Story by
Eagles sign second-round pick Eli Stowers to rookie deal
- Story by
- Eagles sign second-round pick Eli Stowers to rookie deal
The Philadelphia Eagles officially locked up another key piece of their 2026 draft class after announcing the signing of second-round pick Eli Stowers to his four-year rookie contract.
Philadelphia drafted Stowers to strengthen the tight end room alongside Dallas Goedert , but many around the NFL already view the former Vanderbilt Commodores football standout as the eventual long-term replacement for Goedert. For now, the Eagles believe Stowers gives the offense another dynamic pass-catching option as the organization prepares for life after A.J. Brown following June 1.
Advertisement
With highly regarded prospect Kenyon Sadiq already off the board, Philadelphia pivoted toward one of the most athletic tight ends in the class. Stowers turned heads during the predraft process by setting the NFL Scouting Combine record for vertical leap among tight ends with a remarkable 45½-inch jump. He also posted a blazing 4.51-second 40-yard dash and an 11-foot-3 broad jump, reinforcing his status as one of the draft's premier athletic mismatches.
With Stowers signed, Markel Bell is the only draft pick unsigned.
Stowers' rise accelerated after following quarterback Diego Pavia from New Mexico State Aggies football to Vanderbilt ahead of the 2024 season. In his first SEC campaign, Stowers immediately emerged as one of the conference's top offensive weapons, recording 638 receiving yards and five touchdowns while earning first-team All-SEC honors.
Advertisement
He elevated his game even further in 2025, finishing with 62 receptions for 769 yards and four touchdowns. Stowers again earned first-team All-SEC recognition while adding some of college football's top honors to his résumé, including unanimous All-American status, the prestigious Mackey Award, and the Campbell Trophy.
Now officially under contract, Stowers enters training camp with a chance to carve out an immediate role in one of the NFL's most explosive offenses.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Philadelphia signs Mackey Award winner Eli Stowers to his rookie deal
