With the NFL draft less than one week away, teams are wrapping up their final meetings, interviews, and visits with prospects.
According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the New York Jets were among the few teams to meet “extensively” with North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton.
During the 2025 season, Payton led North Dakota State to a 12-1 record while putting up elite numbers. He completed 71.9% of his passing attempts, which was the second-best mark in the FCS and the third-highest in NDSU history. The QB also set NDSU single-season records for yards per pass attempt (12.1) and total yards per game (268.9).
The 23-year-old is also a threat on the ground, logging 894 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns last season, flashing his dual-threat ability.
Payton thrives when pushing the ball downfield, completing 35 of his 56 deep pass attempts (62.5%) for 1,247 yards and eight touchdowns against one interception.
Context is everything, however. That level of production came against FCS competition, and it was his only season as a full-time starter. He enters the NFL on the older side for a draft prospect, as he will turn 24 in October.
Ranked No. 124 on Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board, Payton could be a late-round quarterback target for the Jets.
Entering the draft, Gang Green does not have a serviceable QB2 rostered, making it increasingly likely that the team will take a dart throw on someone like Payton in the later rounds.
Ultimately, it will boil down to the team’s preferences in a young QB this year and how early they are willing to invest in the position.
