Eagles Select Cole Payton in Fifth Round of 2026 NFL Draft

The Philadelphia Eagles added depth to their quarterback room on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting North Dakota State signal-caller Cole Payton with the 178th overall pick. The choice continues Philadelphia’s recent trend of drafting quarterbacks from the FCS powerhouse program, echoing their selection of Carson Wentz with the second overall pick a decade earlier.

Payton, a 6-foot-2, 232-pound left-handed quarterback, spent five seasons with the North Dakota State Bison, starting his final year in 2025. During that season, he threw for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns while also contributing 777 rushing yards and 13 scores on the ground, showcasing the dual-threat ability that intrigued Philadelphia’s coaching staff.

The selection marks Payton as the sixth quarterback taken in the 2026 NFL Draft class, following Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson in the first round, Carson Beck in the third round, and Cade Klubnik in the fourth round. Philadelphia used a compensatory pick in the fifth round to secure his services, joining him in a quarterback room that already includes Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Andy Dalton.

Payton’s College Career and Accolades

Throughout his time at North Dakota State, Payton earned recognition as an Honorable Mention All-American and was named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which is given to the top offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision. His leadership helped guide the Bison to a 12-1 record in 2025 and secured the top seed in the FCS playoffs.

Payton’s athleticism stood out to evaluators, with Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni noting the quarterback’s ability to make plays with his legs. “Really good with the ball in his hands in the quarterback run game. Made great decisions with the football, accurate passer,” Sirianni said. “But there’s some wild plays on his tape that are really impressive. I mean, I think I charted, like, four times he jumped over somebody or wrote down a bunch of times he’s the best athlete on the field.”

Eagles’ History with North Dakota State Quarterbacks

The selection of Payton represents a continuation of Philadelphia’s recent drafting history with North Dakota State quarterbacks. Ten years after selecting Carson Wentz with the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Eagles returned to the FCS program for another signal-caller.

Howie Roseman, the Eagles’ executive vice president and general manager, has shown a pattern of selecting developmental quarterbacks in later rounds throughout his tenure. Previous examples include Mike Kafka (fourth round, 2010), Matt Barkley (fourth round, 2013), Clayton Thorson (fifth round, 2019), Tanner McKee (sixth round, 2023), and Kyle McCord (sixth round, 2025).

Player Reaction and Outlook

Following his selection, Payton expressed excitement about joining the Eagles organization and learning from the established quarterbacks already on the roster. “I’m just so excited to get to Philly and learn from a great room of quarterbacks and some great offensive minds and a great coaching staff that I’m excited to get to recognize better and just learn and grow,” Payton said. “I think with my hard work and ability to want to improve every single day, I think it’ll work itself out.”

Payton also reflected on the journey that led him to this moment, citing the self-confidence required to play at the professional level. “Playing this position, you need almost a delusional self confidence, and if you don’t have that, then it’s going to be tough,” he noted in a pre-draft interview. “A lot of the decisions I’ve made in my life have led me to this moment.”

Implications for Philadelphia’s Quarterback Room

With Payton’s addition, the Eagles now have four quarterbacks on their roster: incumbent starter Jalen Hurts, backup Tanner McKee, veteran Andy Dalton, and the newly drafted Payton. The selection suggests Philadelphia is planning for the future while maintaining stability at the position.

Payton joins a quarterback group that has already seen significant investment, with Hurts having signed a lucrative contract extension in recent seasons and McKee representing the team’s most recent developmental pick before Payton. Dalton’s presence provides veteran leadership and short-term stability should the Eagles need it.

Draft Context and Team Strategy

The Eagles’ 2026 NFL Draft began with a trade up to select wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick, acquired from the Dallas Cowboys. Payton’s selection on Day 3 represents a shift toward addressing developmental needs after Philadelphia used its early capital on an offensive weapon.

This approach aligns with Roseman’s historical tendency to balance immediate impact selections with long-term developmental projects, particularly at the quarterback position where the Eagles have shown willingness to invest in future options even while maintaining established starters.

The fifth-round compensatory pick used to select Payton was awarded to Philadelphia as part of the NFL’s compensatory draft pick system, which rewards teams that lose more or better compensatory free agents than they acquire in the previous year.

What’s Next for Cole Payton

Payton will now report to the Eagles’ offseason program and participate in training camp as he looks to earn a role within the quarterback room. His development will be monitored closely by the Eagles’ coaching staff, particularly given his dual-threat skill set that could potentially fit into specific offensive packages.

While Payton is unlikely to challenge for immediate playing time behind Hurts, his presence adds competition and depth to a position that the Eagles have prioritized in recent drafts. His progression will be evaluated throughout the preseason and into his rookie season as he adjusts to the speed and complexity of the NFL game.

The Eagles will start organized team activities (OTAs) in late May, followed by minicamp in June, before opening training camp in late July. Payton’s performance during these offseason workouts will provide early indicators of his adaptation to Philadelphia’s offensive system and his potential trajectory within the organization.

For continued coverage of the Eagles’ 2026 NFL Draft selections and the development of Cole Payton, stay tuned to Archysport for updates throughout the offseason and into the regular season.