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Eagles Draft NDSU Quarterback Cole Payton at No. 178

The pick adds a high-upside runner to a deep quarterback room.

Aug 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley (20) tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton (9) in the first half at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Quarterback Cole Payton #9 of North Dakota State from the National Team warms up prior to the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 31, 2026 in Mobile, Alabama. The American Team defeated the National Team 17 to 9. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton (QB15) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Cole Payton, whom Philadelphia drafted Saturday with the 178th pick, enters the NFL as a one-year FCS starter viewed as a long-term project.
  • He joins a depth chart led by Jalen Hurts with Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee in the backup mix, which points to a utility or QB3 role to start.
  • The left-handed dual threat measured about 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds and clocked a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine.
  • In 2025 he passed for 2,719 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions and added 777 rushing yards and 13 scores in his lone full season as NDSU’s starter.
  • Evaluators have floated Taysom Hill-style packages for him and noted the Eagles’ history with NDSU passers like Carson Wentz as part of their quarterback development mindset.