Eli Stowers: NFL Draft Prospect for SF 49ers

0:00It's April 9th. Welcome in. This is NFL News Today, where the league meets AI. I'm Corey with the story. The San Francisco 49ers are eyeing tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft, with Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers emerging as a name to watch. Mock Draft slot him around the 59th overall pick, right after the 9ers 58 selection in Round 2. He's a big, fast pass catcher, who stretches the field and wins jump balls. Stowers stands out with his quarterback background, helping him read defenses, create separation, and sit in zones like a pro. That makes him a nightmare for secondaries, turning him into a reliable target over the middle. But blocking is his big weakness. He often looks disengaged, and without improvement, teams might just match him with extra defensive backs like a oversized receiver. His linear movement limits quick cuts too. Style-wise, he mirrors Evan Ingram, a receiving threat who's been held back by poor blocking.

1:01For the Niners, Stowers could tempt them if they love his upside, but their run-heavy scheme demands blockers like George Kittle. Adding another weak one next to Jake Tonga's, wouldn't fit their needs. Still, if Stowers shines in workouts, he might slide right into that pick and force their hand. Keep an eye on how he bokes up his game before draft.