2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Name: Eli Stowers

Position: Tight End

School: Vanderbilt University Height/Weight: 6’4”, 235 lbs

Class: Senior (2025 season)

Hometown: Denton, TX High School: Denton Guyer High School

Recruiting Rank: 4-star recruit, top-300 nationally (247Sports), top TE prospect in Texas (2021 class)

Draft Projections (as of February 2026):

• ESPN (Mel Kiper Big Board, updated February 2026) → TE5

• Pro Football Network (PFSN Big Board, February 2026) → TE7

• PFF (Big Board, updated February 2026) → TE4, No. 120 overall

• NFL.com (prospect profile) → Day 3 projection

• NFL Draft Buzz (profile) → TE3, early round

• Consensus (NFL Mock Draft Database, February 2026) → TE5, ~130 overall (Expected: 4th round, range 3rd-5th)

Career Background

A four-star recruit from Denton Guyer High School in Texas, Stowers began his career at Texas A&M (2021–2022) as a quarterback/tight end with limited action. He transferred to New Mexico State in 2023, where he played both QB and TE, recording 35 receptions for 366 yards and 2 TDs while adding rushing and passing contributions.

He transferred to Vanderbilt in 2024 and broke out as the Commodores’ top tight end, posting 49 receptions for 638 yards and 5 TDs in 2024. In 2025, he started all 12 games and led the team with 62 receptions for 769 yards and 4 TDs. He declared for the 2026 NFL Draft in January 2026 after a strong Senior Bowl week.

Career Stats

• 2021–2022 (Texas A&M) → Limited action (QB/TE)

• 2023 (New Mexico State) → 35 rec / 366 yds / 2 TDs (also QB stats: 2/4, 17 yds, 1 TD; 28 rush yds, 2 TDs)

• 2024 (Vanderbilt) → 49 rec / 638 yds / 5 TDs

• 2025 (Vanderbilt) → 62 rec / 769 yds / 4 TDs

• Career Totals (4 Seasons) → 146 rec / 1,773 yds / 11 TDs

Advanced Stats (2025):

• PFF Overall Offensive Grade → 71.8

• PFF Receiving Grade → 70.5

• QB RTG When Targeted → 105.2

• Receptions/Targets → 62/95 (65.3%)

• Contested Catch → 7 rec / 12 targ (58.3%)

• Drops → 3 (on 95 targets)

• Yards After Catch → 198 (3.2 per rec / ~26% of total yards)

• Missed Tackles Forced → 6 (solid YAC creator)

• Inline Rate → 24.9% (83 snaps) / Slot & Wide Heavy Usage

Awards and Accolades High School:

• All-District honors

• Consensus 4-star College:

• Honorable Mention All-SEC (2025)

• Key contributor on Vanderbilt bowl team (2025)

Character and Leadership

Stowers is praised by coaches for his reliability and work ethic, with Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea calling him a “steady leader” who sets the tone in the tight end room through preparation and accountability. Teammates note his positive influence and willingness to mentor younger players after multiple transfers and injuries early in his career.

No disciplinary problems or off-field incidents emerged; analysts portray him as composed and committed. Academic details are limited, with no major or GPA reported. No arrests, legal issues, suspensions, or off-field red flags reported across ESPN, local media, police records, or draft sources. He is viewed as a positive locker-room presence and dedicated professional-in-the-making.

Injuries

Stowers missed significant time in 2022 and 2023 with lower-body injuries that limited his development at Texas A&M and New Mexico State. He fully recovered by 2024 and played all games at Vanderbilt. In 2025, he was fully healthy and started all 12 games without reported absences. Scouts note the early injury history but see no chronic issues, with full medical clearance expected at the Combine.

Play Style

Stowers is a versatile move tight end who lines up in the slot and inline. He wins with length, body control, and reliable hands, creating mismatches against linebackers. He’s a solid blocker in space and shows YAC ability. Fits modern spread offenses that use TEs as chess pieces; comps include Isaiah Likely (YAC threat) with shades of Evan Engram (athleticism).

Strengths

1.  Route Nuance — Sharp stems and adjustments; wins at the top of routes.

2.  Ball Skills — Natural hands catcher; adjusts well in traffic.

3.  YAC Ability — Vision and power after the catch.

4.  Positional Versatility — Lines up in slot, H-back, outside abd moves around formation.

5.  Reliability — Low drop rate and consistent effort.

Weaknesses

1.  Inline Limitations — Used primarily as a move tight end and not a focal point in the run game

2.  Blocking Refinement — Needs work anchoring vs. bigger defenders.

3.  Contested Reliability — Can improve 50/50 rate under pressure

4.  Injury History — Early lower-body issues; monitor durability.

5.  Slightly undersized - QB transitioned to TE and has maxed out his frame physically

Final Evaluation

Eli Stowers is a solid TE5 in the 2026 class and a Day 3 talent with reliable route-running and YAC ability. Cross-referencing PFF, PFN, ESPN, NFL.com, and The 33rd Team shows consensus on his scheme versatility and low-error rate as foundational traits. While production was modest in Vanderbilt’s offense, his efficiency and blocking upside suggest immediate rotational value.

In modern NFL offenses that deploy TEs as chess pieces (think Likely/Engram hybrids), Stowers projects as a dependable contributor who adds receiving flashes over time. He carries Day 2 value and could rise early with strong testing.

Sources

• ESPN (Mel Kiper Big Board, prospect profiles)

• PFF (2025 grades from your CSV export, receiving analysis)

• Pro Football Network (Big Board, scouting reports)

• NFL.com (prospect profile, Lance Zierlein)

• NFL Draft Buzz (full profile)

• Vanderbilt Athletics / Sports-Reference (bio, stats, accolades)

• The 33rd Team / Daft on Draft / A to Z Sports (detailed scouting reports)

• Local media (Vanderbilt Hustler, 247Sports) for character and injury context NFL Draft/College Football