Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’3
Weight: 233
Stats: 2025 (10 games) – 72%, 2127 yards, 11 TD, 4 INT, 109 attempts, 771 yards, 11 touchdowns.
Class/Age: RS Senior, 22
Team: North Dakota State
Positives:
Payton is a fascinating
player, he’s struggled to see the field a ton through his time at NDSU with Trey Lance and Cam Miller being the two headliners at QB with Payton coming in at times mainly as a runner. He holds an exceptional frame for a quarterback and has a few traits to supplement that as well. Payton has a good arm, he throws with a tight compact motion that’s quick and highly repeatable which allows him to generate exceptional velocity on his pass attempts. Additionally, Payton has shown a good ability to put touch on his attempts and shows the ability to complete NFL caliber throws in hole shots and back shoulder attempts. He’s your traditional gunslinger at QB who’s willing to take the risk downfield and does trust himself enough to put the ball in between defenders for his receiver. Payton throws with anticipation and throws to create separation as well, showing a good understanding for ball placement in front of the receiver. The senior QB has clearly learned the mental traits through his time in college and shows the ability to read defenders, look defenders off using his eyes, and also complete progressions through pressure. Payton is good under pressure showing the ability to hang in the pocket and not rush his rhythm which allows him to consistently make plays. He shows a good understanding for the pocket with the ability to step up into space, move laterally and extend plays outside the pocket where he does a good job looking downfield to find an open receiver. Payton is a very notable rushing threat, he’s an athlete with true speed at the position along with above average acceleration, vision, and strength to fight for yardage.
Weakness:
Payton has some issues with his footwork and he’ll often struggle at times to recorrect which can lead to an errant throw or two. Additionally, Payton has a tendency to stare down his target which does lead to interceptions, mainly on comeback and quick throws over the middle which results in a play on the ball. Despite a good understanding for the pocket, Payton will need to get better at knowing when to throw the ball away as he can tend to play “hero ball” at times and either force the ball into a bad window, take an unnecessary sack, or try to run when he has no space to do so. Payton will have to learn how to throw the ball away and when to try and make a play in order to have consistent long term NFL success. The senior does have an issue at times with the ball trailing away from receivers due to his footwork which can be corrected in the NFL. Payton doesn’t have a ton of experience as a passer either with just 321 career dropbacks and only in 2025 has he started every game. Payton does fumble the ball at times due to an exaggerated release point when he wants to cork the ball deep, along with having a tendency to double hitch in his short yardage throws which paired with a tendency to stare down receivers can create an issue with the DL causing PBUs. There will also be discussions about his competition level at the FCS play.
Grade: 4.12- Early 4th Round
Pro-Comp: Carson Wentz (ish)
Payton is a fascinating QB prospect, he doesn’t have a ton of film at quarterback but this season he’s been exceptional. The lefty quarterback does has his flaws mainly with a weird release point, the mental aspects with taking sacks and not throwing the ball away, competition level, and his lack of experience. Despite these, Payton also shows an exceptional arm with the ability to generate a ton of velocity and good touch on his pass attempts as well. Payton is mobile and a good threat on the ground to the point he can be a true dual threat option as well. While there’s a world Payton has an exceptional pre draft process along with finishing the FCS season out on a high note over his next 4+ games most likely, the real realm is as a mid round developmental draft prospect though he could rise with time. North Dakota state has been a very notable QB factory with Wentz, Easton Stick, Trey Lance, and Cam Miller all ending up in the NFL though the overall success of their quarterbacks has also been a flaw. The Raiders are going to be looking for a quarterback, Payton makes sense if they want to go young and developmental but their goal should be a day one starter at the top of the class.
