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

AFC EastBillsDolphinsJetsPatriotsAFC NorthBengalsBrownsRavensSteelersAFC SouthColtsJaguarsTexansTitansAFC WestBroncosChargersChiefsRaidersNFC EastCommandersCowboysEaglesGiantsNFC NorthBearsLionsPackersVikingsNFC SouthBuccaneersFalconsPanthersSaintsNFC West49ersCardinalsRamsSeahawksScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyNFL OddsNFL PicksNFL DraftPodcastsScoop City NewsletterNFL Draft UpdatesGradesPicks TrackerBest AvailableThe BeastTop 300 Rankings2026 NFL Draft In his lone season as a full-time starter, Cole Payton threw for 2,719 yards and accounted for 29 total touchdowns. Don Juan Moore / Getty Images Share article10The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft. 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. 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.” A dynamic dual-threat prospect who will need reps and time to develop. Payton is a strong-armed lefty who, at 6-2, 232 pounds, is a dual-threat weapon who could give the Eagles some dynamism in the depth of their quarterback room. Jalen Hurts fulfills the model as the team’s franchise quarterback. Hurts has totaled 3,554 rushing yards across six seasons and compiled 63 rushing touchdowns — many originating from the team’s infamous Tush Push play. If Payton is ever called upon in the future, his rushing abilities will come in handy. He will have to refine himself as a passer. His mechanics, release and accuracy are inconsistent, and that will lead to problems in the NFL if unsolved. But that’s not unusual for a fifth-round selection. It’s arguable that the Eagles acquired value here. Dane Brugler assigned Payton a fourth-round grade in “The Beast.” — Eagles beat writer Brooks Kubena A key question is now at play. Will Payton prove that he’s NFL-ready enough for the Eagles to be comfortable trading backup Tanner McKee? The organization typically carries three capable quarterbacks on its roster during the season. Roseman traded for veteran Andy Dalton in March. At the time, a source said the move didn’t mean any imminent movement for McKee. Nor would it seem, Payton’s selection. The Eagles spent a 2025 sixth-round selection on Kyle McCord before cutting the rookie in training camp. That result is generally the expectation for Day 3 quarterbacks. The Eagles hit on McKee as a 2023 sixth-round pick. Will they hit again with Payton? — Kubena The Eagles selected Payton over other LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Arkansas’ Taylen Green, two other available quarterbacks who were projected to go in this range. The defensive back board started to dry up before the Eagles’ pick, but Kansas State VJ Payne could have been appealing if the Eagles wanted depth at a position that remains a need. If they wanted to go to the offensive line, Texas A&M tackle Dametrious Crownover and Duke interior lineman Brian Parker were both possibilities. The Eagles could also have taken Oregon tackle Isaiah World, who has a torn ACL and might require a redshirt season. Oklahoma speedster Deion Burks would have added another deep threat. LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. plays a position where the Eagles don’t have a need, but the athletic profile would intrigue them. — Eagles beat writer Zach Berman Anytime the Eagles take a quarterback, there’s intrigue. Payton was one of the best dual-threat options in the draft, which was why Brugler projected Payton for the fourth round. Payton offers tools to develop, and Roseman likes to have a “quarterback factory.” There’s an understanding that these picks have more chances to miss than hit, but if Payton can develop as McKee did for the Eagles, it offers optionality at the position. That’s why there’s motivation to draft a quarterback and develop him. If it’s like McCord and he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, you took a swing at the most important position. If Payton makes the roster as the No. 3 quarterback, the Eagles would need to trade McKee or Dalton. Part of the intrigue with this pick is what it could mean for the other quarterbacks on the roster. — Berman Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms