QB · PHI
transaction
Waiver: Cole Payton added, Ben Sinnott dropped
sleeper-tx-waiverSource unavailable
Adds: Cole Payton. Drops: Ben Sinnott
Cole Payton
QB · PHI · 23 yrs · exp 0 · North Dakota State
Status
- Game status
- Active
Keep Trade Cut (SF TEP)
From latest snapshot · trend vs ~7d prior when data allows.
Value
885
Rank
#465
Pos rank
#67
7d trend
+6.2% (7d vs prior)
Value history (90d)
One snapshot point per calendar day (shown in your timezone).
Latest: Jul 24, 2026 · 885
News
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
QB · PHI
transaction
Waiver: Cole Payton added
sleeper-tx-waiver+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Cole Payton
analyst
Can Cole Payton Develop into a High-Value Dynasty Handcuff?
Cole Payton, currently the Eagles' fourth-string QB, has significant long-term dynasty upside due to the expiring contracts of his veteran backups. His dual-threat ability, similar to Jalen Hurts, makes him a potential fantasy-relevant backup and a must-stash in superflex leagues
general
Nick Sirianni is not ready to say whether Andy Dalton or Tanner McKee is Eagles' No. 2 QB
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni stated that the No. 2 quarterback position behind Jalen Hurts is undecided, with Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee currently rotating reps with the second-team offense during offseason practices. The team has not yet made a determination on who will be the primary backup for Week One
QB · PHI
outlook
2026 Season Outlook
sleeper-outlook+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Payton was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 178th overall. The 6-foot-2, 232-pound quarterback out of North Dakota State is fighting an uphill battle in the competition to back up Jalen Hurts, as Philadelphia's crowded QB room also includes Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee. Payton needs some development but has intriguing physical tools (4.56 speed) and a dual-threat skill set, as he threw 16 touchdown passes while adding 13 rushing scores in 2025, albeit against FCS competition
QB · PHI
transaction
Waiver: Cole Payton added, Van Jefferson dropped
sleeper-tx-waiver+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Cole Payton. Drops: Van Jefferson
QB · PHI
transaction
Waiver: Cole Payton added
sleeper-tx-waiver+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Cole Payton
analyst
Dynasty Managers Will Have to be Patient with Cole Payton
Cole Payton, a quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, possesses intriguing dynasty upside due to his speed and athleticism, but his immediate fantasy impact is limited by his current position on the depth chart. Behind Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Andy Dalton, Payton is currently fourth-string. While not projected to make the 53-man roster, his developmental potential and athletic profile suggest he could be a practice squad candidate. His rushing ability offers a theoretical path to a role in an offense that favors the run, but accuracy concerns and a crowded QB room necessitate patience from fantasy managers. Payton is currently a low-risk, late-round rookie draft pick (projected fourth-round), making him a speculative stash for dynasty leagues
general
Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster prediction ahead of OTAs
We’ve recently spent time forecasting the Philadelphia Eagles ’ depth chart for the 2026 NFL season. We started with the offense , moved on to the defense , and then finished up with the special teams unit . With OTAs starting up next week , here’s a prediction of who will actually make the final cut down to 53 players. We’ll continue to make updated projections throughout the rest of the offseason to reflect meaningful developments from practices and preseason games. ( For fun, take a look at my 53-man roster projection from this time last year .) QUARTERBACK: Jalen Hurts , Andy Dalton , Cole Payton (3) [3] The Eagles are expecting more from Hurts as a passer this season. It’ll be very interesting to see how he performs and how his future is impacted. The Eagles won’t trade Tanner McKee just to trade him but the guess here is that a team will eventually make a strong enough offer to acquire him. If McKee is gone, Dalton is clearly QB2. It’s been suggested that Payton could have a small role as a rookie ( Taysom Hill packages and/or Tush Push specialist) but he’ll likely be inactive as the emergency third quarterback … at best. It’s entirely possible he doesn’t even make the roster, just like Kyle McCord didn’t last year. RUNNING BACK: Saquon Barkley , Tank Bigsby , Will Shipley (3) [6] Barkley logged 136 fewer touches in 2025 than he took in 2024, so, it stands to reason he’ll be comparatively fresher for 2026. The question of his success is less about him, though, and more about the offensive line improving upon last season’s disappointment. Bigsby was an excellent ball carrier in limited action last season; he logged 5.9 yards per carry! But the Eagles oddly underutilized him and they shouldn’t do that again this year. The coaching staff seems to like Shipley