Eli Stowers: Vikings' Second-Round Steal?

0:00It's April 23rd, I'm Corey with The Story, and this is NFL News Today Football News powered by AI. Everyone's talking Kenyan Sadiq from Oregon as the top tide end for the 2026 draft, but don't sleep on Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers. He's sitting pretty at number 49 on the big board, which lines up exactly with the Minnesota Viking's second round pick. If Sadiq goes early, like to Baltimore, Stowers could be their perfect grab on Friday 9th. Stowers stands 6 foot 4, weighs 239 pounds, and blaze the 4.51 in the 40 at the combine. He switched from quarterback in high school, so he's got that natural feel for the game. Coaches love his hands, huge catch radius, and how he can line up anywhere on offense. Fans and analysts see big potential here, comparing his explosiveness to stars like Vernon Davis and Kyle Pitt. Last season, he had a high rate of big plays, solid yards after catch, and broke tackles like a pro. His testing numbers popped too, with a 45.5 inch vertical and an 11 foot 3 broad jump.

1:05Meanwhile, the Vikings need tight and help bad. TJ Hockinson took a pay cut, but likely bounces after next year, especially since they've used him more for blocking lately. Stowers could learn from him right away and fit Kevin O'Connell's scheme with his speed and trick play smarts. If they pass on Stowers, they've got solid, non-tight end choices like defensive tackles, or why receivers at 49, plus later rounds for guys, like Max Claire. Either way, Minnesota's building smart at this spot keeps their offense humming into the future.