The Philly Voice's Jimmy Kempski doesn't expect Eagles TE Eli Stowers to make a big impact this season. Kempski points out that rookie TEs generally don't post big receiver numbers (although that hasn't necessarily been the case in recent seasons with guys like Sam LaPorta, Brock Bowers, and Harold Fannin). More crucially, Kempski notes that Stowers' blocking deficiencies will challenge his playing time. Kempski lists both Dallas Goedert and Johnny Mundt ahead of Stowers on Philly's depth chart. Mundt won't contribute much as a pass catcher but is a reliable blocker.
What They're Saying
Kempski: "Odds are that Stowers won't have impressive numbers as a rookie even as a receiver, which is his strength. Part of that will be a result of a lack of playing time. ... as a rookie there's just no way the Eagles can line up Stowers at tight end and ask him to block professional edge defenders at this stage of his development, and they'll have to be mindful about not being too predictable on offense when Stowers is on the field."
2026 Fantasy Football Impact
Stowers remains an exciting long-term bet for dynasty players. He racked up 1,407 yards on 12.7 yards per catch over his final two college seasons and tested as a 94th percentile athlete at the Combine.
But Stowers is light at 239 pounds with very little blocking experience. He played QB in high school and spent just 31.7% of his college snaps run blocking, receiving poor Pro Football Focus grades across his career.
Stowers will probably never be a dominant blocker, but he'll need to develop into a serviceable one so that the Eagles offense can stay balanced when he's on the field. And that development will take time.
We'll track Stowers' role in Philadelphia's 2026 offense through training camp and preseason, but it's tough to see a path to reliable fantasy value in a run-heavy attack behind DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Makai Lemon.
Stowers is only worth a redraft roster spot in leagues with 10+ bench spots.
