Will the Panthers sacrifice some run blocking for a potent receiving threat?

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 18: Eli Stowers #9 of the Vanderbilt Commodores prior to the game against the LSU Tigers at FirstBank Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The 2026 NFL Draft is just a week away, so let’s keep look into potential future Panthers on Day 2 of the Draft. This weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2026 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on Vanderbilt Commodores tight end Eli Stowers.

Bio

A four-star recruit out of Texas, Stowers originally committed to Texas A&M as a quarterback. After spending two seasons in a reserve role, he transferred to New Mexico State in 2023 and became a full time tight end. He was a threat through the air and on the ground, earning Honorable Mention All-Conference USA. In 2024, Stowers followed his offensive coordinator to Vanderbilt and thrived with the Commodores, catching 50 passes for 644 yards and five touchdowns, earning first-team All-SEC honors. The awards only increased after an even better 2025 from Stowers: he won both the John Mackey Award and the William V. Campbell Trophy and was a consensus first-team All-American.

Strengths/Weaknesses

The main attribute that jumps off the screen for Stowers is his athleticism and size combination. He arrived at the Combine and measured 6’4”, 239 lbs while running a 4.51 forty and jumping an insane 45.5 inches in the vertical and 11’3” in the broad jump. That speed and quickness helps him lose linebackers in coverage and produce YAC to turn decent gains into good ones. His size allows him to have a massive catch radius, and he has experience lining up all over the offense.

Stowers does struggle with run blocking, in part due to his weight and in part due to his lack of reps when asked to block. His play strength is also a red flag against physical coverage as he can be moved off his spot by bigger, stronger defenders.

Projection

While Kenyon Sadiq gets all the hype, Stowers has quietly had better production throughout his collegiate career while putting up equally insane athletic testing (albeit in different drills). His past as a quarterback allows him to find soft spots in zones, and his size and athleticism allow him to win against man. The 6’4” height and 45.5” vertical make him a difficult cover in the redzone as well. The lack of weight and poor run blocking are probably the main reasons why he is expected to be a Day 2 pick.

The Panthers want to run the football, as Dave Canales has often mentioned. Stowers does not fill the role of an inline blocking tight end at all, but he would provide a reliable receiving option over the middle of the field for Bryce Young. If the Panthers feel confident enough in Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans to be the more blocking-oriented tight ends, they might decide to bring Stowers in to be that offensive chess piece (and even a trick play quarterback from time to time).

What do you think, Panthers fans? If Eli Stowers is available when the Panthers select on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!