WR Jermaine Burton To Participate In Bills’ Rookie Camp
Former Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton is set to participate in the Bills’ rookie minicamp, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Burton, 24, was a third-round pick in 2024 and arrived in Cincinnati with the hopes of becoming a reliable complement to star wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. He played little as a rookie (only 131 snaps over 14 games) and caught just four of his 14 targets for 107 yards. Pre-draft concerns about his character and maturity turned out to be well-founded. Burton was accused of assault in December and did not travel with the team for their season finale in Pittsburgh due to a coach’s decision.
The Bengals hoped Burton could turn things around in 2025, but he did not appear in a single game. He was suspended in Week 14, waived shortly after, and received virtually no interest this offseason until the Bills came calling.
At Buffalo’s rookie camp, Burton will have to first earn a 90-man roster spot by showing he can still be the player who led the SEC with 20.5 yards per reception in 2023 – without the off-field issues. The Bills’ current wide receiver room is headlined by D.J. Moore and Khalil Shakir with Josh Palmer serving as the No. 3, though fourth-round pick Skyler Bell could push for a role as a rookie.
At present, Burton does not even factor into that equation, but the talent is there. He is still relatively young and will come cheap until and unless he proves he truly belongs in the NFL.
5 Key Stories: 4/19/26 – 4/26/26
As always, the NFL draft produced a number of interesting developments with rookie selections as well as veteran player movement. In case you missed some of the top stories from around the league this past week, here is a quick recap:
- Draft Produces Rams’ Simpson Pick, Other Surprises: It did not take long for the second quarterback to come off the board on Thursday night, with the Rams taking Ty Simpson 13th overall. Many were surprised by Los Angeles’ decision, one which will provide the team with a Matthew Stafford successor if things pan out. Connections with the Alabama passer persisted through the lead-in to the draft, but the Rams were expected to target more immediate help for an attempted Super Bowl run in 2026. Instead, general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay agreed to proceed with the Simpson selection. Other notable draft developments included highly-rated cornerback Jermod McCoy dropping to the Raiders in the fourth round due to medical concerns along with several teams making depth QB investments (such as the Steelers with Drew Allar and the Chiefs with Garrett Nussmeier).
- Eagles, Vikings Finalize Greenard Trade: The Eagles were known to be seeking a pass rush addition well before the draft started. During the event’s second day, to little surprise, a trade agreement was reached with the Vikings to acquire the former Pro Bowler. Greenard and a 2026 seventh-round pick went to Philadelphia for a pair of third-rounders (this year and next). Upon arrival with the Eagles, Greenard – who had been seeking a raise in Minnesota – agreed to a four-year, $100MM extension. The 28-year-old is in line to collect $50MM guaranteed as a result of the new deal. Greenard (who totaled 24.5 sacks between the 2023 and ’24 seasons) will be tasked with helping replace the edge rush production lost when Jaelan Phillips departed in free agency.
- No Cowboys Extension, Trade Expected For Pickens: Shortly before the first round began, it was learned the Cowboys will not negotiate with wideout George Pickens on a long-term deal. The franchise tag recipient has until mid-July to sign an extension, but none will be forthcoming unless talks resume. Pickens, 25, is set to sign his tender and thus become eligible for a trade. However, Dallas does not intend to move on in this case. The Cowboys are scheduled to pay Pickens $27.3MM in 2026, making him an expensive partner for CeeDee Lamb next season. Keeping that tandem in place for the long term would cost even more, and it remains to be seen if the team is prepared to do so. Meanwhile, Pickens signing the tag will obligate him to attend events like mandatory minicamp in June and training camp the following month.
- Williams Agrees To New 49ers Deal: The 49ers managed to accomplish their goal of settling the Trent Williams situation in time for the draft. Team and player agreed to a two-year, $50MM extension. The new deal contains $37MM in guarantees and will set up Williams to continue serving as San Francisco’s left tackle through at least 2027. The 12-time Pro Bowler was in line to carry an untenable cap charge for this season without a new agreement, and he managed to secure a notable figure in terms of locked-in compensation once more. Williams is entering his age-38 campaign, but he will be expected to remain one of the league’s top blockers deep into his career. Doing so would go a long way in helping the 49ers return to the playoffs in 2026.
