Highlights of Philadelphia Eagles 5th round pick Cole Payton

The Philadelphia Eagles once again turned to a familiar pipeline for the factory, selecting quarterback Cole Payton with the No. 178 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Philadelphia has had success identifying talent from North Dakota State in the past, and Payton represents another developmental prospect with intriguing upside.

From Carson Wentz to Trey Lance, North Dakota State produces solid prospects. A 2025 Walter Payton Award finalist (3rd), Payton led the Bison to a 12-1 record, including an 8-0 record in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in his first year as a starter. Payton Set NDSU single-season records for pass efficiency.

After missing the final eight games of the 2024 season with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, he bounced back in 2025, finishing with 3,188 passing yards, 29 total TDs (16 passing, 13 rushing), and four interceptions. Payton brings athleticism, mobility, and a versatile skill set that could fit well within the Eagles' new offensive system under first-year coordinator Sean Mannion. With the Bison, he showed the ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground, giving him potential value as a multi-dimensional quarterback at the next level.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Highlights of Philadelphia Eagles 5th round pick Cole Payton