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Bleeding Green Nation fantasy football takes on Cole Payton
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Bleeding Green Nation about Cole Payton.
28
Insights
11
Positive
7
Negative
Insight ledger
All Bleeding Green Nation insights about Cole Payton
NegativeUsageAug 24, 2026
Payton was limited to just three snaps, all of which came with less than a minute remaining in the game. The source expects to see plenty of him in the preseason finale.NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026
Payton, a rookie quarterback, entered the game with 57 seconds remaining after Tanner McKee's strong performance, indicating he is third on the Eagles' quarterback depth chart behind Jalen Hurts and the McKee/Dalton competition.NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026
Payton entered the game late and got strip-sacked for a Pats game-sealing recovery. Cameron Williams beat around the edge on Payton's blindside for the sack.NegativeRoleAug 19, 2026
Payton had not many reps today; he completed some short passes before throwing an interception to John Saunders Jr., who jumped a route for the pick.PositiveBreakoutAug 18, 2026
Offensive coordinator Sean Mannion highlighted rookie QB Cole Payton's athleticism on display in the preseason game, noting it was more evident than what they typically see at practice. Mannion said Payton 'ran around, did a nice job' and had some things to clean up, including decision-making smoothness. Despite some nerves on third down and throwing into traffic in his first NFL action, Payton 'really settled in from that point forward and led us on a nice drive to score and get us on the board at the end of the game.'NegativeRoleAug 18, 2026
Backup quarterback was volatile, aggressive, and entertaining in preseason action; completed 4 of 9 passes for 37 yards and a touchdown while adding 45 rushing yards on three attempts; makes aggressive throws that attack windows not really available and trusts his arm, creating both explosive plays and turnover risk; his arm talent and movement skills can produce when original play breaks down, making him ideal for second-half preseason evaluation.PositiveProjectionAug 18, 2026
Payton was described as 'exactly as advertised! Volatile, aggressive, and extremely entertaining.' He completed four of nine passes for 37 yards and a touchdown while adding 45 rushing yards on three attempts. The source characterizes him as a dynamic, aggressive player who brings entertainment value to the preseason game, though the transcript excerpt cuts off before detailing any concerning decision-making.PositiveRoleAug 17, 2026
Rookie QB showed exciting mobility and arm talent in preseason debut against Baltimore, extending plays with his feet and finding receivers downfield; the source notes the Eagles backup QB situation is one to monitor, with trade rumors around Tanner McKee creating an opportunity for Payton to play himself into the QB3 spot through strong preseason performances.PositiveBreakoutAug 17, 2026
Rookie 5th-round pick Cole Payton showed the value of having a mobile QB; his legs brought life to the offense and put points on the scoreboard. He was the only QB to generate a scoring drive in the Eagles-Ravens preseason game, running for 45 yards and throwing for 37 with a TD in the final minutes.NegativeRoleAug 17, 2026
Cole Payton took over at quarterback in the fourth quarter of the preseason game, indicating he is the third-string quarterback.PositiveRoleAug 16, 2026
Fifth-round pick quarterback out of North Dakota State got the Eagles offense rolling late in the preseason game, using his legs to get into striking distance before throwing a TD pass to Erik Ezukanma. His efforts in the final minutes helped the Eagles avert an embarrassing shutout after a lifeless start to the game, providing a bright spot in an otherwise poor offensive showing.PositiveProjectionAug 16, 2026
Backup QB Cole Payton looked the best of the three quarterbacks in the preseason game, completing 4 of 9 passes for 34 yards and a touchdown. He went off script to hit Erik Ezukanma in the corner of the end zone, showing improvisation and efficiency in limited action.PositiveProjectionAug 16, 2026
Payton entered the game with a little over 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter and looked good as a runner. He capped off a 9-play, 59-yard scoring drive with a touchdown pass to Erik Ezukanma, keeping his eyes downfield and showing nice touch on the throw. The source notes this was an impressive outing for the rookie quarterback.NegativeRoleAug 15, 2026
Cole Payton is a rookie who will make his first appearance in a preseason game under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.NegativeProjectionAug 10, 2026
Rookie quarterback did not look sharp in practice; his best pass was dropped by Ezukanma, indicating both performance concerns and lack of supporting cast help.NegativeProjectionAug 10, 2026
