Eli Stowers Draft Evaluation | Freak Athlete Tight End

Eli Stowers is one of the most unique offensive weapons in the 2026 NFL Draft class. The Vanderbilt tight end began his college career as a quarterback at Texas A&M before transitioning to tight end at New Mexico State and eventually transferring to Vanderbilt, where he became one of the most productive receiving tight ends in the SEC. At 6’4”, 239 pounds, Stowers brings rare athletic traits for the position. He ran a 4.51 forty-yard dash and recorded a 45.5-inch vertical jump at the combine — one of the best jumps ever recorded across any position. That explosiveness shows up on film with impressive change-of-direction ability, vertical speed down the seam, and dangerous run-after-catch ability. While he only played tight end for three seasons and is still developing as a route runner, the upside is clear. Stowers operates more like a big slot receiver or hybrid pass catcher than a traditional inline tight end, creating matchup problems for both linebackers and defensive backs. In this film breakdown, we look at: Elite athletic traits and combine testing Route running flashes and areas for refinement Vertical threat ability Run-after-catch explosiveness Catch-point ability and ball skills Overall NFL Draft projection Evaluate Eli Stowers and view other draft grades on We-Draft.com.