Cole Payton: Pittsburgh's Late-Round QB Flier

0:00It's March 22nd. I'm Cory with the story, and this is NFL News Today, your AI-powered football briefing. The 2026 NFL Draft heads to Pittsburgh next year, spotlighting local favorites like the Steelers. One name buzzing as a sleeper quarterback prospect is Cole Payton from North Dakota State. This 23-year-old fifth-year senior stands six feet three inches and weighs 232 pounds. Scouts project him as a fifth-round pick in a thin quarterback class. Payton broke out as a starter last season in a run-focused offense. He completed 72% of his passes for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just four picks. On the ground, he added 777 yards and 13 scores, showing his dual threat style. Fans and analysts see his size and running toughness as big pluses along with flashes of deep accuracy and playmaking on the move. Still, his unorthodox lefty mechanics, spotty zip, and small school background, raised

1:01doubts about his pocket passing against pros. Experts like those in NFL.com call him a potential third stringer or gadget runner. Pittsburgh brought Payton in for a top 30 visit, eyeing him as a late-round flyer. His athlete build fits a taste of Hill Row, though he's no sure franchise guy compared to others like Will Howard. With the Steelers holding 12 picks, Payton could be a low-risk bet to develop his arm under NFL coaching, keeping the hype alive as draft boards shift.