After trading up to get USC wide receiver Makai Lemon in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles wanted another offensive playmaker in Round 2.
Adding Lemon allows the Eagles to trade Pro Bowler A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots after June 1 when their dead-cap hit will drop from $43.5 million to $16.4 million.
Philly’s WR depth chart now reads DeVonta Smith, Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Marquise Brown, Elijah Mooore, Johnny Wilson.
The team added to its budding group of pass-catchers in Round 2 of the draft when the Eagles grabbed Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers with the 54th overall pick.
What Stowers Brings to the Eagles
GettyThe Philadelphia Eagles drafted Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft
Eagles fans will love hearing that NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah compared the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Stowers to Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl receiver DK Metcalf.
Stowers has long arms and a giant catch radius. He can pluck the ball out of the air and go up and make catches most pass-catchers can’t. Because he’s so tough to take down on first contact, Stowers also excels at run-after-the-catch yardage.
A converted quarterback, Stowers emerged as one of the top tight ends in the nation last season who is a matchup nightmare for linebackers. He led all TEs in receiving yards (769) and ranked second in receptions (62).
Don’t let his size fool you — Stowers has speed to burn and he’s a freakish athlete as well.
“I think my strengths are in my athleticism,” Stowers said at the combine. “Being a matchup problem because I have a rare ability in terms of athleticism and also size to be able to create some mismatches, and then also being able to catch the ball.”
What They’re Saying About Stowers
GettyNew Philadelphia Eagles tight end Eli Stowers
Stowers was a favorite among the top NFL draft experts, who raved about his potential (he’s only played tight end for three years).
“Stowers is a versatile F tight end with big slot receiver traits,” The Ringer’s Todd McShay said. “… He’s already shown an efficient, explosive profile, and his rapid development as a pass-catcher makes him especially intriguing. He recorded a high rate of chunk plays (30.6 percent of catches going for 15-plus yards), was efficient (2.43 yards per route run), was solid after the catch (5.9 yards per reception), and flashed a good tackle-breaking ability (nine forced missed tackles) last season.
“Stowers also has outstanding athletic testing numbers (4.51-second 40 speed, 45.5-inch vertical, 11-foot-3-inch broad jump) that could make him a mismatch creator in the NFL. Stowers showcases elite spatial awareness and coverage recognition as a route runner…he also has the burst to threaten linebackers and safeties vertically, particularly up the seam. He has reliable hands (4.1% drop rate in his career), is a good ball tracker, and transitions well after the catch.”
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler seemingly agrees that Stowers has the potential to be a reliable deep threat in the NFL.
“An above-average athlete for the position, Stowers attacks defenders’ techniques and uses his quickness to consistently win one-on-one on slants, digs or seam balls,” Brugler wrote. “Because of the quarterback and scheme at Vanderbilt, he was asked to use his burst for quick windows and is unproven in other areas, although he has the speed to be more of a deep threat in a pro-style scheme.
“He delivered mixed results when asked to attack in traffic, but he has reliable hands and fluid adjustment skills. As a blocker, he has questionable physicality and sustain strength but competes when sealing or walling off defenders.”
Eagles Draft Offensive Weapon Compared to DK Metcalf in Round 2