Cole Payton
Cole Payton expects big things in the draft process.
North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton has impressed in the NFL Draft process thus far, and he can take another big step on Saturday with a strong combine performance.
Payton also recently met with two NFC contenders in the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, according to Dom Izzo of the Fargo Forum. Both the Bears and Lions could maximize his skill set despite established starters at quarterback. His size, speed, and power are attracting NFL scouts because teams can utilize Payton in run packages or other offensive sets where they can get him the ball to have him burst through a defense.
His first three seasons at NDSU looked that way since former Bison quarterback Cam Miller was cemented as the starter. Payton rushed for 1,919 yards and 31 touchdowns in his career, and he put up the lion’s share of those numbers before his senior season.
As a passer, Payton developed during his lone year as the starter and threw for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns versus four interceptions.
How Cole Payton Would Fit the Bears or Lions
Either the Bears or Lions could utilize his passing ability for run-pass option plays and take a load off of quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Jared Goff, respectively.
The Lions are a run-heavy team with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and Payton would simply add a new dimension to that and reduce their rushing load. Likewise, the Bears had a strong running game in 2025, and Chicago could use Payton to ease the workload of running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
There’s also speculation that Payton could make sense as a tight end, and both the Bears and Lions could use depth at that position. The Lions could use a reliable tight end behind Sam LaPorta, if he doesn’t get traded. The Bears could use Payton to take the load off of Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet.
Cole Payton Has Unique Advantage at the Combine
When Payton throws on Saturday, he will have a most-familiar receiver on the field with him in fellow Bison Bryce Lance, a former college roommate of Payton’s as Izzo pointed out.
Lance made Payton’s job easier during the 2025 season, as they connected on 51 passes for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns. Overall, Lance has 2,139 yards and 25 touchdowns on 127 receptions in his career.
“The NFL has been a long dream of mine,” Payton said via Izzo. “To keep putting NDSU on the map is a big deal to me and I’m super excited to go out there. I’m excited to change the narrative about my throwing ability and prove to everyone and myself that I’m a legit quarterback prospect.”
Lance can aid that a little on the passing drills on Saturday though Payton’s strong performance at the Senior Bowl plus the 2025 season has proved plenty already. For NDSU, Lance became a household name after his brother, Trey Lance, previously starred at quarterback for the Bison, followed by his time in the NFL.
Their father, Carlton, played in the CFL, and he believes scouts will like what they see in Bryce Lance on Saturday.
“I’m excited for people to see him because he’s just a smooth athlete,” Carlton Lance told Izzo. “The running and jumping stuff, I’m not concerned about that at all. That’s what he does. He can do that. Of course, the 40 (yard dash) is always going to be the big question out there.”