Eagles ignored injury concerns with a “steal of the draft” title

The Philadelphia Eagles may have unearthed another elite tight end in Eli Stowers, selected in the 2nd round (No. 54) of the 2026 NFL draft, after successfully finding top-tier tight ends in the past from later rounds. Stowers, a 6-foot-4, 239-pound Vanderbilt product, drew widespread attention as a potential TE2 who could be used as a big-bodied receiving threat, with some teams viewing him as a tweener akin to a wide receiver. While knee concerns were mentioned by some evaluators, the consensus among many insiders was that Stowers showed durability in college, and his standout Combine performance—4.51-second 40-yard dash and a 45.5-inch vertical—bolsters the belief he can adapt to a versatile role in Philadelphia.

Early perceptions of Stowers were mixed: he earned the John Mackey Award as college football’s top tight end but faced scrutiny over his inline blocking ability and overall fit as a traditional tight end. Critics argued he might need development as a blocker and route-running to maximize his potential. Despite the debate, Eagles fans and analysts highlighted his athleticism and potential as Goedert’s successor, arguing the pick could be a “steal of the draft” given his ceiling and the team’s goal of bolstering pass-catching options for quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Key highlights:
– Stowers was widely viewed as TE2 and valued for his hybrid/TWE role, offering versatility for the Eagles’ offense.
– Strong Combine metrics (40-yard dash and vertical leap) underscored his athletic upside, even amid knee injury concerns some teams flagged.
– While praised for athleticism and receiving production (62 receptions, 769 yards, 4 TDs in 2025), analysts debated his fit as an in-line blocker and potential position conversion.
– The pick aligns with the Eagles’ strategy of strengthening pass-catching targets in the draft, positioning Stowers as a potential successor to Dallas Goedert.

Key Takeaways:
– Eli Stowers’ draft selection emphasizes the Eagles’ proven approach of acquiring elite receiving tight ends beyond the first round.
– His combination of athletic explosiveness and production makes him a high-upside target, albeit with questions about blocking and inline fit.
– The assessment of Stowers ranges from potential “steal of the draft” to skepticism about positional fit, depending on evaluation of his development path in Philadelphia.