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Eli Stowers details Eagles meeting, thoughts on TE coach Ryan Mahaffey
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- Eli Stowers details Eagles meeting, thoughts on TE coach Ryan Mahaffey
Round 1 of the 2026 NFL draft will kick off 25 days from tonight, and the Eagles will have several options to choose from with the 23rd overall pick. Howie Roseman will eventually have to replace Lane Johnson , while Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra are both back on one-year deals. When Zach Ertz appeared poised to transition to a secondary role, the Eagles GM decided to draft his successor, Goedert, in 2018. Now it may be time to develop a succession plan for Goedert. If Kenyon Sadiq isn't the answer in Round 1, Philadelphia could turn towards Vanderbilt 's Eli Stowers , who set the NFL scouting combine record for vertical leap at his position with a 45½-inch mark while also logging a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and an 11-3 broad jump.
Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers spoke with Andrew DiCecco on Inside the Birds , providing insight into his formal visit with the Eagles and tight ends coach Ryan Mahaffey. Stowers discussed his impressions of Philadelphia, his fit in the offense, and what he believes he brings to an NFL team.
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UPDATE:Stowers met with the Eagles at the NFL combine, and not a formal Top 30 visit.
Stowers began his college career at Texas A&M , signing with the Aggies out of the class of 2021 as a four-star recruit. Stowers played just five games across two seasons in College Station before transferring to New Mexico State, logging 35 catches for 366 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for two more scores.
After his teammate at New Mexico State, Diego Pavia , transferred to Vanderbilt ahead of the 2024 season, Stowers followed suit. In his first season at Vanderbilt, he recorded 638 yards and five touchdowns, earning first-team All-SEC honors. In 2025, Stowers had a standout season with 62 receptions for 769 yards and four touchdowns, once again receiving first-team All-SEC honors for the second consecutive year. Additionally, he was named a unanimous All-American, won the Mackey Award, and received the Campbell Trophy.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eli Stowers breaks down Eagles predraft meeting, what he brings to NFL
