Here’s the latest I have on Cole Payton and the 2026 NFL Draft:
- Cole Payton was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 6th round, 178th overall, in the 2026 NFL Draft. This marks him as another North Dakota State quarterback to reach the NFL, joining a lineage that includes notable picks from the program [source context: recent draft coverage].
- He entered the league as a developmental prospect behind Jalen Hurts, with veteran backup options in the mix, and rumors/analysis suggesting the Eagles might use him as a long-term developmental asset rather than an immediate starter [source context: draft coverage and team commentary].
- Payton posted a strong final college season as a dual-threat quarterback, throwing for over 2,700 yards with 16 touchdowns and rushing for substantial yardage, while setting several school records in his lone starting year; evaluators note his athletic upside but caution that his limited starting experience could slow immediate impact [source context: scouting reports and draft profiles].
If you’d like, I can pull the exact articles and provide direct quotes or build a brief, sourced summary with inline citations. I can also track any post-draft developments, such as camp reports or roster moves, and update you.