The Dallas Cowboys need a lot of help on the defensive side of the ball, but that doesn’t mean that offense is off limits in the upcoming NFL draft. It’s better to grab good players when they fall into your lap than to wait until an urgent need arises, and that could make tight end a sneaky position to surprise everyone with. The Cowboys did this once before with Luke Schoonmaker, and it did not go well, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try it again. Currently, Jake Ferguson is the team’s lead tight end,
and the team just re-upped with him, giving the team a gritty safety net for Dak Prescott and the offense. However, if the right player came along, the Cowboys could consider pulling the trigger, especially if this college prospect leaped onto their draft board.
TE, Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
Height: 6’4” | Weight: 239 pounds | Speed: 4.51 forty time
Background
His path to the pros is one of the most unique stories in this draft cycle. He began his collegiate career as a highly touted four-star quarterback at Texas A&M, where he spent two seasons learning the intricacies of complex offensive systems from behind the center. Recognizing his elite athletic profile was being wasted on the sideline, he made the bold transition to tight end and transferred to New Mexico State. The move paid immediate dividends, but his true breakout occurred during his final two seasons at Vanderbilt. Last year, he set the college football world on fire by leading all tight ends with 769 receiving yards. Even more impressive was his knack for being a chain mover, as he led all tight ends with 49 catches resulting in first downs, proving he is the ultimate go-to guy for his quarterback.
Strengths
The physical tools he brings to the table are nothing short of elite. His 4.51 speed is evident the moment he touches the turf, allowing him to pull away from linebackers and challenge safeties vertically. He possesses exceptionally quick feet for a man of his stature, which helps him navigate tight spaces and create separation at the break point. With soft hands that seem to vacuum in anything thrown his direction and a legendary leaping ability that once earned him a state high jump title, his catch radius is essentially the size of a small garage. He makes the difficult catches look routine, and the routine catches look like highlight reels.
His true value lies in a level of versatility that is rare for the position. Because of his background as a quarterback, he possesses an advanced understanding of defensive coverages and knows exactly where the soft spots are in a zone. This high football IQ allows him to line up virtually anywhere on the field, whether it is attached to the tackle, in the slot, or out wide as a receiver. Off the field, his character is beyond reproach, evidenced by winning the Academic Heisman, which not only accounts for his on-field performance but also his academics and community service work.
Weaknesses
While his receiving upside is sky high, he does come with some physical limitations that traditionalists might scrutinize. At 239 pounds, he lacks the prototypical bulk required to be a dominant in-line blocker, and he can sometimes struggle to sustain blocks against NFL-caliber defensive ends in the run game. There are moments where he can be out-muscled at the top of his routes by aggressive, heavy-handed defenders who disrupt his timing. Additionally, because he was so vital to his college offenses, he has almost no experience playing on special teams units, which is often a requirement for a rookie tight end trying to earn a spot on the active roster.
The Fit
He would be a fascinating addition to the Cowboys’ offensive scheme, particularly under the guidance of Klayton Adams. The team’s second-year offensive coordinator has shown a preference for players who are athletic enough to be moved around the formation and can contribute in the passing game immediately. But Adams employs an all-hands-on-deck blocking mantra, so that’s definitely a strike against him. Stowers’ ability to act as a hybrid threat aligns perfectly with the creative looks Dallas likes to employ to create mismatches for their playmakers. He would give the coaching staff a specialized weapon that complements the more traditional skill sets of the players already on the roster, offering a vertical threat that demands constant attention from defensive coordinators.
The Final Word
Most analysts project him to be a second-round selection, likely falling somewhere in the 50s. The Cowboys don’t have a pick in that vicinity of the draft, and it would take some type of draft-day trade to get one. For Stowers to be seriously considered, the front office would have to deal one of their first-rounders away, likely targeting a defender, but then gain some extra draft compensation. And if the board fell a certain way, then, and only then, would Stowers make sense for them. And even in that precise situation, many fans would not be happy with the decision.
