June 01, 2026
Jimmy/for PhillyVoice
Eagles rookie TE Eli Stowers has a high ceiling, but it might take a while for him to produce like a TE1.
As we do every offseason, we'll be comparing each of the Philadelphia Eagles' rookies to current or former NFL players. Today we'll find a comp for second-round tight end Eli Stowers.
EAGLES ROOKIE COMP SERIES
Stowers was a high school quarterback who moved to tight end in college. He originally enrolled at Texas A&M as a quarterback, transferred to New Mexico where he transitioned to tight end, and then to Vanderbilt. His career stats:
| Eli Stowers | Rec | Yards | YPC | TD |
| 2021 Texas A&M (QB) | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2022 Texas A&M (QB) | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2023 New Mexico State (TE) | 35 | 366 | 10.5 | 2 |
| 2024 Vanderbilt (TE) | 49 | 638 | 13.0 | 5 |
| 2025 Vanderbilt (TE) | 62 | 769 | 12.4 | 4 |
Vanderbilt lined up Stowers all over the place, trying to create mismatches against slower linebackers and smaller defensive backs. Once he has the ball in his hands, Stowers can get yards after the catch using his speed, or by dragging DBs. Highlight reel:
But what Stowers is really known for is the absolute show he put on at the NFL Combine, where he broke records for his vertical leap (45 1/2") and broad jump (135"). He also ran a 4.51 40. He is undersized at 6'4, 239, but he is an elite athlete.
The downside is that Stowers is probably more of a big receiver at this point. He will have to become a better blocker to become a more well-rounded tight end in the NFL.
The player Stowers reminds me of is former Titans, Rams, Packers, Raiders, Saints, and Chargers tight end Jared Cook.
Cook had a long, 13-year career during which he amassed 553 catches for 7,237 yards and 45 TDs. Like Stowers, Cook was a lighter player in need of refinement coming out of college, but he possessed exceptional athleticism:
A comparison:
| Measureables | Eli Stowers | Jared Cook |
| Height | 6'4 | 6'5 |
| Weight | 239 | 246 |
| 40 time | 4.51 | 4.49 |
| Vertical jump | 45 1/2" | 41" |
| Broad jump | 135" | 123" |
Cook's NFL career got off to a slow start. He had 74 receiving yards his rookie season, and then 361 yards his second season before a breakout third season when he had 49 catches for 759 yards. Similarly, we're projecting that Stowers will not be very productive as a rookie, and his development could take some time.
But as you can see in this highlight reel from one of Cook's later seasons, he was a run-after-catch force between the 20s, and a weapon against smaller DBs in the red zone.
It might take some time, but Stowers can be the same type of weapon for the Eagles.
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