- Reed Lands Packers Extension: Jayden Reed was set to enter 2026 as the final year of his rookie contract. A potential free agent departure will not be taking place, though, with the fourth-year wideout agreeing to a Packers extension. Green Bay authorized $50.25MM in new money on a three-year contract, including $20MM guaranteed. Reed, 26, later this month, is thus under team control through 2029. He was limited to just seven games last season, but a return to full health could see Reed reprise his role as a focal point in Green Bay’s passing game. The Packers traded away Dontayvion Wicks, whereas Reed is joined by Christian Watson as a member of the team’s young receiving corps who has landed a deal beyond his rookie pact.
T Donovan Smith Retires
Donovan Smith‘s playing career has officially come to an end. The veteran left tackle announced on Sunday that he has retired at the age of 32.
“Dear Football,” Smith wrote in his announcement. “When I first started out this journey in 7th grade, I didn’t know what the other side would hold… Football has made me feel and experience every emotion imaginable.
“Thank you to all that has helped me through the years along my football career. It has allowed me to grow and experience life in ways I can’t put into words.”
Smith entered the NFL as a second-round pick of the Buccaneers. He immediately handled starting duties on the blindside, a role he went on the hold for eight years. Smith totaled 124 appearances during the regular season with Tampa Bay, starting all of them. He also handled the left tackle gig for each of the Bucs’ seven playoff games from 2020-22. That span included the team’s Super Bowl LV victory.
Durability was a constant for most of Smith’s Tampa Bay tenure, although he missed four games in 2022. One of the team’s cost-shedding moves during the 2023 offseason was the decision to proceed with a release, something which made him a free agent for the first time. Shortly after the draft, Smith signed with the Chiefs on a one-year deal. That made him Kansas City’s stopgap left tackle for the year, and was a starting presence who helped the team win Super Bowl LVIII.
Smith was not retained following the Chiefs’ championship, although the offensive tackle spot remained an issue afterwards. When the team was considering in-seasons signings to fill in on the blindside in 2024, Smith was weighed as an option. In the end, though, he was not brought back. After spending the rest of the year unsigned, the Penn State product was once again a free agent through all of 2025. The initial waves of this year’s free agency – along with the draft – are now in the books, and Smith will officially turn his attention to his post-playing days.
In all, Smith made 147 combined regular and postseason appearances in the NFL. In addition to his two Super Bowl titles, he amassed over $66MM in career earnings.
Saints To Sign LB Anfernee Jennings
Anfernee Jennings saw his Patriots tenure come to an end last month. The veteran linebacker has managed to line up his next gig immediately after the draft, though.
Jennings has agreed to a deal with the Saints, as first reported by Nick Underhill of New Orleans.Football. Numerous free agent signings can be expected after Monday, since that is the point where the 2027 compensatory pick formula is no longer affected. Since Jennings was cut earlier this offseason, however, he was free to sign at any time without impacting the Saints’ outlook in that regard.
A third-round pick in 2020, Jennings spent each of his first six years (and five seasons) in New England. He joined the team as a middle linebacker but also saw time on the edge over time. Jennings served as a full-time starter in 2023 and ’24, but the arrival new head coach Mike Vrabel resulted in a drop in defensive playing time. The Alabama product handled a snap share of just 33% in 2025, although he managed a pair of sacks during the season (and another two during New England’s run to the Super Bowl).
Jennings was cut in March in a move which came as little surprise since he was a trade candidate leading up to the deadline. The 28-year-old will look to earn at least a rotational role upon arrival in New Orleans, a team which made an addition to its front seven yesterday. During Day 3 of the draft, the Saints swung a trade with the Raiders for edge rusher Tyree Wilson. He and Jennings will be in place for OTAs as they attempt to earn a spot with New Orleans.
The Saints entered Sunday with nearly $14MM in cap space. That figure will be reduced once the team’s draft class is signed, while the acquisitions of Wilson and now Jennings point further to New Orleans choosing to move on from Cameron Jordan. The franchise icon remains unsigned at this time, and general manager Mickey Loomis noted the draft would play a role in determining how the team proceeded with respect to a re-signing.
