The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Cole Payton, a dynamic quarterback from North Dakota State, in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He joins a quarterback room that includes Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, and Tanner McKee.
Key points
Cole Payton was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round.
He played quarterback at North Dakota State.
Payton is known for his dynamic athleticism and rushing skills.
He joins Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, and Tanner McKee in the Eagles' QB room.
North Dakota StatePhiladelphia EaglesCole PaytonJalen Hurts
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.
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.
Q&A
Who is Cole Payton and what are his strengths as a quarterback?
Cole Payton is a left-handed quarterback from North Dakota State known for his dynamic athleticism and rushing ability.
Why did the Eagles choose Cole Payton over Garrett Nussmeier and Diego Pavia?
The Eagles selected Cole Payton for his unique skill set and potential as a dynamic athlete, fitting their strategy of acquiring NFL-caliber quarterbacks.
What is the current quarterback lineup for the Philadelphia Eagles?
The Eagles' current quarterback lineup includes Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, Tanner McKee, and now Cole Payton.
What round was Cole Payton drafted in during the 2026 NFL Draft?
Cole Payton was drafted in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
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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.
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.
As things stand, the Eagles have a quarterback logjam behind Hurts, who will remain the team's starter as long as he's healthy.
Philadelphia traded a 2027 seventh-round pick for Dalton, which isn't elite draft compensation, but also signals that Roseman and Sirianni see value him the former Bengals star being a backup behind Hurts.
However, the Eagles have long praised McKee, a homegrown quarterback who has developed into the QB2 role and flashed arm talent previously. Trade rumors have followed McKee, who could get an NFL starting opportunity at some point, but the Eagles have still held onto him until this point.
Payton, one way or another, is unlikely to become the direct backup to Hurts anytime soon. It's also no guarantee he remains with the Eagles — the team drafted Kyle McCord in the sixth round last year, then waived him ahead of the regular season.
Some kind of subtraction from the Eagles' quarterback room appears likely before Week 1 of the 2026 season, but they have added an interesting mix of talent behind Hurts.
