{"id":869426,"date":"2026-04-18T21:09:24","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T21:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/869426\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T21:09:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T21:09:24","slug":"eagles-met-extensively-with-poised-dual-threat-qb-in-2026-nfl-draft-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/869426\/","title":{"rendered":"Eagles ‘Met Extensively’ With Poised Dual-Threat QB in 2026 NFL Draft: Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Cole\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported the Philadelphia Eagles “met extensively with projected Day 3 quarterback prospect Cole Payton.<\/p>\n

The Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> have a Super Bowl-winning starting quarterback in Jalen Hurts<\/a>. They also drafted intriguing prospect Tanner McKee<\/a> three years ago and traded for former longtime starter Andy Dalton<\/a> this offseason. Quarterback isn\u2019t exactly a major need in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

But Eagles have those signal-callers because general manager Howie Roseman has been one of the more proactive executives at acquiring quarterbacks in recent memory. Roseman could be at it again in the 2026 NFL<\/a> Draft class.<\/p>\n

NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported Saturday the Eagles have \u201cmet extensively\u201d with North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuarterback Cole Payton visited [the] Steelers<\/a> [and] Colts<\/a> per source, and has met extensively with [the] Eagles, Cardinals<\/a>, [and] Jets<\/a> per source,\u201d Wilson posted on social media<\/a>. \u201cPayton completed 71.2 percent of his throws as a senior for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns, four Interceptions.<\/p>\n

\u201cRushed for 2,069 career yards, 31 touchdowns. Ran 4.56 NFL Combine with 40-inch vertical leap.\u201d<\/p>\n

North Dakota State @NDSUfootball<\/a> quarterback Cole Payton visited #Steelers<\/a> #Colts<\/a> per source, and has met extensively with #Eagles<\/a> #Cardinals<\/a> #Jets<\/a> per source. Payton completed 71.2 percent of his throws as a senior for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns, four Interceptions. Rushed for <\/p>\n

Payton started just one season at North Dakota State. But NFL.com\u2019s Lance Zierlein called him \u201cpoised beyond\u201d his experience level. Zierlein was also complimentary of the quarterback\u2019s running ability.<\/p>\n

He will arrive in the NFL as a raw talent. But in Philadelphia, Payton wouldn\u2019t have to play immediately even if Hurts suffered an injury during 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cPayton is a dual-threat, single-season FCS starter with good size,\u201d wrote Zierlein<\/a>. \u201cHe\u2019s a lefty with shoddy mechanics and subpar arm talent, but he still manages to deliver throws with touch to all three levels.<\/p>\n

\u201cPayton projects as a QB3 and will require packaged plays to take advantage of his rushing ability until he proves himself a functional pocket passer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eagles Doing Homework on North Dakota State\u2019s Cole Payton\"Cole<\/p>\n

GettyNFL insider Aaron Wilson reported the Philadelphia Eagles \u201cmet extensively with projected Day 3 quarterback prospect Cole Payton.<\/p>\n

As Wilson explained, several teams are doing their research into Payton. Philadelphia would be a particularly landing spot for him because the Eagles once traded up to draft former North Dakota State signal-caller Carson Wentz<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While Wentz flamed out in Philadelphia, he had an MVP-type season in 2017 before suffering a season-ending injury. Wentz had the Eagles in Super Bowl contender in December. Backup Nick Foles<\/a> assumed the starting quarterback job and led the team to its first Super Bowl title.<\/p>\n

Payton registered<\/a> 2,719 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions last season. He also had 777 rushing yards with 13 scores.<\/p>\n

During the FCS regular season, Payton led<\/a> the Bison to a perfect 12-0 regular season record. The team, though, lost in the second round of the FCS playoffs after its bye.<\/p>\n

Payton is one of several quarterbacks who could hear his named called in the middle rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN\u2019s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked<\/a> Payton the No. 6 signal-caller in the entire draft class.<\/p>\n

After No. 1 quarterback Fernando Mendoza, though, the class \u00a0behind center is considered rather weak. Signal-callers such as Carson Beck, Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmeier, Payton and Taylen Green, who Kiper ranked No. 3-7 on his 2026 QB rankings, could be anywhere from third to fifth-round selections.<\/p>\n

Could Eagles Add Payton to QB Depth in 2026 NFL Draft?\"Cole<\/p>\n

GettyNFL.com\u2019s Lance Zierlein projected North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton to be a fourth or fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

Roseman clearly believes in quality quarterback depth. So despite already having quality behind center, Payton could be a possibility for the Eagles.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unlikely the Eagles view Payton as a future starter. But with McKee entering a contract season this fall, it\u2019s possible Philadelphia could add a quarterback in the 2026 draft to prepare for McKee\u2019s potential departure.<\/p>\n

Some pundits this offseason have also suggested the Eagles could trade McKee. The team could pursue that option with Payton added as a QB3 behind Dalton.<\/p>\n

Payton stands<\/a> at just over 6-foot-2 and a half and 232 pounds. At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tDave Holcomb<\/a> is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers and a variety of other NFL teams. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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