Eli Stowers, Denver Broncos
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Eli Stowers #9 of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrates a catch against the LSU Tigers.
The Denver Broncos have been searching for a player to fill the “joker” role in head coach Sean Payton’s offense, and Eli Stowers profiles as a potential fit. His versatility was already clear, but has been further cemented with the latest news before the draft.
The Broncos are on that circuit.
Without a first-round pick following their trade for Jaylen Waddle, the Broncos could fortunately still come away with Stowers later in the draft, and he possesses an intriguing skill set.
Broncos Receive Intriguing ‘Note’ on Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers
Eli Stowers
GettyEli Stowers #9 of the Vanderbilt Commodores looks on before a game against the Utah State Aggies.
The interest in Stowers proves the Broncos have not shied away from their issues at tight end, even while returning their group from last season, led by co-starters Adam Trautman and 2025 free agency signing Evan Engram.
Stowers could come in and challenge Engram, in particular, as a receiving threat.
However, Stowers’ positional versatility could reach another level in the NFL as teams have seen something more in his game.
“An interesting note on #Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers: While officially he’s a TE, several teams are evaluating him as a WR,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on April 7. “At 6-foot-4, 239, his build can be compared to Mike Evans. Stowers, by the way, visits the #Broncos next week, and he’s done #Rams, #Titans, and #Cowboys.”
The Broncos were speculatively–and even then, loosely-linked to Evans in free agency. That was before he signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Stowers is obviously a project, but clearly one that has multiple teams intrigued ahead of the 2026 draft.
Stowers began his college career as a QB at Texas A&M. He converted to wide receiver at New Mexico and settled at tight end at Vanderbilt.
The Broncos are deep at wide receiver, but would be adding one of the 2026 draft’s best athletes.
Eli Stowers’ Athleticism, Versatility Stand Out
Eli Stowers
GettyEli Stowers #9 of the Vanderbilt Commodores warms up before a game against the Georgia State Panthers.
Irrespective of the Broncos’ interest, Stowers’ physical skill set and mental makeup have drawn rave reviews.
“Stowers is a versatile F tight end with big slot receiver traits,” The Ringer’s Todd McShay wrote in his pre-draft profile. “Despite spending only three seasons at tight end…, he’s already shown an efficient, explosive profile, and his rapid development as a pass catcher makes him especially intriguing.
“Stowers isn’t enough of a proven commodity to earn a first-round grade, despite his rare athletic and mental traits. However, he should be a top-50 pick and the second tight end off the board in 2026.”
McShay compared Stowers to former Broncos Noah Fant and Vernon Davis.
He also compared him to Kyle Pitts of the Atlanta Falcons, another player the Broncos have been linked to speculatively.
“He’s an excellent athlete with long arms but needs to keep filling out his frame. He’s a natural pass catcher with an outstanding catch radius and massive run-after-catch talent. While his route-running and contested-catch ability need work, he excels at moving the chains on screens/short catches,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft write-up.
“Has the speed to threaten downfield against linebackers. His run-blocking ceiling might be low, but his traits create above-average potential as a pass-catching ‘F’ tight end, fitting the growing trend of utilizing two- and three-tight-end sets more heavily.”
Stowers finished college with 146 receptions for 1,773 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Broncos could add Stowers amid their draft-and-develop plan for Caleb Lohner, a 2025 seventh-round pick and former basketball player.