{"id":630768,"date":"2026-04-25T21:57:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T21:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/630768\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T21:57:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T21:57:46","slug":"eagles-take-developmental-qb-prospect-in-nfl-draft-cole-payton-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/630768\/","title":{"rendered":"Eagles take developmental QB prospect in NFL draft: Cole Payton profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> went back to the North Dakota State well for a quarterback 10 years after they took Carson Wentz No. 2 overall in 2016.<\/p>\n

With the 38th pick of the fifth round (No. 178 overall), the Eagles drafted Cole Payton. The southpaw \u2013 Philadelphia loves a lefty like Rocky Balboa \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

The Bison went 12-1 and Payton was a finalist for the Walter Payton award, given to the top player in FCS.<\/p>\n

Payton, 6-3 and 230 pounds, was the sixth quarterback taken of the draft. But ESPN Mel Kiper Jr. predicted he won\u2019t merely be a backup quarterback for Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis kid can be Taysom Hill,\u201d said Kiper, who guessed the Eagles will create a package of plays specifically for Payton.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got to love what Howie Roseman does and what they do in the draft,\u201d Kiper added.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

The Omaha, Nebraska, native is accustomed to waiting his turn. He served as the Bisons\u2019 backup for four seasons before starting for one year as a fifth-year senior.<\/p>\n

With a solid arm, Payton\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Eagles QB depth chart: What pick means for Jalen Hurts<\/p>\n

Jalen Hurts, the Eagles\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Philadelphia traded for veteran Andy Dalton this offseason and Tanner McKee \u2013 trade rumors will certainly intensify around him now \u2013 is also on the roster already.<\/p>\n

Of all the quarterbacks on Philadelphia\u2019s roster, though, Payton mirrors Hurts\u2019 skill set the most.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

33. San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Mississippi<\/p>\n

The 2026 NFL Draft<\/a> continues Friday, April 24, as teams move into Rounds 2 and 3.<\/p>\n

See how the next wave of prospects comes off the board as draft weekend rolls on.<\/p>\n

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1 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

33. San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Mississippi<\/p>\n

The 2026 NFL Draft<\/a> continues Friday, April 24, as teams move into Rounds 2 and 3.<\/p>\n

See how the next wave of prospects comes off the board as draft weekend rolls on.<\/p>\n

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2 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

34. Arizona Cardinals: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

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3 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

35. Buffalo Bills: T.J. Parker, DE\/LB, Clemson<\/p>\n

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4 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

36. Houston Texans (from Raiders): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State<\/p>\n

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5 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

37. New York Giants: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee<\/p>\n

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6 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

38. Las Vegas Raiders (from Commanders via Texans): Treydan Stukes, CB\/S, Arizona<\/p>\n

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7 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

39. Cleveland Browns: WR Denzel Boston, WR, Washington<\/p>\n

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8 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

40. Kansas City Chiefs: R Mason Thomas, DE\/OLB, Oklahoma<\/p>\n

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9 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

41. Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell, DE\/OLB, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

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10 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

42. New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia<\/p>\n

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11 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

43. Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

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12 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

44. Detroit Lions (from Cowboys via Jets): Derrick Moore, DE, Michigan<\/p>\n

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13 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

45. Baltimore Ravens: Zion Young, DE\/OLB, Missouri<\/p>\n

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14 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri<\/p>\n

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15 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

47. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Colts): Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama<\/p>\n

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16 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

48. Atlanta Falcons: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson<\/p>\n

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17 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

49. Carolina Panthers (from Vikings): Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

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18 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

50. New York Jets (from Lions): D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana<\/p>\n

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19 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

51. Minnesota Vikings (from Panthers): LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati<\/p>\n

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20 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

52. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina<\/p>\n

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21 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

53. Indianapolis Colts (from Steelers): LB CJ Allen, Georgia<\/p>\n

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22 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

54. Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt<\/p>\n

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23 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

55. New England Patriots (from Chargers): Gabe Jacas, DE\/OLB, Illinois<\/p>\n

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24 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

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25 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

57. Chicago Bears: Logan Jones, C, Iowa<\/p>\n

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26 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

58. Cleveland Browns (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo<\/p>\n

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27 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

59. Houston Texans: Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan<\/p>\n

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28 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

60. Tennessee Titans (from Bills via Bears): Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas<\/p>\n

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29 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

