Overview
- Pittsburgh confirmed a Friday workout with Cole Payton less than a day after observing his North Dakota State pro day.
- Quarterbacks coach Tom Arth and area scout Jim Ward represented the Steelers at the Fargo session.
- NDSU broadcaster Dom Izzo reported that 25 NFL teams attended the pro day, with many evaluating Payton.
- In his 2025 season as NDSU’s starter, Payton threw for 2,719 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions and ran for 777 yards with 13 scores; he clocked a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
- NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein projects Payton as a QB3, and consensus mocks place him in the mid-to-late rounds, roughly the fifth round.