Rams meet with highly-touted TE prospect ahead of 2026 draft

The Los Angeles Rams are no strangers to targeting unique offensive weapons, and they may have found one of the most intriguing players in the 2026 class. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Rams recently met with Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers, a versatile playmaker who is being scouted as both a receiver and a tight end.

The 6-foot-4, 239-pound Stowers transitioned from quarterback in high school to tight end in college and won the 2025 John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end this past season for Vanderbilt. During his final season at Vanderbilt, Stowers caught 62 receptions for 769 yards and four touchdowns this past season.

The Rams don't need tight end support, but they could always use versatile offensive weapons. Stowers ran a 4.51 40-yard dash with a massive 45.5-inch vertical jump. While he is still developing as an in-line blocker, his ability to operate as a "big slot" receiver would give head coach Sean McVay a dangerous mismatch tool to pair with Davante Adams, Puka Nacua and 2025 second-round tight end Terrance Ferguson.

Stowers is an intriguing player, but one the Rams would likely wait to look at until their second-round pick.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams meet with highly-touted TE prospect ahead of 2026 draft