Garrett Burroughs of Vikings Wire notes Payton’s fit as a modern, mobile quarterback who can deliver accurate throws and maneuver under pressure. He also warns that a strong NFL Combine performance could push Payton up boards, potentially making him the second or third quarterback selected—an outcome Burroughs believes would be detrimental to most franchises.
Burroughs compares Payton to Saints tight end/dual-role player Taysom Hill, highlighting Payton’s size (6-foot-2, 221 pounds), mobility, and rushing production (1,919 rushing yards and 31 rushing touchdowns at NDSU). However, he argues Payton lacks starter-level upside and could be limited as a passer, with questions about translating FCS success to the NFL and a tendency to scramble rather than progress through reads.
The analysis also emphasizes Payton’s unfamiliarity with higher levels of competition, noting that North Dakota State’s program operates at a different scale than FBS programs. Burroughs cites concerns about Payton’s ball placement, arm strength, and progression reads, while acknowledging his potential as a developmental, athletic option for a team seeking depth behind a more proven starter.
Payton’s college career at NDSU included significant playing time and a productive season in 2025 before the program’s transition from FCS, but he logged only one full season as a starter. Burroughs suggests that if Payton lands in the NFL with an eye toward development and situational versatility, he could still provide value as a late-round pick, echoing a path similar to Hill’s for occasional spark plays.
Overall, while Payton generates interest for teams seeking athletic upside, the consensus in this assessment is to view him as a Day Three prospect rather than a high-round NFL draft target. The Vikings’ quarterback search could benefit from adding a late-round developmental option who can contribute in specific packages without assuming a starter-level ceiling.