New Orleans did not select any edge rushers or linebackers this weekend. With Wilson and Jennings in place, though, the team has added depth at that spot entering spring practices. It will be interesting to see how things play out with Jordan moving forward.
Chargers Add 18 Undrafted Free Agents
The Chargers put the finishing touches on an eight-player draft class on Saturday. After quickly getting to work in the undrafted market, the Chargers announced 18 new rookie additions Sunday. Here is the list:
- Noah Avinger, S (Utah)
- Lander Barton, LB (Utah)
- Jerand Bradley, TE (Kansas State)
- Sincere Brown, WR (Colorado)
- Jahmeer Carter, DL (Virginia)
- Gregory Desrosiers, RB (Memphis)
- Devin Grant, S (Syracuse)
- Jacobian Guillory, DL (Louisiana State)
- Niles King, OLB (San Diego State)
- Devonte Ross, WR (Penn State)
- Rodney Shelley, CB (Georgia Tech)
- Avery Smith, CB (Toledo)
- Jacob Spomer, C (Fresno State)
- Evan Svoboda, TE (Wyoming)
- Nadame Tucker, OLB (Western Michigan)
- Terry Webb, DL (Southern Methodist)
- Jeremiah Wilson, CB (Florida State)
- Isaiah World, T (Oregon)
Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked four of these players among his 300 best prospects entering the draft. At No. 181, Smith was highest on the pre-draft list. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Smith played four years at Toledo, where he was in the same secondary as Eagles 2024 first-round cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and Browns 2026 second-round safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren for various periods. Smith made second-team All-MAC in each of his final two seasons with the Rockets. He combined for 100 tackles, 25 passes defensed and three interceptions in that 26-game span. While Smith mostly lined up on the outside in college, Brugler expects him to work as a nickel corner if he makes it to the NFL.
The Chargers can take their time with World (No. 199), a four-year college starter who is recovering from a serious injury. After spending four years at Nevada, World transferred to Oregon ahead of the 2025 campaign. He went on to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors as the Ducks’ left tackle, but the 6-8, 318-pounder’s season ended in brutal fashion. World tore his left ACL in a loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff in January. The injury took a sledgehammer to World’s draft stock, but he now in position to develop behind the Chargers’ elite tackle duo of Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt.
Tucker (No. 236) is reuniting with new Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary, who held the same position at Western Michigan in 2025. Their one-year partnership at the college level could not have gone any better. Tucker posted jaw-dropping numbers (21 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks) en route to MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. While Tucker was excellent at WMU, he mustered just 1.5 tackles for loss and went without a sack at Houston in 13 games from 2022-24. Also a former junior college player, Tucker will already be 26 when the season starts. Nevertheless, “his high-effort pass rush can earn him a subpackage role” in the pros, Brugler writes. Tucker will earn a guaranteed $287,500 on his undrafted deal, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.
Barton, 286th in Brugler’s rankings, joined the Chargers on a $264,500 guarantee (via Wilson). The former Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2022) recorded 208 tackles, 17 TFL, eight sacks and five INTs over 46 games and 34 starts at Utah. Some teams regard the 6-4, 233-pound as a potential tight end convert, per Brugler, but the Chargers announced him as a linebacker. He is the brother of Titans linebacker Cody Barton and free agent offensive tackle Jackson Barton.
Rams Not Closing Door On Jimmy Garoppolo
Free agent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is weighing retirement at the age of 34. Garoppolo spent the past two seasons with the Rams, who seemingly replaced him this week with the surprising selection of No. 13 overall pick Ty Simpson. However, if Garoppolo decides to play in 2026, head coach Sean McVay is not ruling out re-signing the 12-year veteran.
On whether the Rams have closed the door on Garoppolo, McVay said (via Mike Florio of PFT): “I wouldn’t say that. I don’t want to say completely closed, but I would say this. You guys know how much I appreciate Jimmy and what he could really do. I always viewed him as a starting-caliber quarterback.”
