Eagles draft North Dakota State QB Cole Payton

Field Level Media|published: 04/25/2026, 4:18pm EDT

Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton (QB15) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Eagles selected quarterback North Dakota State Cole Payton in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Payton was selected with the 178th overall pick and was one of six quarterbacks selected in the first five rounds.

Payton established himself as a dynamic dual threat quarterback at North Dakota State. After four seasons as a seldom-used reserve, he took over as starting quarterback last season, throwing for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 777 yards and 13 touchdowns.

As a backup, he was a two-time FCS champion (2021, 2024).

At the NFL combine, the 6-foot-3 left-hander ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash and posted a 40-inch vertical.

The 23-year-old will join a crowded Eagles' quarterback room that includes Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Andy Dalton.

--Field Level Media