Eli Stowers (hamstring) missing practice

Stowers was somewhat involved in the first half but the rookie tight end had a long gain of just six yards in the first exhibition game of the season. The 23-year-old has significant long-term upside because of his athleticism, but it’s very clear — at least early on — that Stowers has work to do before he’s a fantasy option in 2026.

Stowers is reportedly still working with the third-team offense. The rookie tight end has been a late-round target for best ball drafters hoping to secure late-season production from their TE3. While that outcome is still possible, it would be nice to see Stowers gain a little ground this month.

Kempski believes Mundt’s blocking ability keeps him in the TE2 spot for now. He also notes that “Stowers was quiet during spring practices, and even seemed limited in practice due to an injury,” sporting a sleeve on one leg. Missing spring practice reps would certainly slow down a rookie’s development. Regardless, if Stowers is going to show up in the box score, he will likely do so late in the 2026 season. For now, treat him as a worthwhile best ball TE3, and a name to know for late-season waiver wire purposes in re-draft.

Stowers (6’4/239) was originally a four-star quarterback recruit at Texas A&M. After two seasons of holding the clipboard, he transferred to New Mexico State. Instead of having him back up Diego Pavia, the Aggies staff moved him to tight end and he immediately took to the position, going for 366 yards as a junior. Pavia and Stowers both transferred to Vanebrilt and the duo’s connection blossomed. Stowers racked up 638 yards in 2024 and 769 yards in 2025. With 62 grabs and four scores, Stowers won the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. His draft stock hit new heights at the NFL Combine when he set the vertical record at 45.5” and the tight end broad jump record at 11’3”. Add in a 4.51 40 and you’ve got a 90th-percentile athlete, even when adjusting for his slightly undersized build. Stowers has too much speed for linebackers and is still too big for most corners. At his best, he’s a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. His blocking is still a work in progress and he’ll likely top out as a functional inline blocker in the pros. Even if that’s the case, he could wind up as the best pass-catcher in the class when all is said and done. That, however, may take a year to materialize. Stowers will likely spend his rookie season rotating in behind Dallas Goedert. Goedert is a free agent after 2026, meaning Stowers could take over the starting gig in his second season.

He links them to Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers in a mock draft filed a few days before the actual event, and notes that they need someone to complement the “all-around play of Hunter Henry and the blocking prowess of Julian Hill.” The Patriots never replaced Austin Hooper, who fled to the Falcons in free agency. A Day 2 pick on a receiving tight end — Stowers or otherwise — could cut into Henry’s TE1 odds in 2026.

Ravens team reporter Ryan Mink adds that although TE Mark Andrews posted a career-low 422 receiving yards last season, “the Ravens see a rebound in 2026.” DeCosta’s comments could indicate otherwise, though the team lost TEs Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in free agency. Mink also notes that the Ravens have picked two tight ends in the same draft four times in franchise history: 2022, 2018, 2015 and 2010. DeCosta has been with the Ravens for his whole career, dating back to 1996, and the strategy has worked well for the organization. Mink believes replacing Likely with a receiving tight end could be viewed as a need in the short term. He lists 10 potential draftees, including Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq, Ohio State TE Max Klare, Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers, Baylor TE Michael Trigg and NC State TE Justin Joly.

Stowers, who won the Mackey Award in 2025 after catching 62 balls for 769 yards and four touchdowns at Vanderbilt, has gained a little bit of steam ahead of the 2026 draft. He’s widely expected to be the second tight end off the draft board after Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq. Evan Engram’s role in the Denver offense would become an uncertain one if the Broncos invest significant draft capital in Stowers, whose statistical and efficiency profiles are far superior to the hyper-athletic Sadiq. Stowers has also made pre-draft visits with the Cowboys, Rams, and Titans.