Will Cole Payton be Jalen Hurts' Long Term Backup?
The Philadelphia Eagles selected North Dakota State QB Cole Payton in Round 5 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Payton played a Taysom Hill type role in 2023 & 2024, rushing for 414 yards over those two seasons. He won the QB job in 2025. As a one-year starter, Payton threw for 2,719 yards with 16 TDs and 4 INTs. He also rushed for 777 yards and 13 TDs. An elite athlete, Payton had a 9.87 RAS with a 4.56 40 at 6’3 and 232 pounds. He also ranked 99th percentile in Vertical (40”) and Broad Jump (10’10”). Among the 15 QBs invited to the NFL Combine, Payton ranked fifth in 2025 adjusted completion percentage (78.3%), and first in aDOT (12.3). He also ranked first in 2025 Big Time Throw rate (11.3%) and fourth in rushing yards per game when removing sacks (39.8). He is currently 23 years old.
