The Quarterback Prospect the Cowboys Need In 2026

Cole Payton Wasn’t On My Draft Prospect Radar

What makes Cole Payton interesting to me is that I didn’t go searching for him. He just kept popping up.

Senior bowl recap? There he is. FCS postseason list? Guess who. Draft chatter? Not so much.

At some point, everyone needs to get away from the big names and look at these small school prospects for developmental players.

When He Got the Job at NDSU, He Didn’t Waste It

Payton’s college path isn’t normal. He waited his turn at NDSU, which is unheard of in today’s sports landscape.

I found out he didn’t become the starter until the 2025 season.

2021, redshirt season, but played three games, completing 1–3 passes, and rushed the ball eight times for 78 yards and two touchdowns.

2022, freshman season, suited up for 13 games as the number two quarterback.

He rushed for 284 yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries (7.5 YPC), added a career-high 48 yards in the NCAA playoffs, finished 8-of-12 passing for 51 yards, and earned MVFC Honor Roll and Commissioner’s Academic Excellence honors.

2023, sophomore year, Payton was just an athlete the Bison found ways to use.

He rushed for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns, and even threw for nearly 300 yards and three scores when he was needed. He wasn’t the guy yet, but the tools were already there.

2024, junior season. This season was mostly bad timing. Payton played in the first half of the year as a backup, even starting one game at tailback, before an injury ended his season in October.

2025, senior year. This is the year everything clicked.

In his first season as the full-time starter, Payton led NDSU to a 12-1 record and an undefeated run in the MVFC.

He finished third in the Walter Payton Award voting, earned multiple All-American honors, and set school records for passing efficiency, yards per attempt, and total offense per play.

He completed over 71% of his passes, threw for nearly 2,800 yards and 16 touchdowns with just four interceptions, and added 777 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.

The Physical Part Is Real

From a pure build standpoint, I get why scouts started paying attention during the Senior Bowl.

He’s around 6’2”, over 233 pounds, and runs like a running back when he takes off. Not fast-for-a-quarterback, but actual football fast.

One thing I noticed was how comfortable he was throwing from weird spots. On the move, under center, rolling right as a lefty, resetting his feet. It doesn’t look too forced.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s not perfect. His mechanics need work, but a good QB coach can fix that issue.

The Senior Bowl Changed the Conversation

The Senior Bowl is where Payton stopped being a footnote and became a real name.

Most reports had him as one of the more consistent quarterbacks in practice.

And in a quarterback group that didn’t exactly light the world on fire, that matters.

That’s also where the Michael Penix Jr. comparison came from. I’m not saying he’s the next franchise quarterback for a team, but he looks like someone who belongs in the NFL.

Cole Payton Is Exactly the Type of Quarterback the Cowboys Take Late

If Payton goes in the middle or late rounds, I won’t be surprised at all. Honestly, that’s where this profile usually works.

Big body, tough, athletic, accurate enough, coachable, and a cheap contract.

This is the type of quarterback the Cowboys could develop behind two other big-bodied quarterbacks. He could be a career backup or not make a team, but the traits are there for a potential late-round gem.

The Cowboys are pretty good at finding quarterbacks late in the draft or as undrafted free agents.

Maybe Cole Payton could be the next in line.