as a dirty work guy (blocking, special teams) who might also contribute in two-minute drill situations. Dameon Pierce could contend for a roster spot but it doesn’t feel necessary to roster a fourth running back when the team could likely keep such a player on the practice squad. WIDE RECEIVER: DeVonta Smith , Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks , Hollywood Brown , Darius Cooper (5) [11] Smitty is more than ready to take over as WR1 with A.J. Brown soon to be traded. I don’t think it’ll take us long to realize if Lemon is equipped to be a serious contributor as a rookie or not. I’m cautiously optimistic; it’ll be nice to see evidence of his talents translating to the NFL. Wicks is an underrated player who could thrive with more opportunity in Philly than he saw with the Packers . Brown’s deep threat ability and general veteran competence makes him worth keeping around. Wicks and Brown have combined for five career special teams snaps, so, they’re probably not going to help out in that category. The Eagles need to keep around a dirty work guy or two and Cooper showed he’s capable of playing that role last year while also flashing offensive potential. Johnny Wilson was a tough cut here; he was showing promise before suffering a season-ending injury in August. Would like to see him back on the field first before assuming he’ll pick up where he left off. Elijah Moore has never really been a special teams guy and there are too many players ahead of him on offense, so, he’s more realistically looking at a practice squad spot unless there are injury issues. The Eagles could try to have Britain Covey begin the season on the practice squad, which they’ve done in the past, and use up his temporary elevations early on to be their punt returner. Doing so would buy them time to open up a spot for him if they want him to stay around for the rest of the season. TIGHT END: Dallas Goedert , Eli Stowers , Johnny Mundt , Cameron Latu (4) [15] Goedert is still more than a capable pass-catcher but it remains to be seen what the Eagles will get out of him as a blocker. Stowers might have a smaller role than expected as a rookie; his college coaching staff only trusted him as a part-time p [... truncated ...]
QB · PHI
transaction
Waiver: Cole Payton added
sleeper-tx-waiver+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Cole Payton
QB · PHI
transaction
Waiver: Cole Payton added, Gardner Minshew dropped
sleeper-tx-waiver+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Cole Payton. Drops: Gardner Minshew
QB · PHI
transaction
Waiver: Cole Payton added, Joe Flacco dropped
sleeper-tx-waiver+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Cole Payton. Drops: Joe Flacco
QB · PHI
transaction
Waiver: Cole Payton added
sleeper-tx-waiver+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Cole Payton
QB · PHI
transaction
Waiver: Cole Payton added
sleeper-tx-waiver+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Cole Payton
QB · PHI
transaction
Waiver: Cole Payton added
sleeper-tx-waiver+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Cole Payton
QB · PHI
trending
Cole Payton heavily added (#18)
Sleeper trending/add: Cole Payton (13335) count=5784 (Δ5784 vs prior poll)
QB · PHI
transaction
FA: Cole Payton added, Derek Carr dropped
sleeper-tx-free_agent+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Cole Payton. Drops: Derek Carr
QB · PHI
analyst
Cole Payton - Punches ticket for Philly
sleeper-rotowire+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
The Eagles selected Payton in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 178th overall. Payton finally took over the starting job at North Dakota State in his fifth season and looked excellent, completing 72 percent of passes for 2,719 yards (12.1 YPA), 16 touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing 136 times for 777 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has a strong arm that still needs some tuning with its accuracy, but his legs are phenomenal. Payton had six carries of 30-plus yards in 2025 before running a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3, 232 pounds at the NFL Combine. His tools are rare, but his lack of experience is a concern and can easily remind us of former NDSU quarterback Trey Lance. However, Payton is less risky as a fifth-round pick (Lance went third overall), meaning the Eagles can take their time with his development while Jalen Hurts remains the starter. The Eagles also have quarterbacks Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton on the roster, and one of those two will need to get cut for Payton to make the 53-man roster
QB · PHI
analyst
Cole Payton selected No. 178 by Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have selected QB Cole Payton with the No. 178 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Philadelphia Eagles have a history of developing backup quarterbacks. Cole Payton might be the next on the list, but he will have to beat out Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton for a roster spot behind Jalen Hurts on the depth chart
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