Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
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Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on before a game against the Tennessee Titans.
The Los Angeles Rams could double down on a draft decision from last season, and once again target the tight end position, this time with Eli Stowers. However, Stowers is hardly the typical tight end prospect, as the recent news surrounding him highlights.
LA used their first pick of the 2025 draft on Terrance Ferguson, who had a relatively quiet rookie season but flashed as a vertical threat.
Given what they already have in Ferguson, the Rams’ interest in Stowers stands out even more.
Rams Get Noteworthy Update on Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers
Eli Stowers, Denver Broncos
GettyEli Stowers #9 of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrates a catch against the LSU Tigers.
The Rams did not deliver the update on Stowers, but they certainly may have influenced it, considering they have already made contact with the former quarterback.
“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 toMike Evans. Stowers, by the way, visits the #Broncos next week, and he’s done #Rams, #Titans, and #Cowboys.”
The idea is gaining traction.
“Eli Stowers is a high-end prospect as a receiving TE, but offers very little as a run blocker,” NFL Draft Files posted on X on April 7 in reaction to the report. “It makes sense some teams would wanna rip the bandaid off and just move him to WR.”
Ian Rapoport
An interesting note on #Vanderbilt‘s Eli Stowers: While officially he’s a TE, several teams are evaluating him as a WR.
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.
Stowers drew plenty of attention with his performance at the 2026 combine in February, posting a 4.51 40-yard dash and 45.5-inch vertical jump.
The Rams own the 13th overall pick of the draft.
That is too high for Stowers to come off the board, particularly for a Rams team that took a tight end with its first pick of the 2025 draft. Ferguson is also more of a receiving threat than a blocking tight end. He does have a bigger frame than Stowers.
Even if the Rams do not see Stowers as a receiver, he could still be an option if LA decides to trade down in the draft. It is unclear how far they can go and still land him, though.
His profile only continues to grow as the draft approaches.
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GettyEli Stowers #9 of the Vanderbilt Commodores looks on before a game against the Utah State Aggies.
Stowers began his collegiate career as a tight end. He switched to quarterback during his second season before switching back for his final two campaigns.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Stowers as his TE2 in his annual “The Beast” draft guide.
“Stowers will need to prove himself as a serviceable blocker at the NFL level, but he is explosive as a pass catcher, and I love the way he maximizes his catch radius,” Brugler wrote. “He has mismatch-creating potential and can eventually develop into an NFL starter.”
Stowers switched schools three times (from Texas A&M to New Mexico State to Vanderbilt) during his five-year collegiate career.
Stowers finished his NCAA stay with 146 receptions, 1,773 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
He also passed for 116 yards and 2 TD with 0 interceptions on 50% completion at QB. He was not used as a passer in any of his three seasons at tight end. A creative NFL team like the Rams could capitalize on that skill set, though.