# Eli Stowers NFL player. Position: **TE**. Team: **PHI**. ## Quick Facts - **Position:** TE - **Team:** PHI (Philadelphia Eagles) - **Draft:** 2026 NFL Draft, Round 2, No. 54 ## 2026 Outlook Top-10 dynasty TE with clear gap from rest of tight end class, per PFF (Fantasy Football 2026: Top 60 Dynasty Rookie TE Premium Rankings). Rookie TE drafted as the future TE1 in Philadelphia. With Dallas Goedert returning on a one-year deal, Stowers steps into a 2026 role focused on two-TE sets and matchup situations. 6-foot-4 with a 45½-inch vertical (TE record at the combine). Stretches the seams as a vertical target when removed from the formation; gets loose after the catch. Had 146 college receptions and is still developing as a route-runner and blocker. Competes with DeVonta Smith, fellow 2026 rookie Makai Lemon, and Goedert for targets in 2026; long-term outlook remains strong but keep 2026 expectations in check (per 2026 Fantasy Football TE Rankings May Update: Justin Boone's top tight ends). Stowers profiles as an intriguing dynasty handcuff with top-10 upside—his strong college resume (111 catches, 1,407 yards across two seasons at Vanderbilt) suggests he has the skill set to become the Eagles' eventual TE1 once Goedert departs in free agency. While redraft impact is limited in 2026, dynasty managers view him as a cornerstone long-term option (per Updated Dynasty Rookie Tight End Rankings for Fantasy Football: Post-NFL Draft (2026)). Expert consensus heavily favors Stowers in 2026 dynasty rookie drafts despite uncertain role. He won the John Mackey Award as the nation's best tight end in 2025, posting a 27% target rate and 2.55 yards per route run at Vanderbilt. Athletically elite: 4.51 forty time and 45½-inch vertical (tied for TE record at combine). The 6-4, 239-pound frame raises questions about in-line tight end ability, potentially limiting early snap count. Uncertainty around his usage and role in year one dampens redraft appeal, but his athleticism and college production suggest big-play potential sooner rather than later (per 18 Dynasty Rookies Experts Target in Drafts (2026 Fantasy Football) - FantasyPros). At the Combine, Stowers tested incredibly well: 4.51 40-time, 45.5-inch vertical (tied for TE record), and 11'3" broad jump at 6-4, 239 lbs. Strong gauntlet showing as well. His elite testing reaffirms top-10 dynasty TE status and early-round value despite Eagles role uncertainty (per 2026 NFL Combine standouts: Cornerbacks, safeties, & tight ends). **Dynasty Appeal (May 2026):** FantasyPros identifies Stowers as "one of the best tight end values based on opportunity and receiving skills." His strong college production, elite athleticism, and favorable landing spot in Philadelphia position him as a "dynasty TE target with long-term breakout potential" despite limited Year 1 usage. Blocking concerns could limit early snap count, but receiving talent typically finds its way onto the field (per 10 Dynasty Rookie Values to Target (2026 Fantasy Football)). **OTA Development Watch (June 2026):** Critical evaluation period at Eagles OTAs will determine how quickly Stowers gains trust with Jalen Hurts and establishes himself in the offense. Blocking is the key question—Stowers was a willing but below-average blocker at Vanderbilt after transitioning from QB at Texas A&M. If blocking improves, he can land an immediate role; otherwise, he remains a high-cost project for 2026. Team has emphasized this priority during voluntary and mandatory activities. (per Eagles OTAs 2026: Schedule, storylines, roster battles to watch - Yahoo Sports) **Post-minicamp re-grade (June 2026):** Sports Illustrated's June re-grading highlighted Stowers as "elite athleticism" that "could make him an impact pass catcher for the Philadelphia Eagles." The article noted he set NFL Combine records with a 45.5-inch vertical and 11'3" broad jump. While his QB-conversion background means he "offers almost nothing as a blocker," that weakness is "somewhat concerning considering how the position has been trending in the NFL lately." His pathway to relevance in the offense becomes clearer following the A.J. Brown trade, with "120+ targets to go around in Nick Sirianni's new-look offense," and Stowers is positioned as a "coverage separator" (per Two Months Later, These Five Tight Ends Rewrite 2026 NFL Draft Grades). **Training camp depth chart congestion (July 2026):** Stowers faces meaningful depth chart congestion behind Dallas Goedert, fullback Mundt, and returning option Calcaterra. Given his blocking limitations at this stage of development, the Eagles can't deploy him in traditional tight-end roles, creating a "waiting game" scenario for his 2026 contributions. The team must remain mindful not to become predictable when inserting him into the offense, suggesting limited touches and role definition beyond receiving situations. His elite athleticism and receiver skills should eventually find the field, but his rookie year looks to be primarily a development phase (per Eagles News: Jonathan Greenard among NFL players poised to improve in 2026). Post-draft, Fantasy In Frames notes Stowers is "an absolute freak at the TE position" with "historic Combine showing" but "far less refined as a player and an atrocious blocker." The Eagles landing spot is ideal for development—a year sitting behind Dallas Goedert gives him time to learn, with a clear path to snaps in 2027 and beyond. Like Sadiq, Stowers has overlap with rookie WR Makai Lemon in slot majority with a QB (Jalen Hurts) who has not used the middle of the field historically. The fit has blow-up potential (per 2026 Rookie Tight End Risers & Fallers After The NFL Draft ). **July 2026 consensus:** Ranked #2 in the 2026 rookie TE class (stash redraft, soft target dynasty), confirming his elite athleticism but cautioning that the overall tight end class was overhyped with limited early-season value (per 2026 Fantasy football: Rookie TE rankings - Vikings Wire). ## Role / Depth Chart TE2 behind Dallas Goedert entering 2026 training camp. Competing against veteran Grant Calcaterra and free agent signings (Johnny Mundt—blocker with Super Bowl LVI experience, undrafted rookies Dae'Quan Wright and Stone Smartt). Expected to see snaps primarily in two-TE sets and passing situations, avoiding run-game blocking assignments early. Long-term path is clear as Eagles' TE1 once Goedert departs in 2027 (per Eagles 2026 Training Camp Position Preview: Tight End). ## Injury Status Healthy. ## Recent News - 2026-04-24 — Eli Stowers scouting report: Eagles take ‘mismatch-creating’ tight end (Eli Stowers scouting report: Eagles take ‘mismatch-creating’ tight end) - 2026-05-20 — 15 trade candidates heading into 2026 NFL training camps (15 trade candidates heading into 2026 NFL training camps) - 2026-04-20 — 2026 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid's predictions for 257 picks (2026 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid's predictions for 257 picks) - 2026-05-18 — Updated Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings: RB, WR, TE, QB (2026) (Updated Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings: RB, WR, TE, QB (2026)) - 2026-05-19 — 2026 NFL OTA News Tracker (2026 NFL OTA News Tracker) - 2026-05-19 — Wide Receiver Tiers, Value Picks, and Players to Avoid (Wide Receiver Tiers, Value Picks, and Players to Avoid) - 2026-06-01 — Best Quarterbacks for Fantasy Football 2026 (Best Quarterbacks for Fantasy Football 2026) - 2026-06-12 — Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (Superflex): Eli Stowers Rises Post-A.J.... (Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (Superflex): Eli Stowers Rises Post-A.J....) - 2026-04-20 — 2026 NFL draft intel, notes: What Adam Schefter is hearing (2026 NFL draft intel, notes: What Adam Schefter is hearing) - 2026-03-19 — Ranking the 2026 Rookie Draft Class for Dynasty Fantasy Football: Jeremiyah Love In... (Ranking the 2026 Rookie Draft Class for Dynasty Fantasy Football: Jeremiyah Love In...) ## Open Questions - Does Goedert's one-year deal clear after 2026 to fully open the Eagles' TE1 role? ## Sources - ESPN best rookie team fits and landing spots 2026 --- Source: https://chatffb.com/players/eli-stowers · ChatFFB — fantasy football answers updated from a live news wiki.