2026 NFL Draft: Why Eli Stowers Could Be a Smart Investment for the Broncos
The Denver Broncos won’t be on the clock early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
After trading their first-round pick to acquire Jaylen Waddle, the Broncos’ first selection will not come until No. 62 overall. That reality limits their ability to land one of the draft’s top-tier prospects, but it does not eliminate the opportunity to find real value.
One player who continues to surface in mock drafts and draft chatter as a possible fit for Denver is former Vanderbilt Commodores tight end Eli Stowers.
A Realistic Option at a Position of Need
The Broncos’ need at tight end may not be as glaring as running back, but it is still worth monitoring.
Denver added two-time Pro Bowler Evan Engram last offseason, but his contract expires after the 2026 campaign. The Broncos may already need to be thinking about the future at the position – especially after Engram’s underwhelming 2025 season in Denver.
That is where Stowers enters the conversation.
Stowers is widely viewed as the second-best tight end prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft behind former Oregon Ducks standout Kenyon Sadiq, and there is a realistic chance he could still be available when the Broncos are on the clock at No. 62 overall. Multiple outlets have also identified him as a strong schematic fit for Denver and head coach Sean Payton.
Production That Demands Attention
Stowers put together one of the best seasons of any tight end in college football in 2025. He was named a unanimous First-Team All-American in 2025 and took home the prestigious John Mackey Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top tight end.
Across 12 games in 2025, Stowers caught 62 passes for 769 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 12.4 yards per reception. He also totaled 1,407 receiving yards and nine touchdowns over his two seasons at Vanderbilt, earning First-Team All-SEC honors both years.
According to Pro Football Focus, Stowers led all tight ends over the last two seasons with 34 receptions of 15 or more yards. He also posted 406 receiving yards from the slot in 2025, the third-most among FBS tight ends, while adding 119 receiving yards when lined up out wide – the second-most among tight ends nationally.
That versatility could make him especially appealing in Payton’s offense.
A Rare Athletic Profile
One of Stowers’ biggest selling points is his athleticism.
Standing nearly 6-foot-4 and weighing 239 pounds, he turned heads at the NFL Combine with a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, a 45.5-inch vertical jump, and an 11-foot-3 broad jump. His vertical and broad jump both set tight end combine records.
That athleticism shows up on film.
Stowers is a natural pass catcher with a massive catch radius and the ability to create yardage after the catch. He can attack the seam, line up in the slot, and create mismatches against linebackers and safeties.
Because he spent so much time detached from the formation with the Commodores, there are even some who believe he could transition into more of a wide receiver role if needed.
That type of flexibility would give the Broncos another dynamic weapon for young quarterback Bo Nix.
Areas That Still Need Development
Like many prospects who project to come off the board in the second round, Stowers is not a finished product.
While he has the size to eventually become a more complete player, he still needs to continue filling out his frame and adding strength. His run-blocking is currently subpar, and he would likely be more of a liability than an asset in Denver’s ground game early in his career.
There are also some questions about his consistency in contested-catch situations. According to The Ringer, Stowers caught just seven of 17 contested targets in 2025.
Still, those flaws may be easier to live with because of the upside he offers as a receiving threat.
A Familiar NFL Comparison
Ironically, one of the most common comparisons for Stowers is the current starting tight end on the Broncos’ roster. Zack Kelberman of Sports Illustrated recently described Stowers as “a younger version of Engram with greater upside.”
That comparison makes sense.
Like Engram, Stowers wins with athleticism, movement skills, and his ability to stress defenses as a receiving threat rather than as a traditional in-line blocker. If Denver views Engram as a short-term answer and plans to let him walk after the 2026 season, Stowers could make a lot of sense as a long-term successor.
A Logical Fit for the Broncos
For Denver, Stowers represents a realistic and intriguing option at No. 62 overall.
He may not be a complete tight end yet, but his production, athletic profile, and receiving upside make him one of the most exciting pass-catching weapons in this draft class.
More importantly, he could help solve both a short-term and long-term need.
The Broncos would get another mismatch weapon for their offense right away while also giving Engram an understudy before eventually turning the position over to Stowers in the future.
In a draft where value will be critical, Eli Stowers is exactly the type of prospect Denver should have atop its draft board.
