Cole Payton | North Dakota State | 6’3 , 232 lbs | 23 Years Old
Cole Payton was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, becoming the 7th quarterback and 178th overall player in the 2026 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
Cole Payton took a big step forward in 2025 when he finally got the keys to the offense full-time.
He finished the season completing 71.9% of his passes for 2,719 yards, with a 16-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. On top of that, he averaged 12.1 yards per attempt, which tells you he wasn’t just taking easy throws. He was pushing the ball downfield.
What really adds to his profile is what he can do with his legs. He added 777 rushing yards, which shows he’s not just mobile; he’s a real part of the run game.
This was a big jump for him, especially after being used more in a limited role earlier in his career. In 2025, he showed he can handle being the guy.
FILM
When you’re scouting a quarterback, it’s not about what happened. It’s about why it happened. And with Cole Payton, the traits are what stand out.
It starts with accuracy and ball placement. The completion percentage is strong, but more importantly, he’s putting the ball where it needs to be. He can lead receivers into space and keep the ball out of danger. He’s not forcing throws, and that shows up in the low interception numbers.
Then you get into vision and mental processing. He played in a system that asked him to actually read the field, and you can see that. He understands where to go with the ball and makes the right decision more often than not. The next step is speeding everything up, because windows are going to close faster at the next level.
Pocket awareness and functional athleticism are where he really separates himself. He’s not just a guy who can run; he knows how to use it. He can move in the pocket, avoid pressure, and reset to throw. And when he does take off, he’s tough to bring down at 232 pounds. He’s not going down on first contact.
From a mechanics standpoint, it’s about staying consistent. When his footwork, base, and timing are right, the ball comes out clean and on time. When that breaks down, the accuracy can dip a little.
He’s also got enough arm strength to make all the throws you need. He can drive the ball to the sideline and fit it into tight windows. It’s not just about distance; it’s about having enough velocity to beat defenders, and he has that.
At the end of the day, it still comes back to processing and poise. If he can continue to speed up his reads and stay consistent under pressure, he’s got a real chance to stick.
🎥 Film Breakdown
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ATHLETIC TESTING
Cole Payton checks the boxes physically. At 6’3, 232 pounds, he looks the part right away. He’s built like a quarterback who can handle contact and stay on the field.
He also ran a 4.56 in the 40, which is moving for a guy his size. That shows up on tape when he escapes the pocket and picks up yards on the ground.
The 10-inch hands stand out too. That’s important for ball control, especially in bad weather and when dealing with pressure.
Overall, the testing matches what you see. Big, strong, and athletic enough to be a problem when plays break down.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Great
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Excellent
Cole Payton was selected 178th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Draft. He is a rare athlete for a quarterback, showing off a 40-inch vertical jump and top-tier speed. While he played for a smaller school, his ability to score and lead his team effectively makes him a high-potential player to grab this late in the draft.
Payton is joining the perfect team. The Eagles already use a style of play that highlights a quarterback’s ability to run and pass, just like their star Jalen Hurts. This means Payton fits right into their existing plans. He is a powerful runner who can push for extra yards, which fits perfectly with how Philadelphia likes to play near the opponent’s goal line.
Payton is one of the most athletic quarterbacks to enter the league in years. He is a left-handed player who is very tough to tackle and performed great under pressure in college. While he will likely start as a backup, his speed gives the coaches creative ways to use him on the field right away. I believe the Eagles’ landing spot is excellent for Payton.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
For fantasy football purposes, Cole Payton is currently a deep-league flier or a “taxi squad” candidate for dynasty managers. He is not someone you expect to start for your team right away, but his rare physical talent makes him a player worth keeping an eye on.
What makes him special for fantasy is his ability to score points with his legs. Since he is a powerful and fast runner, he can rack up points quickly if he gets on the field, especially near the goal line. He is joining a Philadelphia Eagles team that already knows exactly how to use a quarterback with his specific skills.
You can think of him as a developmental project with a massive payoff. While he needs to work on his passing consistency, his elite athleticism gives him a much higher ceiling than most quarterbacks taken this late in the draft. He is a great choice for a final bench spot where you can let him grow and see if he eventually turns into a star.
CONCLUSION
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