It was a classic Howie Roseman move for the Philadelphia Eagles.
With the fifth-round selection of a high-upside rookie quarterback in Cole Payton, the strategy has been implemented time and again by Roseman. There's a good reason why folks often refer to the team's ever-evolving group of signal callers as the "quarterback factory", since Roseman is always looking to further strengthen and diversify the room.
And while Payton arrives with rare athleticism and a unique array of skills, expectations must be tempered when it comes to the impact the multi-faceted prospect will make. Geoff Mosher with Philly Voice splashed a cold dose of reality on those who envision the rookie signal caller threading the needle on gamedays anytime soon.
"There seems to be some strange obsession already with Eagles rookie QB Cole Payton. Ever since the Eagles drafted him in the fifth round, he's been quite the topic of conversation for fans and media. Let's all take a deep breath before we put Payton in Canton. Yes, he'll make the 53. Yes, he has incredible athleticism that could help him get on the field in some capacity as a rookie, maybe.
But there's a reason his comp is Taysom Hill and not other actual athletic starting QBs. He's very unrefined and needs a lot of work on his technique, carriage point and footwork. As noted previously, plenty of NFL teams wondered if he would fare better.
Wheels could get Eagles' Cole Payton early burn
The former Bison star was only a one-year starter in college, but his sole campaign starting under center was extremely impressive. Still, though, one year is one year, no matter how you dice it. Far more experience and development are essential for Payton, and new quarterbacks coach Parks Frazier, who's been elevated from passing game coordinator, as well as new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, are tasked with spearheading them.
Payton's wheels could indeed get him on the field in some capacity this coming season, no doubt about it. At 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds, the Hill comp works well due to his remarkable 4.56 40-yard time and 40-inch vertical, and one look at his college resume screams certified playmaker. Payton even started a game his junior season at tailback for good measure, and overall, the dual-threat athlete capped his senior season with 777 rushing yards and 13 trips to pay dirt on the ground.
The mechanics, the technique, all the intricacies of playing the position, especially at the highest level, are what Payton must work tirelessly on. While he threw for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns as a starter last season, a ton of work remains to be done.
Payton is the latest addition to the quarterback factory, a rookie eager to get on the field, one way or the other. It may take time, but Roseman and the Eagles observed a skillset building up to the draft that they didn't want another team to cash in on.
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Now it's up to Payton and the coaching staff to make sure the move pays dividends.
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