Eli Stowers TE Vanderbilt | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Eli Stowers TE Vanderbilt
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Slot Receiving TE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 10/28/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.55 seconds (93%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.8 DOB: 04/15/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Slot Receiving TE | |
| Last Updated: 10/28/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.55 seconds (93%*) | |
| Age: 21.8 DOB: 04/15/2003 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 82.7 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 114.5 | |
| Hands: |
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85% |
| Short Receiving: |
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93% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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91% |
| Deep Threat: |
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90% |
| Blocking: |
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66% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#166
Position rank:
#7
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| College Games: 26 College Snaps: 777 | ||
ESPN RATING: 82/100
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247 RATING: 94/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trey McBride - Colorado State |
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84% |
| Cade Stover - Ohio State |
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75% |
| Ben Sinnott - Kansas State |
|
73% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Standing 6'4" and weighing 225 pounds, Eli Stowers enters the NFL Draft after completing his graduate season at Vanderbilt. The Denton Guyer High School product initially signed with Texas A&M as a quarterback, where he appeared in five games over two seasons before transferring to New Mexico State and converting to tight end.At New Mexico State in 2023, Stowers earned Honorable Mention All-Conference USA honors, collecting 35 receptions for 366 yards and two touchdowns while adding 29 rushes for 113 yards. His dual-threat capability extended to passing, where he completed four throws for 99 yards and a touchdown, including a pivotal performance in New Mexico State's historic victory over Auburn.
Stowers transferred to Vanderbilt for his final season, where he posted several standout performances, including a 130-yard effort against Ball State and 113 yards versus Alabama. The former Texas 6A high jump state champion (7-foot clearance) earned spots on both the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List and Biletnikoff Award Watch List during his final campaign.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive straight-line burner who consistently stacks defenders vertically and threatens the seam with plus acceleration off the snap
- Smooth pass-catcher who plucks away from his frame with soft mitts, showing natural ball skills in the strike zone
- Savvy route-runner who sets up breaks effectively and understands defensive leverage points due to quarterback background
- Plus body control and spatial awareness when working the boundary, consistently getting two feet down
- Creates separation at the top of routes with sudden breaks and quick twitch movement skills
- Former signal-caller experience shows up in zone coverage recognition and finding soft spots between defenders
- Multi-dimensional weapon who can motion across formations and create mismatches from various alignments
- Exceptional leaping ability and timing on 50/50 balls, particularly evident in red zone situations
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Severely undersized frame lacks the sand in his pants needed for sustained blocks against edge defenders
- Raw technician in the trenches who gets overwhelmed by power and struggles to establish leverage at point of attack
- Late transition to position shows up in route stems and blocking angles, still developing feel for tight end nuances
- Limited anchor strength leads to washing out against bull rush when asked to pass protect
- Needs significant development in hand placement and core strength to handle in-line responsibilities at next level
Scouting Report: Summary
Built in the mold of a modern F-tight end, his explosive traits and natural receiving ability jump off the tape. The movement skills and body control showcase a legitimate weapon in the passing game who can stress defenses vertically.The scheme fit demands an offense that will deploy him primarily as a detached tight end, utilizing his ability to win from the slot and create mismatches against defensive backs and linebackers. The lack of sand and power in the run game means he'll need to be protected from traditional Y-tight end duties early in his career.
While the developmental runway exists for growth in the trenches, the immediate impact potential comes as a specialized passing game weapon. The athletic traits and natural receiving skills provide a foundation to build upon, though his ceiling will ultimately be determined by physical development and technical refinement in the blocking game.
How other scouting services rate Eli Stowers (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
141.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
11.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.