Photo by: Zachary Lucy
Lance, Payton Selected in NFL Draft
4/26/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance and quarterback Cole Payton were both selected in the 2026 NFL Draft held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. It was the fourth time in six years the Bison have had multiple draft picks.
Lance, from Marshall, Minn., went to the New Orleans Saints with the 136th overall pick in the fourth round. The Saints already have former NDSU offensive lineman Dillon Radunz and cornerback Jayden Price.
Payton, from Omaha, Neb., went to the Philadelphia Eagles with the 178th pick in the fifth round. He is the fifth NDSU quarterback drafted in the past 11 years, a streak that started in 2016 with the Eagles taking Carson Wentz as the No. 2 overall pick.
Only four players were drafted out of FCS schools in 2026. The other two were Southeastern Louisiana defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor to the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round and Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings to the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round.
At the FBS level, 13 players were drafted from the group of six conferences including the American Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference, Pac-12 Conference and Sun Belt Conference. Navy and Toledo had two picks each and nine other schools had one.
There were 13 players drafted out of NDSU from 2016 through 2026, the ninth-most draft picks among the six conferences. Three additional NDSU graduates were drafted after using their final year of eligibility at FBS schools.
Overall, North Dakota State has produced 21 NFL draft picks in 22 years at the Division I level (2005-2026) and there have been 49 total NFL draft picks in Bison history.
NDSU had 24 former players with NFL clubs during the 2025 season, including six in coaching positions.
Lance, from Marshall, Minn., went to the New Orleans Saints with the 136th overall pick in the fourth round. The Saints already have former NDSU offensive lineman Dillon Radunz and cornerback Jayden Price.
Payton, from Omaha, Neb., went to the Philadelphia Eagles with the 178th pick in the fifth round. He is the fifth NDSU quarterback drafted in the past 11 years, a streak that started in 2016 with the Eagles taking Carson Wentz as the No. 2 overall pick.
Only four players were drafted out of FCS schools in 2026. The other two were Southeastern Louisiana defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor to the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round and Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings to the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round.
At the FBS level, 13 players were drafted from the group of six conferences including the American Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference, Pac-12 Conference and Sun Belt Conference. Navy and Toledo had two picks each and nine other schools had one.
There were 13 players drafted out of NDSU from 2016 through 2026, the ninth-most draft picks among the six conferences. Three additional NDSU graduates were drafted after using their final year of eligibility at FBS schools.
Overall, North Dakota State has produced 21 NFL draft picks in 22 years at the Division I level (2005-2026) and there have been 49 total NFL draft picks in Bison history.
NDSU had 24 former players with NFL clubs during the 2025 season, including six in coaching positions.
Players Mentioned
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