Quarterback discourse this time of year tends to orbit around the obvious name. In the 2026 class, that has meant months of conversation centered on Fernando Mendoza and little separation elsewhere. Around the league, though, another passer is starting to make a case to be the second quarterback selected.
Why Cole Payton Is Emerging as the Clear No. 2 QB Behind Fernando Mendoza
North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton is no longer just a late-round projection or developmental flier.
According to NFL insider Jason La Canfora, multiple personnel executives now view Payton as the clear No. 2 signal-caller in the class, with high second-round grades and a belief he could ultimately climb into the back end of Round 1.
One longtime NFL executive told La Canfora that the gap between Mendoza and Payton is narrower than most assume.
“But I don’t think this kid from North Dakota State is that far behind him. I really don’t,” the executive said. “Two or three years from now, I think he can be there with (Mendoza). We think he’s gone early two. And somebody probably takes a shot on him at the end of day one. This kid can play.”
Payton’s résumé looks different than Mendoza’s. He was a one-year starter at the FCS level and does not bring the multi-year production typically associated with top quarterback prospects. What he does bring is size, athleticism, and a late-blooming breakout.
As PFSN’s Ryan Guthrie detailed, Payton finally took over as the full-time starter in his redshirt senior season and delivered one of the most efficient quarterback campaigns in NDSU history.
He completed 71.9 percent of his passes for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions, averaging 12.1 yards per attempt with a 193.8 passer efficiency rating. On the ground, he added 777 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, finishing with the second-highest PFSN CFB QB Impact metric in the FCS at 89.7.
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Payton fits the prototype from a build standpoint.
His background as a red-zone weapon and situational runner earlier in his career underscores the athletic profile that evaluators value. That dual-threat foundation traces back to his high school days in Nebraska, where he threw for more than 5,300 yards and rushed for over 2,100 more.
Another evaluator told La Canfora that Payton’s decision-making and overall projection stand out in a thin class.
“He’s QB2 for me,” the scout said. “The more I watch the more I like. I like his decision making. I see above average arm strength and accuracy. He has the body. He can run some. Second round, but you know what that means.”
If teams truly believe Payton is the second-best quarterback available, the temptation to secure the fifth-year option attached to a first-round pick becomes part of the calculus.
Mendoza remains the projected No. 1 overall selection. But behind him, Payton’s rise from off-the-grid prospect to clear QB2 is no longer just buzz. It is becoming a legitimate draft storyline.