61. Los Angeles Rams: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State<\/p>\n

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30 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

62. Buffalo Bills (from Broncos): Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State<\/p>\n

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31 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

63. Los Angeles Chargers (from Patriots): Jake Slaughter, G\/C, Florida<\/p>\n

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32 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

64. Seattle Seahawks: Bud Clark, S, TCU<\/p>\n

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33 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

65. Arizona Cardinals: Carson Beck, QB, Miami (Fla.)<\/p>\n

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34 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

66. Denver Broncos (from Titans via Bills): Tyler Onyedim, DT, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

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35 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

67. Las Vegas Raiders: Keyron Crawford, DE\/OLB, Auburn<\/p>\n

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36 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

68. Philadelphia Eagles (from Jets): Markel Bell, OT, Miami (Fla.)<\/p>\n

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37 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

69. Chicago Bears (from Texans via Giants and Bears): Sam Roush, TE, Stanford<\/p>\n

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38 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

70. San Francisco 49ers (from Browns): Romello Height, DE\/OLB, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

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39 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

71. Washington Commanders: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson<\/p>\n

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40 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

72. Cincinnati Bengals: Tacario Davis, CB, Washington<\/p>\n

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41 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

73. New Orleans Saints: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia<\/p>\n

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42 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

74. New York Giants (from Chiefs and Browns): Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame<\/p>\n

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43 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

75. Miami Dolphins: Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

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44 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

76. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Cowboys): Drew Allar, QB, Penn State<\/p>\n

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45 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

77. Green Bay Packers (from Buccaneers): Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri<\/p>\n

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46 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

78. Indianapolis Colts: AJ Haulcy, S, LSU<\/p>\n

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47 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

79. Atlanta Falcons: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia<\/p>\n

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48 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

80. Baltimore Ravens: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC<\/p>\n

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49 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

81. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Lions): Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

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50 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

82. Minnesota Vikings: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State<\/p>\n

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51 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

83. Carolina Panthers: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee<\/p>\n

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52 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Packers): Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State<\/p>\n

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53 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

85. Pittsburgh Steelers: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia<\/p>\n

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54 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

86. Cleveland Browns (from Chargers): Austin Barber, OT, Florida<\/p>\n

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55 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

87. Miami Dolphins (from Eagles): Will Kacmarek, TE, Ohio State<\/p>\n

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56 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

88. Jacksonville Jaguars: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon<\/p>\n

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57 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

89. Chicago Bears: Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU<\/p>\n

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58 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

90. San Francisco 49ers (from Dolphins via Texans): Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana<\/p>\n

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59 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

91. Las Vegas Raiders (from Bills via Texans): Trey Zuhn III, G, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

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60 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

92. Dallas Cowboys (from 49ers): Jaishawn Barham, OLB, Michigan<\/p>\n

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61 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

93. Los Angeles Rams: Keagen Trost, OT\/G, Missouri<\/p>\n

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62 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

94. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Chris Bell, WR, Louisville<\/p>\n

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63 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

95. New England Patriots: Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame<\/p>\n

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64 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

96. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Seahawks): Gennings Dunker, OT\/G, Iowa<\/p>\n

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65 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

97. Minnesota Vikings (Compensatory Selection): Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern<\/p>\n

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66 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

98. Minnesota Vikings (from Eagles; Compensatory Selection): Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami (Fla.)<\/p>\n

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67 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

99. Seattle Seahawks (from Steelers; Compensatory Selection): Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas<\/p>\n

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68 \/ 68<\/p>\n

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

100. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Lions; Special Compensatory Selection): Jalen Huskey, CB\/S, Maryland<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: QB Cole Payton drafted by Eagles: analysis, Jalen Hurts implications, depth chart<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Philadelphia Eagles went back to the North Dakota State well for a quarterback 10 years after they…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":630769,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[138937,64,63,55565,256104,6579,593,1260,305657,85,19365,120291,23821,305656],"class_list":["post-630768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-andy-dalton","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-carson-wentz","tag-cole-payton","tag-jalen-hurts","tag-nfl","tag-philadelphia-eagles","tag-rocky-balboa","tag-sports","tag-tanner-mckee","tag-taysom-hill","tag-the-eagles","tag-walter-payton"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/630768","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=630768"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/630768\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/630769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=630768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=630768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=630768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}