When the Philadelphia Eagles selected tight end Eli Stowers in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it sparked plenty of conversation among the Birds faithful. After all, it's not every day that Eagles fans are glued to Vanderbilt Commodores games on Saturday afternoons. But just like when Jordan Matthews arrived from Vanderbilt in 2014, there's a sense that this pick could be something special.
Fast forward a dozen years, and the Eagles have once again dipped into the Vanderbilt pipeline. This time, however, fans seem to know much more about what they're getting with Stowers compared to the early days of Matthews' tenure. And what they're getting is a tight end with a trophy case that speaks volumes.
Stowers arrives in Philadelphia as a John Mackey Award winner and a Unanimous All-American in 2025. He also took home the William V. Campbell Trophy and earned his second straight First-Team All-SEC selection. It's safe to say the credentials are there.
The fit with the Eagles feels almost too perfect. With Dallas Goedert playing on a one-year deal, Stowers is widely viewed as the heir apparent at tight end. But according to ESPN's Matt Bowen, who recently highlighted Stowers as one of the best rookie-team fits in the draft, the impact should come much sooner than later.
Bowen praised the pairing, noting that Stowers will thrive in two-tight-end sets and as a situational matchup target. "At 6-foot-4 with a 45½-inch vertical jump (a tight end record at the NFL combine), Stowers is built to stretch the seams or isolate as a vertical target when removed from the formation," Bowen wrote.
He also emphasized Stowers' ability to "get loose after the catch," which should create more high-percentage throws for quarterback Jalen Hurts. For an Eagles offense that loves to attack downfield and create mismatches, Stowers brings a unique blend of size, athleticism, and run-after-catch ability that fits like a glove.
Philadelphia's decision to invest second-round capital in Stowers wasn't just intentional—it felt like a clear succession plan. And for a team that knows a thing or two about developing tight ends, this pairing has all the makings of a home run.