McVay added that Simpson’s presence “probably lessens the level of urgency” to address the position. The Rams have an MVP-winning signal-caller in Matthew Stafford, who is nearing an extension ahead of his age-38 season. Unless the Rams re-sign Garoppolo or add another passer, the untested Stetson Bennett is expected to compete with Simpson for the No. 2 job. Bennett joined the Rams as a fourth-rounder in 2023. Three years later, the former Georgia starter and two-time national champion has yet to take a regular-season snap in the NFL.
It goes without saying that Stafford and Simpson are locks for roster spots. It may be preferable to have Garoppolo or another experienced third option over Bennett, though the Rams have rarely needed a Stafford sub in recent seasons. Concussions and a neck injury limited Stafford to nine games in 2022, but he has missed just three since then.
The 2025 campaign was the second 17-game season of Stafford’s superb five-year Rams tenure. That left just 18 snaps for Garoppolo, who went a year without attempting a pass for the first time. While Garoppolo is now one of the most established QBs left on the open market, whether he will re-sign with the Rams or go to another team is up in the air.
Saints To Acquire OLB Tyree Wilson From Raiders
A former top-10 pick chosen two Raider regimes ago, Tyree Wilson will not play for Klint Kubiak. The Raiders are trading the fourth-year edge rusher to the Saints, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report.
The Raiders will receive No. 150 from the Saints in exchange for Wilson and a seventh-round pick (No. 219 overall), Rapoport adds. New Orleans will now decide on Wilson’s fifth-year option, which was not expected to be exercised by Las Vegas.
With the 150th pick, the Raiders are selecting safety Dalton Johnson, reuniting him with Arizona teammate and second-round pick (No. 38 overall) Treydan Stukes. Las Vegas has now rebuilt a room that entered the draft with just two players: Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao. Both started for the Raiders in 2025, but they only have one year remaining on their contracts. Stukes will have a role right away, and in a rebuilding year, the team may also give Johnson some playing time to see what he can do and how he can develop.
New Orleans was in the Kayvon Thibodeaux market, with Rapoport indicating the team spoke with the Giants on the former No. 5 overall pick. But with New York not budging on compensation, the Saints moved on and will add Wilson. The latter has not shown comparable form to Thibodeaux, but the draft pedigree is similar. The Raiders chose Wilson seventh overall out of Texas Tech in 2023.
Wilson has never gotten close to living up to that billing. He has just seven career sacks with never more than two in a single season. He has been more productive against the run with 22 tackles for loss, including 10 in the last two years.
The 25-year-old will add depth to the Saints’ stable of edge rushers, which currently lacks proven talent outside of Chase Young and Carl Granderson. Despite having the size to flip to the interior as a pass rusher, Wilson has rarely been used in that role. His new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley could attempt to unlock some versatility to get more production out of the 6-foot-6, 275-pound defender.
