Now that the 2026 NFL Draft is done, it’s time for some film rooms on the Philadelphia Eagles’ rookie class. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be publishing individual film breakdowns on the Eagles’ 2026 draft class here at Bleeding Green Nation. My pre-draft rankings and position previews are still up if you want to cross-reference. A quick note on the film: I can’t share All-22 footage here without risking content strikes, so I’ll use clips from other accounts below. However, I’ll have full All-22 breakdowns available
on my Patreon, which you can check out and support if you want to see full games of All-22. Let’s go!
PREVIOUSLY IN THIS SERIES: Makai Lemon | Eli Stowers | Markel Bell
Cole Payton
My immediate reaction to this pick was a bit of annoyance, as it felt as if the Eagles drafted Cole Payton at a point in the draft when quarterback was the last thing most of us had on our minds. However, once the immediate annoyance had passed, it was clear that this was not a pick the Eagles made because they needed a QB. I think they looked at Payton’s athletic profile, thought about what they could eventually do with him, and decided the upside was worth a fifth-round flier. I think I probably agree after watching him some more.
The Taysom Hill comparison is going to come up every time Payton’s name is mentioned, and I do get it. The multi-positional threat is exactly how I would think about his long-term deployment, and it is a real blueprint for a player with this physical profile.
However, before we all get carried away on the countless opportunities, this is Sean Mannion’s first year as an offensive coordinator. He has an entirely new offense to install, a receiving room that has just been reshaped significantly, and Jalen Hurts to manage as the franchise quarterback. The last thing I want is for his attention (or his staff) to be diverted toward packaging creative wrinkles for a fifth-round developmental quarterback before the base offense is even established. The Payton era in the Eagles’ offense might start to look interesting in Year 2 or Year 3, if he develops well, but I wouldn’t expect anything immediate.
Strengths
Athletic Profile
The reason teams were interested in Payton is not just his quarterbacking. It is his athleticism. He is a well-built, powerful athlete with explosive testing numbers and a movement profile that makes defenders uncomfortable in space. He had six carries of 30-plus yards in 2025. He not only has burst, but he also sustains speed through contact and over distance in a way that prevents pursuit from closing in easily.
His athleticism translates directly to the concepts the Eagles have run since they added Jalen Hurts. The RPO-heavy, zone-read, QB power structure of this offense is exactly what he ran at North Dakota State. The threat he creates in the run game forces defensive structure respect in a way that opens everything outside. The comparison to a younger Jalen Hurts in terms of run-game value is not an exaggeration. He can break off chunk plays on the ground, and he is dangerous improvising off script when designed plays break down. I think as the season progresses, we should see some run-game concepts that involve Payton’s athleticism. It would sort of be mental not to try something.
Arm Talent
Payton’s throwing motion takes a while to get used to. Especially, as he is left-handed. My brain can’t handle left-handed quarterbacks. He has that Phillip Rivers type of throw, which just looks a little awkward. It is not textbook. But it works for him. He can effortlessly drive the ball on deep in-breakers with precision and rhythm. He can rip 25-yard shots outside the numbers without any mechanical hitch. He throws from a wide base and generates power, which proves that his arm is strong despite his funky mechanics. His deep shots opposite-hash are pretty awesome at times.
He is also comfortable throwing from platforms other than a clean pocket. On bootlegs and off-script scramble drills, he can deliver from various angles and body positions with a feel for touch that you do not always see in raw quarterbacks. That versatility in delivery is useful for any offense that wants to use him out in space. A creative offensive mind can make it work with Payton on the move.
Character
Everything I’ve read about him since he was drafted is that he is an incredibly hard worker. He went through a broken thumb on his throwing hand during the playoffs in December 2025, had surgery the following day, and was throwing again within six weeks to make the Senior Bowl. His 12-1 record as a starter at NDSU reflects a winning pedigree and the type of thing that you need if you are going to be added to an already crowded QB room.
Weaknesses
Processing, Decision-Making and Accuracy
This is the central developmental challenge, and it’s a massive one. Payton is frequently late making throws from the pocket, and he often takes an extra hitch before releasing. Good NFL defenders will exploit this consistently. He often waits for receivers to turn and find the ball before throwing rather than anticipating the break. When he is under pressure, his eyes drop, which leads to sacks he could avoid by getting the ball out earlier. Handling pressure is something that some evaluators believe is innate, and I think I agree to an extent. Quarterbacks who just can’t handle pressure sometimes never improve. It can be a fatal weakness.
The inconsistency in decision-making compounds the processing issue. I remember watching a third-and-thirteen, and he had a receiver wide open down the seam and never pulled the trigger. Instead, he tucked the ball and scrambled for less. He has that issue, which is typical to see when watching mobile quarterbacks come out of college. He wants to run first at times and needs to learn to throw from the pocket. Athleticism is an asset that sometimes becomes an issue, preventing him from developing the pocket instincts he needs. This is not unusual for athletic developmental quarterbacks, but it is a habit that needs to be coached out if he wants to become a backup quarterback, rather than a role player.
His feet and eyes play on different pages too frequently. He does not consistently step into throws, and his wide base contributes to inaccurate sprays when the mechanics break down under pressure. Hey, he sounds like another former North Dakota State quarterback! The elongated release gives defenders an extra fraction of a second that NFL pass rushers will take full advantage of, too. As a thrower, he is very boom or bust.
Experience and Competition Level
He simply hasn’t played that much, and the step up to NFL defensive speed, complexity, and physicality is massive. He has simply not faced enough live NFL-caliber situations to know how he processes them. Everything good about his profile is projection and upside, rather than something you can be certain about (outside of his athleticism).
The Film
Overall Assessment and Fit with the Eagles
Cole Payton is a fascinating athlete who is a long way from being a functioning NFL quarterback. In the short term, one of Tanner McKee or Andy Dalton could be moved before the season, and Payton will compete for a roster spot. He could potentially make the 53 as a developmental third quarterback or end up on the practice squad to develop. I think another team will grab him if he doesn’t make the roster, though. The preseason will be worth watching, specifically because he will get meaningful snaps.
The longer-term vision could be the Taysom Hill model, and I think it is a reasonable one if Payton develops well. The Eagles have a quarterback in Jalen Hurts who handles the full offensive load. What they could eventually have in Payton is a Swiss Army knife. He’s a player whose quarterbacking ability forces defensive respect, but whose athleticism, blocking upside, and red zone physicality give the offense additional tools regardless of whether the passing ever fully develops. You might take a speedy receiver in the 5th round who never becomes anything. There’s no harm in trying to add explosive plays by adding a late-round quarterback.
As I said at the start, though, there are far more important things demanding Mannion’s attention right now than developing creative packages for a fifth-round rookie quarterback. This is a pick for future seasons. I will never complain about adding good athletes. I just hope we are all patient enough to let this one develop on the right schedule.
Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment below and ask any questions. If you enjoyed this piece, you can find more of my work and podcast here. If you would like to support me further, please check out my Patreon here!
