Jets Predicted to Add North Dakota State QB Cole Payton

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North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton throwing a pass during a drill at the 2026 NFL Combine.

The New York Jets could take their quarterback shot on day three of the 2026 NFL draft.

The Pro Football Network posted a seven-round mock draft on its website. One of the most interesting picks was the Jets being predicted to select North Dakota State QB Cole Payton with the No. 140 overall pick in the fourth round.

Payton, 23, will turn 24 during his rookie season in 2026. He is listed at 6-foot-3 and weighs 232 pounds.

“Payton is a dual-threat, single-season FCS starter with good size. He’s a lefty with shoddy mechanics and subpar arm talent, but he still manages to deliver throws with touch to all three levels. He lacks drive velocity to dot throws into tight windows and might not have the timing needed to outfox pro zone defenders, though. He’s not shifty but excels when short yardage is needed and has build-up speed for explosive runs once he gets rolling. Payton projects as a QB3 and will require packaged plays to take advantage of his rushing ability until he proves himself a functional pocket passer,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote.

ESPN Analyst Connects the Dots Between Jets and Payton

Ben Solak of ESPN did a unique exercise. He found the “ideal landing spots” for every draftable quarterback in the 2026 NFL draft.

Interstingly he also connected the dots between the Jets and Payton. He explained that the No. 179 overall pick in the fifth round would be the perfect time for the Jets to snag Payton.

This past season, Payton completed 72% of his passes, threw for 2,719 passing yards, had a 16 touchdown to four interception ratio, and added 13 rushing touchdowns.

“Another read I have on the Jets: Coach Aaron Glenn likes quarterback mobility. His defenses have historically struggled with mobile QBs — defensive coaches gravitate on offense toward what gives them trouble on defense –, and he was quick to advocate for Justin Fields as the first stopgap option in New York. Payton was a Taysom Hill-like playmaker for North Dakota State over his college career, rushing 84 times for 13 touchdowns in 2023 in sub packages behind starter Cam Miller,” Solak wrote.

“I really like Payton as a Day 3 option accordingly. He provides short-yardage value as an option quarterback, with a bulky frame and great tackle-breaking ability. Most QB runners are long striders who avoid contact, but Payton can actually run through it like a goal-line back. As a one-year starter, the lefty showed a good willingness to test intermediate and downfield windows. Payton has a huge dip in his throwing motion, and retooling his release into a quicker motion would help make up for average ball velocity. He isn’t ready for a full dropback menu right now, but there’s a legit ceiling here for a guy who has flashed pro-style throws in limited opportunities,” Solak explained.

Geno Smith is the starting quarterback for the Jets in 2026. However, a creative offensive coordinator could find some unique ways to utilize Payton in sub-packages.

Fields was unwilling to contribute in that way after being demoted from the starting lineup last season. You’d figure Payton would be more open to it.

An Interesting Read on the Jets Situation

“I am doubtful that the Jets will make an early investment at quarterback in this draft. Perhaps they really love one of the non-Mendoza quarterbacks and want to take the swing on Simpson, Nussmeier, or Beck. Given the patience general manager Darren Mougey has exhibited so far at the helm, I think a starting job for Geno Smith and an exploratory, late-round stab at a developmental QB make far more sense,” Solak wrote.

The Jets have nine picks in the 2026 NFL draft. There has been debate about when the Jets should pull the trigger on a QB. It doesn’t appear that there is a clear-cut answer beyond Fernando Mendoza.

There is Mendoza, a large gap, Simpson, and then another large gap in terms of QB rankings. The Jets should only take a flyer on Simpson if they love him because the treasure chest of assets in 2027 awaits.

The Jets could simply find a way to get through 2026 without investing too many premium resources. Then strike while the iron is hot in 2027.

“Payton is unlikely to see enough game action (or produce enough if he does) to deter the Jets from investing early in a 2027 draft class QB1. If he does hit, he has a high dual-threat ceiling profile in the mold of Jalen Hurts. Of all the gambles a team could take on Day 3, Payton is my favorite,” Solak added.

A day three investment is low risk versus high reward. If it doesn’t pan out, who cares, go get your guy next year. However, if it does pan out, the Jets now have a bounty of resources to build around a young QB.

Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.