The Indianapolis Colts hosted quarterback Cole Payton for a pre-draft visit this week, but he isn't the only mid-round quarterback they've visited with.
The Indianapolis Colts continue their due diligence ahead of next week's 2026 NFL Draft, as NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that the Colts hosted North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton for a visit on Monday.
"Former North Dakota State QB Cole Payton is visiting the Colts today, per source," Pelissero posted on X.
The Colts have also visited with LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier recently, and had Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer in for their local pro day last week. Nussmeier is projected to go within Rounds 3-4, and Altmyer is considered a late-round option.
Payton (6'3", 232, 23 years old) is commonly ranked as approximately the third to fifth quarterback in the draft, with his stock ranging anywhere from the second to fourth rounds.
The left-handed passer out of Omaha, NE was only a one-year starter for the Bison, but earned team captain honors in 2025 and was heavily involved for much of five years, often used as a Taysom Hill-style, dual-threat quarterback.
Payton has uncommon athletic traits for the quarterback position, as he ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash (1.57-second 10-yard split), posted a 40-inch vertical, and recorded a 10-foot-10-inch broad jump at the NFL Scouting Combine. Each mark was top-three among quarterbacks.
In 52 career games (13 starts), Payton went 198-of-282 passing (70.2%) for 3,188 yards (11.3 YPA), 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also ran the ball 287 times for 1,918 yards (6.7 avg.) and 31 touchdowns. His 2024 season was cut short after eight games due to a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
As a small-school prospect, Payton has stood out in multiple pre-draft opportunities, including the Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL, in January, and the Combine in Indianapolis in February.
The Colts' quarterback situation remains in flux until the regular season begins.
Starter Daniel Jones will likely be out for the entire offseason while he recovers from a season-ending Achilles injury sustained in Week 14 of 2025. The Colts hope to have him back by the start of the regular season.
Anthony Richardson Sr., the team's No. 4 overall pick in 2023, is on the trade block. Riley Leonard was a rookie sixth-round pick in 2025 but impressed in two games of extended action. The Colts also have 2025 undrafted free agent Seth Henigan on the roster.
The Colts could be looking for someone like Payton or Nussmeier to push Leonard as the team's primary backup to Jones.