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Eagles draft North Dakota State QB Cole Payton at No. 178

sportsApr 25, 202627112

The Philadelphia Eagles selected North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton with the No. 178 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Payton is a 6-foot-3, 232-pound left-handed dual-threat WHO ran a 4.56 40-yard dash and produced 16 passing and 13 rushing touchdowns last season as a one-year starter at NDSU. The pick adds developmental depth behind Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, and Tanner McKee and brings a different athletic profile than the Eagles' current backups. Payton's size, speed, and rushing production give Philadelphia a late-round swing for mobile depth and gadget-package potential on offense.

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