NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers

Eli Stowers showcases top-end body control in the air with fantastic post-catch instincts to churn out extra yards whenever he can. The former quarterback shows his football IQ by exploiting zones with feel and spatial awareness.

Stowers was a beneficiary of schemed-up touches in college, but he has continued to refine his top-of-the-route feel and does a nice job creating a touch of separation in his breaks.

The 4-star quarterback recruit and 3-star transfer began his collegiate career at Texas A&M. After two years, he transitioned to tight end and transferred to New Mexico State for a season. Stowers finished his career at Vanderbilt, where he posted 111 receptions for 1,407 yards and nine touchdowns over two seasons.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in our scouting department.

Highlights

Eli Stowers Highlights

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Where He Wins

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— Creates advantageous matchups with his body type as a "big slot." Quick enough to line up on the outside and find some success as well.

— Can create poor angles for pursuit defenders after the catch and make them miss in space. Truly in his element in space and working to create more yards.

— Brings enough speed to threaten the seam while taking defenders' attention, and is more explosive after the catch than when running routes. Has added tactics at the top of his route to create separation to work with.

— Takes advantage of zones underneath and up the seam. Settles down and becomes available for his quarterback when the defense vacates space.

Areas of Improvement

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— A negative in the run game as a blocker. Has poor power at the point of attack, hand usage, and leverage to create movement.

— Possesses a slight frame, which limits his functionality.

— Must improve the physicality he plays with not only as a blocker, but also in dealing with contact throughout the route. Physicality impacts his ability to come down with the ball at the catch point.

— Still growing as a route-runner. Instead of nuance in his stem, there's more wasted movement with his shoulders and route path.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 7.1 (High-Level Backup/Starter Upside — 3rd Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: TE Jake Briningstool, Clemson (7.0 in 2025), TE Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan (6.9 in 2023), TE Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin (6.9 in 2022)

OVERALL RANK: 93

POSITION RANK: TE6

PRO COMPARISON: Jared Cook

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'4"
Weight: 239
Arm Length: 32 ⅝"
Wingspan: 79 ⅔"
Hand Size: 9 ⅔"

40-yard Dash: 4.51
10-yard Split: 1.63
Vertical: 45.5"
Broad: 11'3"
3 Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Bench: N/A