The Philadelphia Eagles landed a quarterback after all in the 2026 NFL Draft as they took Cole Payton in the fifth round.
Payton has been tied to the Eagles in mock drafts over the last two months, with his skill set being similar to that of starter Jalen Hurts. FanSided NFL Draft expert Marcus Mosher shared his thoughts on Payton, saying the young quarterback has potential, but it might take a while.
"Payton has all the traits to be a franchise QB in the NFL. The problem is that he's at least two years away from being two years away. The Senior Bowl proved to be a big jump for him and his timing and anticipation need to greatly improve before he is ready for NFL action. But the athleticism and size are tough to find at this position."
Cole Payton will be good, but it will take a long time
The reality is that Payton has only one full year as a starting quarterback, as he was a backup for both of North Dakota State's national title runs. He threw for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns to four interceptions, with another 777 yards on the ground and an additional 13 rushing touchdowns.
Payton is a great athlete who can run a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and contribute in many ways to the offense. He can take some of the running plays away from Hurts so that the starter can focus on passing, and new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion can create certain packages for Payton that can mix in the run and pass.
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For those who believe that Hurts has been "put on notice" with this selection, that couldn't be further from the truth. Payton has great potential, but is far away from being the quarterback any NFL team needs. For now, he will be a gadget quarterback for the near future and Hurts will continue leading the Eagles to victories as the starter.
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