The Philadelphia Eagles went back to the North Dakota State well for a quarterback 10 years after they took Carson Wentz No. 2 overall in 2016.
With the 38th pick of the fifth round (No. 178 overall), the Eagles drafted Cole Payton. The southpaw – Philadelphia loves a lefty like Rocky Balboa – signal-caller completed 72 percent of his passes during his one season as a starter. He threw 16 touchdowns (four interceptions) and averaged 5.7 yards per carry on 136 attempts (29 carries of more than 10 yards) to go with 13 rushing touchdowns.
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The Bison went 12-1 and Payton was a finalist for the Walter Payton award, given to the top player in FCS.
Payton, 6-3 and 230 pounds, was the sixth quarterback taken of the draft. But ESPN Mel Kiper Jr. predicted he won’t merely be a backup quarterback for Philadelphia.
“This kid can be Taysom Hill,” said Kiper, who guessed the Eagles will create a package of plays specifically for Payton.
“You got to love what Howie Roseman does and what they do in the draft,” Kiper added.
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The Omaha, Nebraska, native is accustomed to waiting his turn. He served as the Bisons’ backup for four seasons before starting for one year as a fifth-year senior.
With a solid arm, Payton’s ball possesses a nice touch and his mobility is his calling card. He was voted the top quarterback during two days of Senior Bowl week.
Eagles QB depth chart: What pick means for Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ Super Bowl MVP starting quarterback, unseated Wentz as a rookie and second-round pick. Payton is more of a developmental project, but he is joining a crowded Eagles quarterback room.
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Philadelphia traded for veteran Andy Dalton this offseason and Tanner McKee – trade rumors will certainly intensify around him now – is also on the roster already.
Of all the quarterbacks on Philadelphia’s roster, though, Payton mirrors Hurts’ skill set the most.
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Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
33. San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Mississippi
The 2026 NFL Draft continues Friday, April 24, as teams move into Rounds 2 and 3.
See how the next wave of prospects comes off the board as draft weekend rolls on.
1 / 68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
33. San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Mississippi
The 2026 NFL Draft continues Friday, April 24, as teams move into Rounds 2 and 3.
See how the next wave of prospects comes off the board as draft weekend rolls on.
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34. Arizona Cardinals: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
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35. Buffalo Bills: T.J. Parker, DE/LB, Clemson
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36. Houston Texans (from Raiders): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
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37. New York Giants: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
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38. Las Vegas Raiders (from Commanders via Texans): Treydan Stukes, CB/S, Arizona
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39. Cleveland Browns: WR Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
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40. Kansas City Chiefs: R Mason Thomas, DE/OLB, Oklahoma
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41. Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
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42. New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
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43. Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
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44. Detroit Lions (from Cowboys via Jets): Derrick Moore, DE, Michigan
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45. Baltimore Ravens: Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri
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46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
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47. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Colts): Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
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48. Atlanta Falcons: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
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49. Carolina Panthers (from Vikings): Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
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50. New York Jets (from Lions): D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
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51. Minnesota Vikings (from Panthers): LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
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52. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
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53. Indianapolis Colts (from Steelers): LB CJ Allen, Georgia
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54. Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
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55. New England Patriots (from Chargers): Gabe Jacas, DE/OLB, Illinois
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56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M
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57. Chicago Bears: Logan Jones, C, Iowa
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58. Cleveland Browns (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
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59. Houston Texans: Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan
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60. Tennessee Titans (from Bills via Bears): Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
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61. Los Angeles Rams: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
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62. Buffalo Bills (from Broncos): Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
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63. Los Angeles Chargers (from Patriots): Jake Slaughter, G/C, Florida
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64. Seattle Seahawks: Bud Clark, S, TCU
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65. Arizona Cardinals: Carson Beck, QB, Miami (Fla.)
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66. Denver Broncos (from Titans via Bills): Tyler Onyedim, DT, Texas A&M
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67. Las Vegas Raiders: Keyron Crawford, DE/OLB, Auburn
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68. Philadelphia Eagles (from Jets): Markel Bell, OT, Miami (Fla.)
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69. Chicago Bears (from Texans via Giants and Bears): Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
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70. San Francisco 49ers (from Browns): Romello Height, DE/OLB, Texas Tech
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71. Washington Commanders: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
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72. Cincinnati Bengals: Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
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73. New Orleans Saints: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
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74. New York Giants (from Chiefs and Browns): Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
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75. Miami Dolphins: Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech
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76. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Cowboys): Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
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77. Green Bay Packers (from Buccaneers): Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri
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78. Indianapolis Colts: AJ Haulcy, S, LSU
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79. Atlanta Falcons: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
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80. Baltimore Ravens: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
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81. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Lions): Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M
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82. Minnesota Vikings: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
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83. Carolina Panthers: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
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84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Packers): Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
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85. Pittsburgh Steelers: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
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86. Cleveland Browns (from Chargers): Austin Barber, OT, Florida
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87. Miami Dolphins (from Eagles): Will Kacmarek, TE, Ohio State
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88. Jacksonville Jaguars: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
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89. Chicago Bears: Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU
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90. San Francisco 49ers (from Dolphins via Texans): Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana
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91. Las Vegas Raiders (from Bills via Texans): Trey Zuhn III, G, Texas A&M
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92. Dallas Cowboys (from 49ers): Jaishawn Barham, OLB, Michigan
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93. Los Angeles Rams: Keagen Trost, OT/G, Missouri
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94. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
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95. New England Patriots: Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
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96. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Seahawks): Gennings Dunker, OT/G, Iowa
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97. Minnesota Vikings (Compensatory Selection): Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
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98. Minnesota Vikings (from Eagles; Compensatory Selection): Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami (Fla.)
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99. Seattle Seahawks (from Steelers; Compensatory Selection): Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
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100. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Lions; Special Compensatory Selection): Jalen Huskey, CB/S, Maryland
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: QB Cole Payton drafted by Eagles: analysis, Jalen Hurts implications, depth chart