NFL evaluators are always hunting for upside in the quarterback class, and the most intriguing developmental prospect comes from the FCS ranks. Draft analyst Todd McShay just stamped a Day 2 grade on North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton, who ranks as the No. 5 QB on the PFSN Big Board. McShay views the 6-foot-3, 232-pound dual-threat passer as the biggest sleeper on the board.
Cole Payton’s Rare Athleticism Stands Out
NFL evaluators look for unique physical traits, and Payton checks every athletic box. He lit up the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.56-second 40-yard dash and a 40-inch vertical jump. Those numbers jump off the page for a quarterback carrying 232 pounds, and they translate directly to his tape, where he frequently breaks tackles.
“Cole Payton is the most underrated prospect in the entire draft. I think he’s a Day 2 pick and he’s going to surprise some people coming out of North Dakota State,” McShay said.
The production backs up the praise. Payton finished his collegiate career with 52 total touchdowns, combining 31 rushing scores with 21 passing strikes. During his lone season as the full-time starter in 2025, he threw for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns.
North Dakota State has a proven track record of sending quarterbacks to the pros. Former Bison quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Trey Lance both parlayed their time in Fargo into early draft selections. Payton doesn’t have their passing volume, but their lower-body explosion gives them a massive ceiling.
Payton’s 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report
According to PFSN’s Scouting Report, “Cole Payton redshirted his first year at NDSU, and from 2022 through 2024, he was the backup to Cam Miller. He was most often used as a designated runner, but finally got his shot as a full-time starter in 2025.
In his last season of eligibility, Payton passed for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions on over 70% completion, while also running for 717 yards and 13 additional TDs.
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“Additionally, he ended the year with the second-highest PFSN QB Impact score in the FCS (89.7). The crux of Payton’s appeal as a prospect is his physical talent. At 6’3”, 233 pounds, he’s 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.
“But as a one-year starter, he’s sorely lacking in-game reps, and his processing runs on the slow side as a result. Payton shouldn’t be thrown into the fire right away as a field general, and is a developmental QB first, who could be utilized in certain Taysom Hill-esque packages early on. If he enters the right situation and has time to acclimate before getting needed reps, starting upside is present.”
