The Philadelphia Eagles have received some concerning updates on first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon in recent days. Unfortunately for the Eagles, second-round selection Eli Stowers isn’t exactly crushing his first NFL summer either.
For the most part, Stowers hasn’t been noticeable at all in training camp — in a good or bad way. At least that’s the analysis Philly Voice’s Nick Tricome offered while breaking down the team’s fourth day of training camp practice Monday.
“Stowers, the second-round tight end, was always intended to be a project, but his athleticism and pass-catching prowess were his selling points. Yet so far, it’s hard to see it,” wrote Tricome.
“Stowers ran a drag route across the middle of the field during second-team reps. Andy Dalton lasered a pass to him, but linebacker Arnold Ebiketie swallowed Stowers up and ripped the ball right out of his grasp for an emphatic pass breakup.
“That was probably the most noticeable Stowers’ No.87 was all day.”
The Eagles picked Stowers at No. 54 overall in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. At Vanderbilt last season, he had 62 catches, 769 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Behind those statistics, Stowers made the All-American team.
Eli Stowers Struggling at Eagles Training Camp
GettyThe Philadelphia Eagles picked Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
In additional training camp analysis of the Eagles practice Monday, other pundits barely mentioned Stowers or not at all. NBC Sports’ Dave Zangaro only referred to the rookie tight end as the target on a pass defensive lineman Arnold Ebiketie was able to knock incomplete.
That’s the point, really. Stowers isn’t distinguishing himself at his first training camp. He’s not necessarily performing poorly. He’s not earning repetitions.
It’s early. There’s still more than a week until the Eagles play their first preseason contest, and then Stowers will have three exhibition games to work things out.
As Tricome wrote, the Vanderbilt tight end is a project. He’s not supposed to be a star immediately.
It would just be nice if he could show some sign of being an elite tight end prospect worthy of an early Day 2 selection.
Eagles Long-Term Plan for Stowers
GettyHead coach Nick Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles haven’t seen much yet from second-round pick Eli Stowers according to Philly Voice’s Nick Tricome.
Again, it would be encouraging if the Eagles saw more signs from Stowers that he’s eventually going to contribute. But Philadelphia doesn’t necessarily need the Vanderbilt tight end this season.
Veteran tight end Dallas Goedert, who led the Eagles in receiving touchdowns last season, will return. Fellow tight end Grant Calcaterra will be back too.
Furthermore, Philadelphia stock piled the position with other veterans such as Johnny Mundt and Stone Smartt.
More than likely, this season will be Goedert’s final year with the Eagles. While he had incredible touchdown success last season, he averaged a career-low 9.9 yards per catch and he will turn 32 in January.
The plan appears to be for Stowers to replace Goedert at tight end next season.
So, Stowers has time to develop. Showing signs that he eventually will be the guy, though, would certainly be reassuring.
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