Who is Cole Payton? Meet FCS QB Eagles drafted over Garrett Nussmeier, Diego Pavia originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Howie Roseman’s philosophy of stacking NFL-caliber quarterbacks has continued this offseason.
Despite having a former Super Bowl MVP and bona fide starter in Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this offseason acquired veteran Andy Dalton from the Carolina Panthers, who slots in as a potential QB2 alongside Tanner McKee. But at the 2026 NFL Draft, Roseman struck again.
In the fifth round, the Eagles selected North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton, who isn’t just a left-handed passer — he’s one of the more dynamic athletes and rushers in the class.
Here’s what to know about Payton as he joins Hurts, Dalton, and McKee in Philadelphia’s quarterback room.
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Cole Payton is a five-year North Dakota State quarterback who got just one year as the Bison’s starter but excelled in that role last season. As a member of an FCS powerhouse — which will soon be upgraded to FBS in the Mountain West — Payton was a backup as NDSU won multiple national titles, then became an efficient two-way star in 2025.
The native of Omaha, Neb., showed prowess as both a passer and rusher, although his NFL upside has primarily come from the athleticism he showed on the ground.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 233 pounds, Payton moved onto the NFL radar last season and winds up as the No. 5 quarterback off the board in the 2026 draft.
6⃣1⃣ yards. To. The. House.Cole Payton is electric. pic.twitter.com/QqOnO3RHwX
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Payton's lone season as a college starter came in 2025, but his numbers were impressive against FCS defenses.
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Payton is a dual-threat quarterback, bringing solid size to the NFL with good touch on his throws. The pros with him mostly surround his athleticism — as a playmaker and rusher, he can bring explosiveness to an offense. The passing remains a work in progress despite good numbers at NDSU, with questionable mechanics and without a very big arm.
Payton should be able to make the simple throws in an NFL offense, but he’s not considered a quarterback who can consistently fit the ball into tight windows or fully manage an offense as a pocket passer. He’s capable of throwing on the move when he’s not running himself.
Given his strengths, many fans and analysts have thrown out the Taysom Hill comparison — the Saints’ do-it-all weapon who has a quarterback background but has also lined up at receiver and running back thanks to his athleticism. Whether the Eagles would try to get Payton reps at tight end or elsewhere is doubtful for now, but he can certainly be used in unique package plays tailored to his speed and ability to move with the ball while remaining a passing threat. The Eagles also took Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers, who has past experience as a quarterback.
Should Payton remain on the Eagles’ 2026 roster, Nick Sirianni and new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion will have a potential weapon at their disposal in the quarterback room.
Cole Payton has some of the most intriguing physical tools of any QB in the 2026 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/kz1UMS9EbU
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As things stand, the Eagles have a quarterback logjam behind Hurts, who will remain the team's starter as long as he's healthy.