Eli Stowers Scouting Report

If tape, the records, and potential were your only guide, Eli Stowers might be TE1 in many classes. Vanderbilt’s offense has been Eli Stowers for two seasons against a demanding SEC schedule. Stowers is a QB convert with the coveted basketball skills and size that make him an immediate threat to all quarters.

Tape Scouting Report

He makes space in and out of breaks with an uncanny similarity to Tetairoa McMillan or a Drake London. His man routes unfold with similar deft to a power slot WR. And Stowers shows a QB-level mapping of zone windows, adjusting to natural levels and presenting a target to his QB. Against man cover and various squat covers he presents a muscular and urgent attack- frequently using shoulders and elbows to help separate. He has highly efficient feet, useful in close quarters, short motion, and switch concepts. I am probably most impressed by how quickly and easily second level influence came to Stowers, as he can be seen using headfakes and shoulder dekes, and route tempo to keep DBs guessing.

For more see our Tight End Rankings | Cutcall

Athletic Scouting Report

Stowers is an exotic blend of mass, radius, suddenness and power. He’s a tremendous lateral mover, and plus vertical mover. And he owns the best vertical in NCAA TE history. What is more, Eli is certified YAC machine. He adds an extra few yards to most receptions and has the potential to break it if a defender can’t take a clean angle on him. Or even if they do. Eli’s blocking has improved each season, though he is not a Y TE in any form.

Related: 2026 Big Board | Cutcall

Draft Stock Report

Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers is a jumbo, explosive target with upside as big as his catch radius. These skills amount to a true Red Chip grade, even if the NFL’s not there yet. Eli Stowers is a rare, burgeoning talent, early in transition to TE. And he should be given a chance to develop into a WR1/TE1 hybrid somewhere before pick 75.

Athletics

Route Technique

Catch Point

Blocking