It’s hard to say the quarterback position is the most pressing concern the Philadelphia Eagles face ahead of the 2026 campaign. Still, there may be a good chance they use one of their nine picks in the upcoming draft to snag an accomplished signal-caller from up north.
According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, the New York Jets may not be the only ones heavily interested in selecting North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton. On Monday afternoon, Miller predicted the Eagles were also looking to take him with the 114th overall pick.
What Cole Payton Brings to the Eagles’ Quarterback Room
A member of the Bison throughout his entire college career, Payton made his presence known both as a backup quarterback and a starter at North Dakota State in the FCS. After redshirting his freshman year, he spent the next three years behind starter Cam Miller and was primarily used to run the ball in short-yardage situations.
In his final season, Payton was finally given the reins to NDSU’s offense and made the most of it. He racked up 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions with a 70%-plus completion rate to boot. Payton also proved a threat in the ground game, as he rushed for 777 yards and 13 additional TDs that year as well. His numbers earned him the second-highest PFSN QB Impact score in the FCS (89.7).
PFSN scouting described Payton as “a well-built prototype with elite explosive athleticism, bristling long speed, and a rocket arm that can generate high-end velocity from multiple launch points and angles.” The main downside to Payton’s game right now, however, is his lack of reps as a starter compared to other quarterbacks in his draft class.
Still, Payton’s performance at the NFL Scouting Combine turned heads. In the 40-yard dash, the quarterback logged a blistering 4.56 seconds and a 40-inch vertical jump, both of which helped contribute to an athleticism score of 80. The mark ranked 4th among all signal-callers who attended the combine.
Why Drafting Cole Payton Makes Sense for the Eagles
At first glance, Philadelphia’s selection of Payton may not make much sense. Why should it prioritize throwing a fourth quarterback onto its depth chart? After all, it’s obvious Jalen Hurts will be leading the team under center for the foreseeable future. And if he gets hurt, the Eagles will have no issue turning to either Tanner McKee or recently acquired veteran Andy Dalton to take over.
However, there are still good reasons for the Eagles to select Payton, even if they aren’t exactly one of the most quarterback-hungry teams in the NFL. In fact, Payton’s unique physical ability could make him the perfect fit in eastern Pennsylvania.
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As a team that prides itself in running the “tush push,” Philadelphia could use Payton as a runner in place of Hurts on occasion, a role Payton got to know quite well in college.
Even when he’s not on the field, Payton would also benefit from being in the presence of a Super Bowl champion in Hurts and Dalton, who is set to enter his 16th season in 2026. Working out with another fellow younger quarterback in McKee could also prove valuable for Payton as he learns the ropes of what it’s like to be not only an Eagle but also an NFL player.
