Cole Payton

Payton played at NDSU (FCS) and started only his senior season after throwing just 58 passes over four years. The translation from FCS to NFL starting duties is historically difficult, and his sample size as a starter is extremely thin.

Payton enters Philadelphia as QB4 behind Jalen Hurts (elite, long-term starter), Andy Dalton, and Tanner McKee. There is no viable path to fantasy-relevant snaps in 2026 barring a catastrophic injury to Hurts.

Only one full collegiate starting season on record makes it extremely difficult to project NFL readiness or scheme adaptability. His development timeline in Philadelphia could span 3+ years before meaningful evaluation.

Reporting suggests his fastest path to the field is a Taysom Hill-style gadget/packaged-play role, which caps fantasy QB scoring upside and offers little stable dynasty value unless he wins the long-term starting job.

Payton posted a 9.87 RAS with a 4.56 40-yard dash, 40" vertical, and 10'10" broad jump — all elite marks. His dual-threat profile (894 rush yards, 13 rushing TDs in 2025) creates Taysom Hill-type gadget upside in the near term.

Both current backups (Dalton, McKee) are UFAs after 2026, potentially clearing Payton to the backup role by 2027. If Hurts ever misses time or departs, Payton would operate in a QB-friendly Eagles system with strong coaching.

The Eagles have one of the NFL's premier QB development environments under Nick Sirianni and an offense built around a mobile QB — a natural fit for Payton's dual-threat skill set. GM Howie Roseman has signaled openness to carrying four QBs.

Young QB (23) — still in value appreciation phase

Sirianni and the staff have publicly praised his ball-in-hands ability and floated Taysom Hill-type red-zone/package usage alongside gadget players, giving him a realistic route to early NFL snaps even before a QB role.