Cole Payton
23-Year-Old
2025 Pass/Rush Stats
YDS
0
TD
0
INT
0
YDS
0
TD
0
2026 Projections
Signed a four-year contract with the Eagles in May of 2026.
Punches ticket for Philly
The Eagles selected Payton in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 178th overall.
ANALYSIS
Payton finally took over the starting job at North Dakota State in his fifth season and looked excellent, completing 72 percent of passes for 2,719 yards (12.1 YPA), 16 touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing 136 times for 777 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has a strong arm that still needs some tuning with its accuracy, but his legs are phenomenal. Payton had six carries of 30-plus yards in 2025 before running a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3, 232 pounds at the NFL Combine. His tools are rare, but his lack of experience is a concern and can easily remind us of former NDSU quarterback Trey Lance. However, Payton is less risky as a fifth-round pick (Lance went third overall), meaning the Eagles can take their time with his development while Jalen Hurts remains the starter. The Eagles also have quarterbacks Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton on the roster, and one of those two will need to get cut for Payton to make the 53-man roster.
Payton finally took over the starting job at North Dakota State in his fifth season and looked excellent, completing 72 percent of passes for 2,719 yards (12.1 YPA), 16 touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing 136 times for 777 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has a strong arm that still needs some tuning with its accuracy, but his legs are phenomenal. Payton had six carries of 30-plus yards in 2025 before running a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3, 232 pounds at the NFL Combine. His tools are rare, but his lack of experience is a concern and can easily remind us of former NDSU quarterback Trey Lance. However, Payton is less risky as a fifth-round pick (Lance went third overall), meaning the Eagles can take their time with his development while Jalen Hurts remains the starter. The Eagles also have quarterbacks Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton on the roster, and one of those two will need to get cut for Payton to make the 53-man roster.
NFL Stats
Loading NFL Stats...
Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
Loading Fantasy/Red Zone Stats...
Advanced NFL Stats
Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Eagles 2025 QB Snap DistributionLoading Weekly Snap Counts...
2025 Cole Payton Split Stats
Loading NFL Split Stats...
Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Cole Payton's measurables compare to other quarterbacks?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 3"Weight
232 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.56 secShuttle Time
4.36 secCone Drill
7.12 secVertical Jump
40.0 inBroad Jump
130 inBench Press
0 repsHand Length
10.25 inArm Length
31.63 in
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Extensive meetings with teams
Payton has met "extensively" with the Eagles, Cardinals and Jets ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
ANALYSIS
Payton also met with the Steelers and Colts and is getting plenty of interest from teams looking for a potential franchise quarterback late in the upcoming draft. The North Dakota State product is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he completed 71.9 percent of his passes for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing for 777 yards and one score on 136 carries. Dan Brugler of The Athletic ranks Payton as the No. 5 quarterback in the draft, profiling the 23-year-old as a dynamic dual-threat QB who has the physical tools and competitiveness to make him a promising developmental prospect.
Payton also met with the Steelers and Colts and is getting plenty of interest from teams looking for a potential franchise quarterback late in the upcoming draft. The North Dakota State product is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he completed 71.9 percent of his passes for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing for 777 yards and one score on 136 carries. Dan Brugler of The Athletic ranks Payton as the No. 5 quarterback in the draft, profiling the 23-year-old as a dynamic dual-threat QB who has the physical tools and competitiveness to make him a promising developmental prospect.