Payton is a rookie quarterback who did not look sharp during practice. He also did not get help; his best pass was dropped by Erik Ezukanma. Uar Bernard saw Payton get bull-rushed by Uar Bernard, who drove the right guard back into Payton.PositiveRoleAug 10, 2026
Rookie QB Cole Payton has done a really nice job in training camp according to OC Sean Mannion. Mannion noted a couple of days when Payton needed to better protect the football, but overall is happy with his development. Payton has made tremendous improvement in terms of timing, rhythm, and accuracy, and is doing everything he can with the limited reps he gets.NegativeProjectionAug 9, 2026
The Eagles' fifth-round quarterback out of North Dakota State has shown encouraging signs through eight training camp practices but has also thrown five interceptions despite a limited workload. Payton acknowledged the challenge of NFL-level decision-making, saying 'I've got a lot of confidence in throwing the football. But in the NFL, these windows are a lot tighter and so I've got to take care of the football.' He noted he's 'going through those growing pains but taking the ups and the downs' as he learns the balance between striking and taking check-downs.NegativeRoleAug 9, 2026
Cole Payton began the Eagles' developmental period with a really bad interception thrown to Maximus Pulley—an inadvisable decision and poor throw—but rebounded with a lot of good completions in timing that helped the offense move the ball, showing resiliency and promise as a rookie quarterback.NegativeProjectionAug 6, 2026
The fifth-round pick (No. 178 overall) is showing more intriguing potential than Kyle McCord did last year before being waived. While Payton has thrown interceptions, the source calls them good mistakes because he was being aggressive rather than scared to let it rip. The Eagles shouldn't risk losing Payton to waivers, especially since Hurts is their only other quarterback under contract beyond 2026.NegativeRoleAug 5, 2026
Payton threw another interception in drills, targeting Samari Toure over the middle but the ball was tipped into the air and caught by Tariq Castro-Fields; the observer prefers Payton to be fearless than to look too scared to pull the trigger, but notes that Payton probably has to reign the aggression in a bit as he develops. Payton did connect with a crossing Erik Ezukanma in stride with a throw over the middle.PositiveRoleAug 3, 2026
Payton, a rookie quarterback, continues to be fearless. He took a downfield shot to Erik Ezukanma, connected with Dae'Quan Wright for a catch-and-run touchdown, and more cleanly hit Stone Smartt for a two-point conversion.NegativeProjectionJul 30, 2026
Had a rough outing on Day 2 after impressing on Day 1; threw three interceptions in total. The first one might not have been his fault (bounced off Danny Gray's hands into A.J. Epenesa's hands); the second came on a throw up the seam that looked like it was intended for linebacker Chance Campbell; the third was a throw to rookie Keyshawn James-Newby in the flat for a sure pick six. Elijah Moore. Hurts notes this progression (good Day 1, humbled on Day 2) is interesting and will see if Payton can bounce back.PositiveProjectionJul 30, 2026
Had a rough outing on Day 2 after impressing on Day 1. Threw three interceptions in total. The first one might not have been his fault (unclear if the pass was high of his target); the ball bounced off Danny Gray's hands and into the hands of a diving A.J. Epenesa. The second one came on a throw up the seam that looked like it may as well have been intended for linebacker Chance Campbell. The third one was a throw to fellow rookie Keyshawn James-Newby in the flat for a sure pick six. Elijah Moore. Hurts notes this progression (looking good Day 1, then getting humbled Day 2) is interesting and will see if Payton can bounce back.PositiveRoleJul 29, 2026
Payton, the Eagles' QB4, saw limited action with the third-team offense but made a ballsy attempt over the middle to contested Quez Watkins that was completed in 7-on-7, and on the final play of practice completed a downfield pass to Britain Covey who found the end zone after the catch. The source notes Payton doesn't look scared to pull the trigger, as can be the case with some rookie quarterbacks, and is slowly but surely building the case for the Eagles to keep him as a developmental option.NegativeRoleJul 29, 2026
Payton has enough potential to warrant a third quarterback role on the Eagles' 53-man roster.NegativeDepth ChartJul 29, 2026
Philadelphia could keep its fifth-round rookie quarterback Cole Payton on the roster over Dalton to not expose him to waivers, indicating the Eagles may prioritize protecting the young prospect's development over immediate depth chart competition.NegativeDepth ChartJul 29, 2026
The fifth-round rookie quarterback is a candidate to make the Eagles' roster over Andy Dalton to avoid exposing him to waivers, suggesting the team values his development and long-term potential.