accuracy, arm strength, decision-making, pocket presence, mechanics, leadership, and physical measurables
- Diego Pavia's undrafted status despite elite college production shows that NFL teams prioritize measurables and personality fit for backup quarterbacks
- Height concerns (5'10") and questions about temperament can override dominant on-field performance in the NFL's evaluation
- The undrafted free agent path is challenging but has produced Hall of Fame quarterbacks and Super Bowl starters
- Pavia's three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens gives him a legitimate opportunity to compete for a roster spot in training camp
