Cole Payton Fantasy Stats

Eagles quarterback Cole Payton currently sits fourth on the Philadelphia depth chart behind Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Andy Dalton, but his long-term fantasy upside is as high as any of the non-first-round quarterbacks selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Both McKee and Dalton are in the final year of their contracts, and while the former could potentially seek greener pastures elsewhere in 2027, the soon-to-be-39-year-old Dalton may choose to call it a career after his 16th season in the league. Ironically, it is the lefty Payton who is perhaps best equipped to run an offense similar to the one helmed by Hurts, serving as the only other dual-threat quarterback on the roster after rushing for more than 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns during his collegiate career at North Dakota State. At 6'3" and 223 pounds, and with the luxury of developing behind the scenes, Payton could eventually grow into one of the most fantasy-relevant backup quarterbacks in the league and is a must-stash player in superflex dynasty leagues.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Cole Payton's impressive speed gives him long-term dynasty upside, but fantasy managers will have to be patient as he works his way up a crowded depth chart. Behind Jalen Hurts, the Eagles also have Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton, leaving Payton in the fourth-string quarterback role. That's not good enough to make the 53-man roster, but if the Eagles enter the season with the Hurts/McKee/Dalton trio, they'll presumably push hard to keep Payton on the practice squad in a developmental role. Payton has a strong arm and ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash, but his accuracy is questionable, and it's clear that his legs offer more upside than his arm. Still, in an offense that loves to run the ball with Hurts and Saquon Barkley, there's a path to a meaningful role for Payton, especially as Dalton gets older and the Eagles are forced to decide whether McKee has a spot on the team long-term. If Payton plays well during training camp and the preseason, he could boost his stock in dynasty fantasy football leagues. Managers should consider rostering him before his price tag goes up. At the moment, he's a low-risk option, projecting as a fourth-round pick in 2026 rookie drafts.

The Philadelphia Eagles have selected North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton with the 178th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Payton is a one-year starter after spending five total seasons with the FCS Bison, and he is a true dual-threat player, which makes his landing spot with Philadelphia an ideal fit. As a fifth-year senior in 2025, he completed over 71% of his passes for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding an additional 894 yards and 13 scores on the ground. The Eagles have one of the deepest quarterback depth charts in the league, with Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton already backing up Jalen Hurts, but with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman no stranger to making deals, it should come as no surprise if somebody is eventually dealt to thin the room. Whoever winds up as the primary backup in Philadelphia will hold strong insurance value in superflex dynasty leagues.