Upcoming 30 visit with controversial draft prospect shows the Panthers are fine ignoring the same obvious red flag with a Heisman finalist
The Carolina Panthers are slated to host a 30 visit with another quarterback prospect and one that has turned himself into quite the controversial player ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Carolina Panthers are set to do a lot of homework on the quarterback position this week ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft as the team lays out the long-term plan for the backup position behind starting quarterback Bryce Young.
On Monday, Ian Rapoport reported that the Panthers were set to host a visit this week with Georgia Tech’s dual-threat quarterback Haynes King. That’s not the only quarterback prospect coming to Charlotte this week.
Rapoport added that Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is expected to meet with the team as well on Tuesday as the list of potential QB prospects continues to grow. The interest in Pavia raises eyebrows but the Panthers have proved they care little about one of his biggest flaws.
Panthers are smart to get an in-person visit with Diego Pavia amid all his red flags
Top-30 visits aren’t always an indicator of who teams draft. Most teams use these visits to bring a player in the building and help clear up some potential red flags they had during the scouting process. With a player like Pavia, there’s plenty of red flags to go over.
The first red flag is Pavia’s height. At the NFL Combine, Pavia was listed at 5-10, which is pretty short compared to NFL quarterback standards. However, that’s the same height as the Panthers current quarterback, Bryce Young, and that measurable didn’t prove to be a factor when the team drafted him first overall. Young also was a high-character prospect and the tools needed to become an NFL starter.
On the field, Pavia has a solid makeup that should interest NFL teams but isn’t elite. He is as tough as they come and proved he can elevate a team during the 2025 season. He also fits the dual-threat style the Panthers are looking for at the QB2 spot behind Young. That competitiveness and football IQ alone should appeal to certain coaches at the next level.
Off the field, Pavia has some maturity question marks and a “cocky” demeanor to answer about as well. Teams are weary about drafting the second-coming of Johnny Manziel. Some coaches, however, love that kind of spirit in their players. That’s what makes an in person visit so critical for teams looking at him as a potential option.
Ignoring the height-aspect, the tape does speak for itself watching Pavia’s game. The kid is a baller and a really really fun player to watch and was a Heisman finalist for a reason. He’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea and frankly he doesn’t care.
The Panthers are leaving no stone left unturned when evaluating the potential backup QB options in the 2026 NFL Draft. If one sticks out, the Panthers will pull the trigger and Pavia has a case to be an option if he can win over the staff in this meeting.
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