Eagles Draft Eli Stowers: Tight End Added from Vanderbilt at No. 54 Overall

The Philadelphia Eagles have selected tight end Eli Stowers from Vanderbilt University with the 54th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Stowers, a 6-foot-3, 239-pound prospect, earned first-team All-American honors and won the Mackey Award in 2025 after recording 62 receptions for 769 yards and four touchdowns that season. He also won the William V. Campbell Trophy, known as the Academic Heisman, recognizing his excellence in academics, athletics, and community service.

The Eagles now have drafted both the nation’s top wide receiver (Makai Lemon, Biletnikoff Award winner) and top tight end (Stowers, Mackey Award winner) in the 2026 draft class.

Stowers began his college career at Texas A&M as a quarterback before multiple shoulder injuries led him to switch positions. He spent a year at New Mexico State before transferring to Vanderbilt for his final two seasons, where he played alongside quarterback Diego Pavia.

His production steadily increased at Vanderbilt, rising from 35 catches in 2023 to 49 in 2024 and a career-high 62 in 2025. His 769 receiving yards in 2025 led all FBS tight ends that season.

At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Stowers set tight end records in the broad jump (11 feet, 3 inches) and vertical jump (45.5 inches), showcasing his elite athleticism.

Eagles Executive Vice President and General Manager Howie Roseman praised Stowers’ unique skill set, stating, “I think when you find guys that have unique skill sets, and we have a lot of confidence in our coaches and our staff to develop players, especially when they have high football IQ and high character, and we know they’re tough. I mean, it’s exciting.”

Head Coach Nick Sirianni added, “The guy is super talented. Athletically, he does some things that nobody else can do. Just to be able to create mismatches with him on third downs and first and second down situations, he is a tough cover. [He] catches everything, good after the catch, [has] speed, quickness. So really excited to have him.”

Stowers joins a tight end room that includes Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, Cameron Latu, Johnny Mundt, Stone Smartt, and Jaheim Bell.

While noted for his receiving ability, scouts note that Stowers still has room to improve as a blocker at the NFL level, though his large frame offers potential to add mass, and strength.

Stowers expressed his gratitude upon joining the team, saying, “It’s just such a blessing to be a part of this team. Such a great program with so much history, and it’s such a winning culture.”