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Eli Stowers arrived at the 2026 NFL Combine seeking to confirm his draft buzz. He left having rewritten the testing charts for tight ends and given scouts vivid proof of elite athleticism. What happened on the field amplified what he built at Vanderbilt.
College resume and rising draft profile
Stowers made the switch from quarterback to tight end in college. The transition paid off quickly.
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- Three seasons at Vanderbilt produced 146 catches for 1,773 yards.
- He also tallied 11 touchdowns across his collegiate career.
- Coaches and evaluators noted his route polish and hands, sharpened by previous QB instincts.
Those numbers and traits pushed Stowers into early first-round conversations ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Official combine measurements: size and frame
At the Combine, Stowers logged a clean set of measurements.
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Weight: 239 pounds
His size checks the modern tight end box: long enough to threaten mismatches and light enough to show downfield burst.
Explosiveness testing that stunned evaluators
Stowers’ jumps were the headline. He produced two marks that changed the narrative about athletic upside at the position.
- Vertical jump: 45.5 inches — a figure that stands out among tight ends across decades.
- Broad jump: 11 feet, 3 inches — a new Combine high for the tight end group.
Those results signal rare lower-body power and explosive pop. Teams that prioritize contested-catch ability and suddenness will take note.
Speed test and on-field quickness
Stowers ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash. That time ranks him among the faster tight ends at this year’s event.
Beyond straight-line speed, his short-area bursts translated to crisp shuttle and cone drills during positional work.
Side-by-side: Eli Stowers vs. Kenyon Saddiq
The 2026 class includes multiple athletic tight ends. Kenyon Saddiq from Oregon produced his own standout numbers.
- Eli Stowers — 6’4″, 239 lbs., 45.5″ vertical, 11’3″ broad, 4.51 40-yard dash.
- Kenyon Saddiq — 6’3″, 241 lbs., 43.5″ vertical, 11’1″ broad, 4.39 40-yard dash.
Stowers has an edge in raw explosiveness. Saddiq posted a faster 40, showing superior long-speed. Teams will weigh traits against scheme fit.
What scouts and front offices will focus on next
Stowers’ athletic testing turns attention to several key areas scouts will probe at pro days and interviews.
- Route nuance against NFL coverage and the ability to separate consistently.
- Blocking technique and willingness to sustain at the point of attack.
- Medical review and durability, given his rapid position change in college.
His Combine marks boost his draft ceiling. Franchises that deploy move tight ends or use mismatches in the intermediate game will find his profile particularly attractive.
