2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Vanderbilt WR Eli Stowers

All my scouting notes on the strengths, concerns, usage/role, skill set summary, NFL comparison and grade/projection for Vanderbilt WR Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt WR Eli Stowers

Height: 6-4
Weight: 239
Arm Length: 32 5/8 inches
Hand Size: 9 3/4
Wingspan: 79 3/4
Birthdate: 04/15/03 (23-year old rookie)
Jersey No.: #9
Production: 5 seasons, 45 games, 1,281 snaps, 146 catches, 1,773 yards, 11 TDs, 73% catch rate, 7.6 ADOT, 6 drops (3.9% drop rate)
Games Watched: Missouri, South Carolina, Auburn, Texas, Alabama, Alabama 2024

Strengths

• Really good overall athlete with elite size and length as a wide receiver
• Can really go up and get the ball outside his frame. Ball skills and body control are a major strength, especially when you consider he’s barely played tight end. Catches the ball smoothly and makes easy adjustments to off-target throws. Made some contested catches with defenders on his back or in tight windows or above-the-rim (could be more consistent). Just a natural catcher of the ball
• Really competes in all areas. Tough after the catch, good balance through contact, initiates physical separation at the top of routes and at the line of scrimmage in press situations, tries to get after people in the blocking game
• Seems to understand coverages and find space against zone, knows where routes should break into space and expects the ball out of the break. Really reliable underneath, but has upside to be more impactful down the field too