The Denver Broncos are getting an up-close look at 1 of the NFL draft’s most intriguing prospects this week with Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers — a player who could be the key to unlocking the offense’s true potential.
“Per source, Broncos are hosting Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers today,” Broncos reporter Mike Klis wrote on his official X account on Tuesday. “Played two years at Texas A&M, one year at New Mexico State, then took off his two years at Vandy with 111 combined catches, 1,407 yds … So there’s big-time potential here. TE or WR? Broncos no doubt would look at Stowers as TE.”
Stowers, 6-foot-4 and 239 pounds, wowed at the NFL scouting combine with his performance, running the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds to go with an 11-foot, 2-inch broad jump along with a stunning performance in the vertical leap of 45.5 inches.
“Oh my Lord,” ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote on his official X acount on February 27. “Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers. 45.5-inch vertical jump. Tied with Cameron Wake for the third-highest vert in the Combine (since 1999).”
Stowers is a fringe 1st round prospect — important for the Broncos because they traded their 2026 1st round pick for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
“Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers is on a Top 30 visit to the Broncos today, source said,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account. “One of the Draft’s top TEs, Stowers set a TE Combine record with a 45.5-inch vertical jump, among other impressive workout feats.”
Broncos Could Land Impact Player in 2nd Round
The Broncos seem like they may have hit a home run with their 2nd round pick in 2025, running back RJ Harvey, after he scored 12 touchdowns his rookie year. If Denver can get that same kind of value out of this year’s second round … watch out below.
The Athletic’s post-Super Bowl 3-round mock draft has the Broncos draft Stowers in the 2nd round (No. 62 overall) and address a key failing in last year’s free agency cycle.
“The athleticism needs to be seen, but Stowers isn’t an in-line guy,” Sports Illustrated’s Erick Trickel wrote. “He has some serious concerns as a blocker. Stowers could develop enough in the slot to make an impact, but he is a mismatch receiver. What he does at the Combine will likely have a significant effect on his stock.”
Incredible Comparison to Legendary NFL WR
Klis shared a compelling graphic that compared Stowers to legendary NFL receiver Mike Evans, who played 12 seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before he signed a 3-year, $42.4 million free-agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March.
While Stowers is 1 inch shorter than Evans, he’s also 8 pounds heavier and faster — Evans ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds at the NFL scouting combine. He also tested better in the vertical leap by almost 10 inches and the broad jump by almost 2 feet.
“Zero surprise that Sean Payton wants a longer look at Stowers,” Underdog’s Josh Norris wrote on his official X account. “He has a type.”
“Broncos are the perfect fit for Stowers,” Blitz Sports Media’s Joe Sutphin wrote on his official X account. “If he’s there, he’s the pick.”
Broncos Host 6-foot-4, 239-Pound TE Compared to NFL Legend