Despite being the Heisman Trophy runner-up, Diego Pavia was not picked by any team in the 2026 NFL Draft. The former Vanderbilt quarterback signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on a three-year deal with no guaranteed money. He joined a crowded room behind two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and veteran backup Tyler Huntley.
Now, after Baltimore added former Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson on a one-year deal, the competition for the No. 3 spot has tightened, and Pavia’s path to a roster spot is no longer a two-man race, with Joe Fagnano also in the mix.
What Skylar Thompson’s Signing Means for Diego Pavia and the Ravens’ QB Room
Ravens insider, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, reported that Thompson’s arrival doesn’t necessarily signal the Ravens are ready to move on from Pavia, but it does complicate his chances of making the 53-man roster.
“The Ravens are set at the top of their quarterback depth chart with veteran Tyler Huntley serving as the primary backup to Lamar Jackson,” Zrebiac wrote. “Ravens first-year head coach Jesse Minter acknowledged Saturday that the rest of the team’s quarterback picture is in “flux.”
“The addition of Thompson doesn’t necessarily mean the Ravens will move on quickly from Fagnano or Pavia, the polarizing Heisman Trophy finalist from Vanderbilt,” he added. “However, carrying five quarterbacks on the roster is probably not in the team’s long-term plans.”
Thompson brings four years of NFL experience, including 10 games and three starts for the Dolphins in 2022 and 2024. He spent the entire 2025 season on Pittsburgh’s injured reserve with a hamstring injury, but his familiarity with the NFL gives him an advantage over both undrafted rookies.
Pavia can still get the QB3 role if he lets his play do the talking and avoids the kind of off-field noise that cratered his draft stock. His profane reaction to finishing second in the Heisman voting raised maturity concerns among front offices, and there were questions about how a popular player like him, with a strong personality, would fit into a backup role.
His college production, though, is difficult to ignore. Last year, in 13 games, Pavia threw for 3,539 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions at Vanderbilt, while completing 70.6% of his throws. He also added 862 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
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According to PFSN’s CFB QB Impact Metric, last year he posted an impact score of 94.9, ranking him best in the nation. Moreover, his dual-threat skill set fits Baltimore’s offensive identity better than perhaps any other team in the league.
If Pavia can’t earn a spot in Baltimore, other teams could come calling. Any franchise that values mobile quarterbacking would benefit from a developmental arm with his college resume.
