Eli Stowers Draft Grade | Round 2, Pick 22 | FanVerdicts

Top 29%Pick Grade

Pick Context

Market Value

Fair Value

Position

TE · Standard Position

Decision Grade reflects market consensus at the moment of the pick. Teams often have private information the consensus does not.

Scouting Report

Big Board Rank: #55 · Day 2 Value

Eli Stowers emerged as one of the SEC's most complete tight end prospects over his three-year career at Vanderbilt, developing from a raw athlete into a polished two-way weapon. The 6-5, 255-pound target became the Commodores' primary red zone threat while showcasing the athleticism and route-running acumen to succeed in 11 personnel packages. His draft stock has steadily climbed after a breakout 2024 campaign where he hauled in 67 catches for 823 yards despite playing in a run-heavy offense. Stowers possesses the rare combination of size, speed, and hands that NFL teams covet, though questions remain about his consistency as an in-line blocker against elite competition. His versatility as both a move tight end and traditional Y-receiver makes him an intriguing early Day 2 selection for teams seeking immediate offensive impact.

Strengths

+Exceptional catch radius with his 6-5 frame and long arms creates a massive target in the red zone and on contested throws.

+Natural hands catcher who plucks the ball away from his body cleanly, rarely allowing passes to hit his chest pads.

+Shows excellent body control and spatial awareness when working back to the quarterback on broken plays or scramble drills.

+Runs precise routes with good footwork, particularly on comeback routes and corner patterns where he uses his size effectively.

+Strong after-catch runner who breaks arm tackles and consistently falls forward for extra yards.

+Solid pass blocker in protection schemes, showing good awareness to pick up blitzing linebackers and defensive backs.

+High football IQ evident in his route adjustments against zone coverage and ability to find soft spots in defensive schemes.

+Versatile alignment flexibility allows him to line up in-line, in the slot, or split wide as a receiver.

+Excellent red zone target with 18 touchdowns over his final two seasons, showing reliable hands in traffic.

+Good release techniques against press coverage, using his length and hand fighting to create separation at the line.

+Demonstrates leadership qualities and strong work ethic that earned respect from teammates and coaching staff.

Weaknesses

-Lacks the elite top-end speed to consistently separate from athletic linebackers and safeties in single coverage.

NFL Comparison: Dallas Goedert

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