Even as the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for life under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, there is a new level of excitement for the unit with all the new weapons they added on that side of the ball.
Just within the first three picks of the draft, they selected wide receiver Makai Lemon, tight end Eli Stowers, and offensive tackle Markel Bell. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Ryan Novozinsky is excited about seeing another newcomer to the team from the draft when OTAs get underway: fifth-round selection quarterback Cole Payton.
"The North Dakota State quarterback has drawn comparisons to Taysom Hill. One longtime quarterback coach even said this of the rookie last month: “Cole Payton is no Taysom Hill, he’s better.” What does Mannion — an innovative offensive mind — do with a player like that? How does this impact the Tush Push?"
Cole Payton could be an insane weapon in this Eagles' offense
Payton is an established passer, as he proved in one season as the starter at North Dakota State, but it's all the other things he can do as an athlete that have everyone in Philly excited. He can line up as a running back, as he did once in college; they could roll him out as a tight end; and, as Novozinsky mentioned, he can help on the Tush Push.
For coaches to actually say that Payton might end up being better than Hill is impressive, to say the least. There are not many Swiss Army Knives in the NFL like Hill, but if Payton can end up being better than him, what a weapon the Eagles are about to get.
There are some who hope that Payton will develop into a good passer and at least give them a good option if things go south with Jalen Hurts as the starter over the next two years. At least Mannion just got a new weapon that will throw defenses off their game when he is on the field.
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It's way too early to tell what kind of player Payton will be, but there is enough buzz to believe the Eagles might have hit the jackpot with their Day 3 selection.
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