Hey Nerds! Welcome to the Dynasty Nerds 2026 Rookie Profile Series, where we break down the top prospects from the upcoming NFL Draft using the All-22 Film, production data, and dynasty-specific context.
This profile focuses on Eli Stowers, a dynamic tight end prospect out of Vanderbilt. Using the Dynasty Nerds Film Room, we’ll examine Stowers’ background, on-field strengths, areas for development, and projected dynasty outlook in 12-Team SuperFlex PPR formats.
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Eli Stowers | Tight End | Vanderbilt University
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 235 lbs.
Eli Stowers had an extremely interesting journey through the college ranks. Originally recruited as a 4-star QB prospect out of Denton Guyer High School in Denton, Texas, he began his career at Texas A&M. He suited up for a total of 5 games across two seasons with the Aggies. After a disappointing start to his college journey, Stowers decided to transfer to the New Mexico State Aggies. He spent his lone season in Las Cruces transitioning to the tight end position.
It was also while at New Mexico State that he first met and played with Diego Pavia. The pair would transfer to Vanderbilt together and proceed to put the Commodores on the map. Stowers operated as the top pass catcher at the school, leading the team in catches in both 2024 and 2025, being named 1st Team All-SEC in each season. Stowers topped off his college run with career highs in catches and yards and by winning the coveted Mackey Award as the Nation’s Top Tight End.
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Rookie Profile | Strengths And Weaknesses
The first thing you will notice about Stowers is that he is a high-end athlete. Vanderbilt made ample use of splitting Eli out into the slot and getting him on smaller nickel corners. He could also take his route between the hash marks into linebacker territory. When he goes into that area of the field he is far too athletic for linebackers to contend with.
Stowers is a little bit on the light side for an NFL tight end. He is built more like Brock Bowers than Rob Gronkowski. But this is good for our purposes in the dynasty fantasy football community. Stowers will be used as a weapon in the receiving game as opposed to an in-line blocker.
Eli Stowers is an incredibly fluid athlete. He is a strong hands catcher, not allowing the ball to get into his body. Once he catches the ball he is really good at creating yards after the catch. Think about it in this context: Stowers, the Mackey Award winner, averaged an incredible 6.1 yards per catch. That is just off the pace of Biletnikoff recipient Makai Lemon, who averaged 6.4 YPC and is considered one of the more dynamic playmakers in the class.
When you add up the totality of this player you have something really special. You have a pass-catching tight end who is elite with the ball in his hands and has the brain of a former quarterback. Stowers uses his feel for the game to find the soft spots in zone coverage and the ability to sit down, giving his quarterback a safe space to deliver the ball. He will be a quarterback’s best friend just like he was to Diego Pavia.
Eli Stowers | All-22 Film Breakdown
One of the biggest benefits of a Nerd Herd subscription is access to our All-22 Film Room. We have a number of Vanderbilt games available. For this article, the Texas game stands out. The playmaking tight end roasted the Longhorns for 7 catches, 146 yards, and two scores.
You will immediately notice the high percentage of plays that Stowers lines up split out in the slot. The All-22 also shows that he was open a ton in this game—his numbers could have been even bigger. He is such a smooth runner that he almost looks like a big wide receiver. A natural hands catcher with loose hips, he gets in and out of his cuts with ease. There isn’t a whole lot of blocking to look at in the Texas game, but that is to be expected at the next level, too. That said, he does show glimpses of being a willing blocker when needed.
Draft Capital | Potential Landing Spots
I may be on an island here, but Eli Stowers is my TE1 in this class. Many will have his Oregon counterpart Kenyon Sadiq as the top guy. In my estimation, that island got a little sunnier when Stowers took home the Mackey Award this year.
With that in mind, I believe he will be taken in the 2nd Round of the upcoming NFL Draft. The Miami Dolphins or the Kansas City Chiefs would be fantastic and logical landing spots. Based on recent history, 3rd Round draft capital is likely his floor. Excluding Jake Butt, who was drafted after tearing his knee in Michigan’s bowl game, only Harrison Bryant was selected outside of the top three rounds, and he was taken in the 4th. That is an excellent trend for Stowers’ draft outlook.
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🧠 People Also Ask About Eli Stowers
Who is Eli Stowers and why is Eli Stowers a top NFL Draft prospect?
A: Eli Stowers is a former quarterback turned tight end from Vanderbilt who developed into the school’s top offensive weapon. His elite athleticism, All-SEC production, and Mackey Award-winning season make him one of the most accomplished tight end prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
What is Eli Stowers’ projected NFL Draft range?
A: Based on his production, athletic profile, and positional value, Eli Stowers is projected as a second-round NFL Draft pick, with third-round capital likely serving as his realistic floor.
Is Eli Stowers a good dynasty fantasy football rookie pick?
A: Eli Stowers profiles as an excellent dynasty fantasy football rookie pick, especially in SuperFlex PPR formats, due to his receiving-first tight end skill set, yards-after-catch ability, and projected NFL usage as a pass-catching weapon.
What NFL teams are the best potential landing spots for Eli Stowers?
A: The Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs stand out as strong potential landing spots, as both offenses value athletic tight ends who can be featured in the passing game rather than used primarily as blockers.