2026 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
Here is every team’s haul from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, No. 3: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
- Round 2, No. 34: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 65: Carson Beck (QB, Miami)
- Round 4, No. 104: Kaleb Proctor (DT, Southeastern Louisiana)
- Round 5, No. 143: Reggie Virgil (WR, Texas Tech)
- Round 6, No. 183: Karson Sharar (LB, Iowa)
- Round 7, No. 217: Jayden Williams (T, Ole Miss)
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 2, No. 48: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
- Round 3, No. 79: Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia)
- Round 4, No. 134 (from Raiders)*: Kendal Daniels (LB, Oklahoma)
- Round 6, No. 208 (from Bills via Jets and Raiders): Anterio Thompson (DT, Washington)
- Round 6, No. 215) (from Eagles)*: Harold Perkins (LB, LSU)
- Round 7, No. 231: Ethan Onianwa (T, Ohio State)
Baltimore Ravens
- Round 1, No. 14: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
- Round 2, No. 45: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
- Round 3, No. 80: Ja’Kobi Lane (WR, USC)
- Round 4, No. 115: Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana)
- Round 4, No. 133 (from 49ers)*: Matthew Hibner (TE, SMU)
- Round 5, No. 162 (from Chargers): Chandler Rivers (CB, Duke)
- Round 5, No. 173*: Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 174*: Adam Randall (RB, Clemson)
- Round 6, No. 211 (from Broncos via Jets, Vikings and Eagles): Ryan Eckley (P, Michigan State)
- Round 7, No. 250: Rayshaun Benny (DT, Michigan)
- Round 7, No. 253: Evan Beerntsen (G, Northwestern)
Buffalo Bills
- Round 2, No. 35 (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
- Round 2, No. 62: Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
- Round 4, No. 102 (from Raiders): Jude Bowry (T, Boston College)
- Round 4, No. 125 (from Bears via Chiefs and Patriots): Skylar Bell (WR, UConn)
- Round 4, No. 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB, TCU)
- Round 5, No. 167 (from Texans): Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina)
- Round 5, No. 181 (from Lions)*: Zane Durant (DT, Penn State)
- Round 7, No. 220 (from Jets): Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Eagles via Jaguars, Browns and Bears): Tommy Doman (P, Florida)
- Round 7, No. 241 (from Bears): Ar’maj Reed-Adams (G, Texas A&M)
Carolina Panthers
- Round 1, No. 19: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
- Round 2, No. 49 (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
- Round 3, No. 83: Chris Brazzell II (WR, Tennessee)
- Round 4, No. 129 (from Bears): Will Lee III (CB, Texas A&M)
- Round 5, No. 144 (from Titans via Panthers): Sam Hecht (C, Kansas State)
- Round 5, No. 151 (from Dolphins): Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State)
Chicago Bears
- Round 1, No. 25: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
- Round 2, No. 57: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
- Round 3, No. 69 (from Giants via Texans, Bills and Titans): Sam Roush (TE, Stanford)
- Round 3, No. 89: Zavion Thomas (WR, LSU)
- Round 4, No. 124 (from Jaguars via Panthers): Malik Muhammad (CB, Texas)
- Round 5, No. 166 (from 49ers via Eagles and Panthers): Keyshaun Elliott (LB, Arizona State)
- Round 6, No. 213 (from Seahawks via Jaguars, Lions and Bills): Jordan Van Den Berg (DT, Georgia Tech)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Round 2, No. 41: Cashius Howell (DE, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 72: Tacario Davis (CB, Washington)
- Round 4, No. 128 (from Texans via Lions and Bengals): Connor Lew (C, Auburn)
- Round 4, No. 140 (from Bengals): Colbie Young (WR, Georgia)
- Round 6, No. 189: Brian Parker II (C, Duke)
- Round 7, No. 221 (from Giants via Cowboys): Jack Endries (TE, Texas)
- Round 7, No. 226: Landon Robinson (DT, Navy)
Cleveland Browns
- Round 1, No. 9 (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah)
- Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Round 3, No. 86 (from Chargers): Austin Barber (T, Florida)
- Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 149 (from Bengals): Justin Jefferson (LB, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Broncos): Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jets via Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, Bills and Broncos): Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas)
- Round 7, No. 248 (from Seahawks): Carsen Ryan (TE, BYU)
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 1, No. 11 (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)
- Round 1, No. 23 (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
- Round 3, No. 92 (from 49ers): Jaishawn Barham (EDGE, Michigan)
- Round 4, No. 112: Drew Shelton (T, Penn State)
- Round 4, No. 114 (from Falcons via Eagles): Devin Moore (CB, Florida)
- Round 5, No. 137 (from Eagles)*: LT Overton (EDGE, Alabama)
- Round 7, No. 218 (from Titans): Anthony Smith (WR, East Carolina)
Commanders Still Viewed As Brandon Aiyuk’s 2026 Destination; 49ers Not Eyeing Release
The 49ers have reshaped their receiver room this offseason, bringing in veterans and rookies alike. It is still expected that Brandon Aiyuk will never play for San Francisco again, but he is not on the verge of free agency.
Aiyuk did not play at all in 2025, and the 49ers’ decision to void guarantees in his contract paved the way for a potential trade. Suitors are naturally more interested in acquiring the former second-team All-Pro after the 49ers release him, whereas San Francisco would prefer a trade agreement. This situation may not end any time soon, something which was further illustrated on Saturday.
