Overview
- Pittsburgh hosted Cole Payton and Miami’s Carson Beck for pre-draft visits this week, per multiple reports including ESPN.
- The Steelers sent quarterbacks coach Tom Arth and area scout Jim Ward to North Dakota State’s pro day, which drew roughly 25 NFL teams.
- Payton said after his pro day that he was headed to Pittsburgh for a workout following an elite Combine showing that included a 4.56-second 40-yard dash.
- In his first full season as NDSU’s starter in 2025, Payton posted 2,719 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions, plus 777 rushing yards and 13 scores for a 12–1 team.
- Scouting reports, including NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, project Payton as a dual-threat QB3 and a mid-to-late-round pick, while the Steelers continue to assess options without a clear long-term starter.