Processing / Game IQ
Pros:
•Has a lot of experience under center and operating out of the play action
•Solid play fakes
•Makes his own checks, adjustments, and is in command at the LOS
•Gets eyes on the safeties early
•Does a good job stepping up into the pocket
•Makes good reads in RPO
Cons:
•Shown very little to zero second-level or third-level eye manipulation
•Stares down his first reads
•Can be late with his reads
•Post snap reads aren’t the greatest
•Would like to see him get to his checkdowns more often
•Doesn’t throw with anticipation
•Can miss-read defenders occasionally which leads to turnovers or turnover worthy plays
•First read QB that doesn’t get through progressions
Accuracy & Ball Placement
Pros:
•Good accuracy rolling out to his left
•Has exceptional ball placement skills
•Throws accurately at all 3 levels, especially outside the numbers on deep routes
•Shown flashes of controlling velocity
•Can throw a good back shoulder ball
•Can impressively layer some throws over the second level
•Does a decent job placing the ball away from defenders
•Has shown solid touch ability
Cons:
•Accuracy can hinder at times when getting through progressions
Improvisation / Play Extension
Pros:
•Good thrower off the platform
•Keeps eyes downfield when scrambling and pressure in his face
•Very solid scrambler who fights for extra yards consistently
•Doesn’t force his scrambles he is smart and picks and chooses when to use his legs
Cons:
•Gonna need to protect himself a little bit more at the next level
Arm Talent (Strength + Angles)
Pros:
•Can get very solid zip on the ball
•Can rifle a deep ball outside the numbers
•Well above average arm strength
•Doesn’t lose arm strength when throwing off platform
Cons:
•Has to labor a tiny bit when throwing deep
Athleticism / Mobility / Frame
Pros:
•Very solid frame and strength
•Plays a lot stronger than his size
•Runs with a low center of gravity, which allows him to break tackles and truck people
•Has enough speed and athleticism for designed runs and option plays at the next level
•Has the frame to take a hit
•Big enough and strong enough to run QB sneaks
•Can outrun defensive backs and has enough ankle flexion to swerve around corners
•Will do anything to get into the endzone
•Ran a lot of QB powers, sneaks, and options
Cons:
•Not the fastest straight line athlete in the world but it is serviceable
Mechanics / Footwork
Pros:
•Very solid dropback footwork
•Quick release
•Solid when rolling to his opposite side throwing hand
Cons:
•Doesn’t do a good job resetting his feet as a lefty
Poise / Leadership / Toughness
Pros:
•Leader at the LOS and for the team
•Strong competitor
•Willing to make blocks for his teammates
•Can take some shots
•Very tough
Cons:
•A lot of GMs won’t like a lefty QB because of the adjustments that need to be made to the offense and receivers
•23 years old
•Played against lower competition, and teams could be scared to put faith in an FCS QB after Trey Lance
•Only 1 year of starting experience with very limited passing attempts
Games Watched:
•Week 3 vs SEMO / Week 6 vs SIU / Week 8 vs SDST /
Ideal Situation:
•Cole Payton is a strong athlete and carries a good frame. Payton has plenty of talent to be a solid backup at the next level. I don’t anticipate him seeing a starting role in his career unless injuries present themselves. Payton could be a good player to draft for trick plays and option plays similar to how the Saints use Tayson Hill. I could see Payton fitting best with the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, or Las Vegas Raiders.
Rating
•Processing / Game IQ- 6.4/10
•Accuracy & Ball Placement- 7.7/10
•Improvisation / Play Extension- 8.0/10
•Arm Talent (Strength + Angles)- 7.8/10
•Athleticism / Mobility- 8.3/10
•Mechanics / Footwork - 7.3/10
•Poise / Leadership / Toughness- 8.5/10
Total = 76.0/100 Mid to early 3rd round pick
DraftedR5 • P178Philadelphia Eagles