During NFL Network’s draft coverage, Ian Rapoport reported (video link) a release is still expected to eventually take place in this case. He added, to no surprise, the Commanders remain a team with “significant interest” in adding Aiyuk. Washington has previously been mentioned as a logical destination; Aiyuk and quarterback Jayden Daniels were once teammates at Arizona State. Adding a veteran receiver would help boost an offense which will again have Terry McLaurin in 2026 but is without Deebo Samuel (who is unsigned at this point).
When speaking reporters following the draft, 49ers general manager John Lynch confirmed (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner) the team’s plans do not include an Aiyuk release at this time. A trade is still San Francisco’s target. Conversations with interested teams have taken place previously, and they could pick up once more as the offseason progresses. Nevertheless, a holding pattern may be in place until a strong trade offer emerges or the September deadline approaches for the 49ers to proceed with a release before Aiyuk’s option bonus is paid out.
“We’re available. Give us a call,” Lynch said (via Wagoner’s colleague Adam Schefter) when speaking about Aiyuk on Saturday. “And like I said earlier, I think it’s the prudent thing to do. He’s an extremely talented player. He’s been an extremely effective player in our league; situation didn’t work itself out here. That’s not to say that it can’t be rekindled somewhere else. And we’d be happy to do something with anyone if the opportunity presented itself.”
It will be interesting to see if non-Commanders suitors emerge over the coming weeks with the 49ers still aiming to recoup draft capital via a trade. If not, Washington will remain a team to watch closely regarding an Aiyuk signing if/when he becomes a free agent.
Eagles Add NDSU QB Cole Payton In Fifth Round
The Eagles have taken a swing on an athletic quarterback option, drafting North Dakota State dual-threat passer Cole Payton with the 178th pick in the fifth round of the draft. Payton becomes the sixth quarterback off the board and the fourth Bison quarterback drafted since Carson Wentz went second overall in 2016, following in the footsteps of Trey Lance, Easton Stick and Cam Miller.
Jalen Hurts‘ job is clearly secure in Philadelphia at this moment. It appears to be Tanner McKee‘s hold on the backup job that may not be secure.
The Stanford product has made to NFL starts since the Eagles drafted him in the sixth round in three years ago. Both games were meaningless Week 18 contests in each of the past two seasons. In the first, McKee looked fairly effective, completing 27 of 41 pass attempts for 269 yards and two touchdowns in a win. This past season’s start didn’t go as well as he barely completed half his attempts for 241 yards a touchdown and an interception in a loss.
The first sign that changes in the room may be on the way came when the Eagles traded for veteran backup passer Andy Dalton near the start of free agency. Despite not holding a role as a true starting quarterback since his days in Cincinnati, Dalton has made at least one start in all 15 years of his NFL career. Over the course of his most recent three-year stint with the Panthers, Dalton earned seven starts, going 1-6 in those games.
Payton really stuck it out during his time in Fargo, sitting as a backup quarterback for four years until Miller got drafted last year. He made the most of his lone season leading the Bison offense. Though North Dakota State didn’t rely heavily on Payton’s arm, it was reliable when utilized. Payton completed 71.9 percent of his pass attempts for 2,719, averaging 16.9 yards per completion for 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions. On the ground, Payton averaged 5.7 yards per carry en route to 777 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing. While backing up Miller as a redshirt sophomore in 2023, Payton still found his way onto the field, carrying the ball 84 times for 615 yards (7.3 per carry) and 13 scores.
Payton certainly needs polishing before he holds any significant responsibility in the NFL. His throwing motion and dropback mechanics need refinement, and he will have to develop some pocket awareness at the next level. Still, there are a lot of good attributes to build on here. With an athletic frame, strong arm, surprising speed, and unquestionable work ethic, Payton will be an interesting prospect to watch in Philadelphia. Dalton may have been brought in to serve as QB2 in 2026, but with both his and McKee’s contracts expiring at the end of the season, Payton may just be the plan for the future of the role.