The Philadelphia Eagles hope they grabbed their next great tight end in Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers during the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. If Stowers is going to reach his potential, though, he will have to become a better blocker.
The second-round pick addressed that fact to reporters at the team’s rookie minicamp last weekend. Stowers explained how he plans to spend the rest of the offseason improving his biggest weakness.
“You just have to learn the technique,” said Stowers, via The Athletic’s Zach Berman. “I think that was not necessarily a hurdle, but the thing you have to learn the most. You have to get the technique down. A lot of it is reps and so you get the muscle memory down. And the other side of it is just the will to want to block. And I have that, and I want to be the best blocker I can be from that point.”
The Eagles selected Eli Stowers at No. 54 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
What Eagles Are Getting in TE Eli Stowers
The Vanderbilt product became the first tight end Philadelphia selected in the NFL Draft since 2022. That was Grant Calcaterra in the sixth round.
Stowers is the best tight end prospect the Eagles have had since they drafted Dallas Goedert at No. 49 overall, just five spots ahead of Stowers’ spot, in 2018.
That’s ironic since the Eagles likely selected Stowers with the intention that he replaces Goedert perhaps as early as 2027.
Goedert scored a career-high 11 touchdowns last season. But he also posted a career-low 9.9 yards per reception and turned 31 years old in January.
The question for Stowers, though, is how much better can he get at blocking.
The second-round pick wants to improve his biggest weakness. But he also appears to understand his biggest strength is always going to be catching passes.
“I view myself as a tight end, but I think I can be a really good weapon in the passing game as well,” Stowers said. “I’m thankful that I’m viewed that way because it shows that people think I’m explosive enough to view me as a receiver. But the fact is that I’m a tight end, and I want to be used that way in the offense.”
Eagles TE Depth Entering 2026 NFL Offseason Workouts
Despite his deficiencies as a blocker, the Eagles tight end room looks a lot more complete with Stowers in the fold.
Goedert and Calcaterra will each return during 2026. But Stowers is looming as a pass-catching option for a quarterback, Jalen Hurts, who loves throwing to tight ends.
The Eagles added veterans such as Johnny Mundt to solidify their tight end depth this offseason. But none of them have the upside as a pass-catcher that Stowers does.
Stowers converted to tight end just three years ago. His success as a pass-catcher already showcases the unique athleticism he possesses.
“He’s a natural pass catcher with an outstanding catch radius and massive run-after-catch talent,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.
In 2025, Stowers made the All-American team with 62 catches, 769 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Over two seasons with the Commodores, he had 111 receptions, 1,407 receiving yards and nine scores.
He has the potential for that kind of production in Philadelphia. How quickly he gets on the field and how much he plays, though, could depend on his development as a blocker.
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