NFL draft profile 2026: Cole Payton (Quarterback, North Dakota State)

North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton (9) runs the ball to the end zone for the touchdown while playing against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota.

| Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The 2026 NFL Draft is in Pittsburgh! This draft season, we’ll be scouting as many of the top prospects that the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their eye on. We’ll break down the prospects themselves, strengths and weaknesses, projected draft capital, and their fit with the Steelers.

The Cole Payton hype train has taken off in recent weeks — in a relatively weak quarterback class, could he be the top sleeper to keep an eye on in 2026? The basics on Cole Payton Position : Quarterback Class : Fifth-year senior Size : 6’3, 232 pounds Age : 23 Projected draft round : 5 Offensive stats via ESPN Cole Payton scouting report North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton has slowly risen up big boards as draft season has gone on, capturing hearts as this year’s small-school sleeper at the position — not an unfamiliar occurrence for NDSU passers. Payton spent five seasons with the Bison, finally getting a chance to start in 2025, where he turned in a productive season before moving to the NFL.

Payton completed 72% of his pass attempts, throwing for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions. But he also added 777 yards on the ground and another 13 touchdowns. As you can tell from the statistics, Payton was a key contributor to NDSU’s run-heavy attack.