During day 1 of the NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles made one of the best picks in the draft, trading up for WR Makai Lemon. Amid A.J. Brown rumors, the Eagles going WR in round 1 was likely, but the pick they just made in the second made the trade even more likely.
Philadelphia Eagles Select TE Eli Stowers With Their Second Round Pick
One of the most interesting players in the second round of the draft was Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers. Given how he plays, he is more of a WR than a TE, and there were rumors before the draft that teams might move him to that position going forward.
On the Eagles, that is very interesting, especially with selecting Lemon last night and Brown potentially being traded away.
This was a very interesting selection for Philadelphia, and the NFL World reacted with mixed reactions:
Fantasy Football insider Travis May spoke on how the Eagles keep getting some of the best picks of the draft, “It’s crazy to me how NFL teams just keep letting the Eagles steal the best players every single year in the NFL Draft. Eli Stowers is a stud.”
NFL analyst JP Acosta thinks that Stowers was selected too early, “No. 54, Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt. I think this is another guy who is gone a round or two too early. Stowers is more of a receiver than tight end, but he’s explosive and can make catches outside his frame. This feels like PHI response to missing Sadiq”.
No. 54, Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
I think this is another guy who is gone a round or two too early. Stowers is more of a receiver than tight end, but he’s explosive and can make catches outside his frame. This feels like PHI response to missing Sadiq
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) April 25, 2026
NFL Insider Mike Garafolo posted a clip of draft specialist Daniel Jeremiah comparing Stowers to a current Eagles WR, “He plays a little bit like A.J. Brown.” @MoveTheSticks on new Eagles TE Eli Stowers, who’s a TE/WR hybrid.”
“He plays a little bit like A.J. Brown.” — @MoveTheSticks on new #Eagles TE Eli Stowers, who’s a TE/WR hybrid. pic.twitter.com/IQpmTS3lvY
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 25, 2026
NFL insider Jordan Schultz revealed that some teams around the league were very high on Stowers, “Eli Stowers is an elite athlete who several teams I’ve spoken with felt had Pro Bowl ability. This is a big get for Philly.”
Eli Stowers is an elite athlete who several teams I’ve spoken with felt had Pro Bowl ability. This is a big get for Philly. https://t.co/ZBYYbMAJPT
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 25, 2026
NFL Insider Rapoport called the Stowers pick interesting, ”
Interesting one for the #Eagles: #Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers goes No. 54.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2026
Fantasy Football insider Jeff Mueller brought up a very good point about current Eagles TE Dallas Goedert and his future with the team, “This draft continues to suck… Aren’t the Eagles trying to work on an extension for Dallas Goedert once AJ Brown is traded away?? Eli Stowers with the interesting landing spot.”
This draft continues to suck…
Aren’t the Eagles trying to work on an extension for Dallas Goedert once AJ Brown is traded away??Eli Stowers with the interesting landing spot. https://t.co/4ZOorCveW4
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) April 25, 2026
As mentioned, this was a very interesting selection by Philadelphia. Stowers will be able to play right away, and after the Eagles’ offense struggled last season, they added needed weapons. The future of Goedert may also be up in the air if the team views Stowers as more of a TE.
On the Football Debate Club, regarding the Stowers pick, PFSN analyst Ian Cummings mentioned the blocking as an issue, “It’s an interesting pick. People are going to be split on it because of the archetype. You got a guy whose not the best inline blocker but he’s a very good receiver.”
PFSN analyst Jacob Infante liked what Stowers could bring to an offense, “I love the athleticism. Jumped out of the gym at the combine. Explosive. Receiving TE.” The draft show gave the pick a D grade.
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According to PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric, the Eagles’ offense ranked 16th in the league last season with an impact score of 74.6. The additions of Lemon and Stowers will massively help in improving that under new OC Sean Mannion.
