Philadelphia Eagles select NDSU QB Cole Payton with No. 178 pick in 2026 NFL Draft

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The Philadelphia Eagles selected North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton with the 178th pick.

Just a one-year starter at North Dakota State, Payton is a bit reminiscent of longtime Saints’ TE/QB Taysom Hill at 6-2, 232. A terrific athlete, Payton rushed for 1,840 yards and 31 touchdowns during his five years in college — more than 1,000 of them coming prior to his starting season of 2025.

A southpaw with a bit of a wonky throwing operation, Payton plays with above-average arm strength and good touch on deep throws. He was very efficient throwing off the run last season and was a threat to run on nearly every snap. He threw for 2,719 yards (72 percent), 16 touchdowns and four interceptions last year at NDSU.

As an athlete, Payton will be capable of helping an NFL offense via a utility role immediately. The question is whether or not he’ll ever be more than a gimmick player who can also double as a career backup.

‘The Beast’ breakdown

Payton ranked 126 QB in Dane Brugler’s top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:

“Going into the 2025 season, NFL teams saw Payton as an intriguing potential tight end convert, because of his size, athleticism and toughness. But that changed throughout the 2025 season. As a passer, he has a strong left arm, with the stature and aggressive mindset to attack every level of the field. His mechanics, release and accuracy are highly varied, and he doesn’t always trust his anticipation, which reflects his lack of experience. However, his mobility and run strength are separating factors (29 carries of 10-plus yards in 2025).

“Payton is green and will require patience, but he’s a dynamic dual-threat quarterback. His physical tools and competitive makeup are promising qualities for a developmental prospect.”

Come back later for more analysis of Payton.