In the high-stakes evaluation of the NFL Draft, a few inches or a fraction of a second can fundamentally alter a player’s career trajectory. For Vanderbilt standout Eli Stowers, the numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine have sparked a conversation that extends far beyond his current listing as a tight end. With explosive leaping ability and a frame built for dominance, Stowers is increasingly viewed as a candidate for a position switch that could redefine his professional ceiling.
The discourse shifted during a late February telecast when NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah, a veteran scout for three different NFL franchises, drew a striking comparison between Stowers and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf. Even as the two differ in raw top-end speed, their physical profiles are remarkably similar. Stowers, measuring 6-foot-3 3/4 and 239 pounds, posted a 45 1/2-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot-3-inch broad jump—both of which set new combine records for tight ends.
For a player of his size, Stowers possesses the rare athleticism required to make the transition to wide receiver. While he clocked a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, the time may be a conservative estimate of his true potential. Stowers revealed in an interview with NFL Draft On SI that a hamstring strain suffered weeks before the combine hampered his preparation. “Funny story, I actually wasn’t going to run the 40,” Stowers said. “I had strained my hamstring a couple of weeks before the Combine. I hadn’t run full speed since. Running the 40, that was the first time I had run at full speed since my hamstring. I made the decision to run the 40 the night before.”
This athletic profile suggests that athletic tight ends like NFL draft prospect Eli Stowers should welcome change to WR, not just for the sake of fit, but for the long-term financial and professional advantages that come with the wide receiver label in the modern era.
The Case for the Position Switch
Stowers is not merely a “workout warrior”. his production at Vanderbilt confirms his viability as a high-volume target. In 2025, he earned the John Mackey Award as the nation’s most outstanding tight end after hauling in 62 passes for 769 yards and four touchdowns. His 769 receiving yards were the most of any Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) tight end last season. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Stowers similarly ranked second among FBS tight ends in yards after catch (377) and led the position over the last two seasons with 34 receptions of 15 yards or more.
The transition to wide receiver would solve the primary criticism of Stowers’ game: his blocking. Having begun his collegiate career as a quarterback at Texas A&M, Stowers has always been more of a natural receiver than a traditional inline blocker. At Vanderbilt, he was primarily utilized in the slot, where he recorded 406 receiving yards—the third-most among FBS tight ends in 2025 per PFF. He also recorded 119 receiving yards while lined up wide, the second-most for a tight end in the FBS.
Physically, Stowers aligns more closely with the mold of Mike Evans than DK Metcalf. Evans, a perennial Pro Bowler, measured 6-foot-4 3/4 and 231 pounds at the 2014 Combine with a 4.53-second 40-yard dash. If Stowers chooses to lean out slightly, his speed could realistically climb into the mid-to-high 4.4s, mirroring the trajectory of the late Vincent Jackson, who entered the league at 241 pounds before settling into a 230-pound frame for a career featuring six 1,000-yard seasons.
| Player | Position | Weight | 40-Yard Dash | Vertical Jump |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eli Stowers | TE | 239 lbs | 4.51s | 45.5″ |
| DK Metcalf | WR | 228 lbs | 4.33s | 40.5″ |
| Mike Evans | WR | 231 lbs | 4.53s | 37.0″ |
| Vincent Jackson | WR | 241 lbs | 4.46s | 39.0″ |
The Financial Reality of the NFL Market
Beyond the tactical advantages, the move to wide receiver is a strategic financial decision. The pay gap between the two positions has widened into a chasm. While elite tight ends are highly valued, their salaries have not kept pace with the explosion of the wide receiver market. Currently, the top of the tight end market is anchored by George Kittle and Trey McBride, both averaging approximately $19 million per year.
In contrast, the wide receiver market has skyrocketed. Jaxon Smith-Njigba recently signed a four-year extension with the Seattle Seahawks averaging $42.15 million per year, featuring a record $120,067,996 in total guarantees. There are currently 21 wide receivers with contracts averaging more than George Kittle’s $19.1 million annual salary, while only two tight ends (Kittle and McBride) maintain multi-year contracts of at least $15 million per year.
The data suggests a stagnant trend for tight ends. Since 2020, the top of the tight end market has increased by only 27.33%, failing to keep pace with a salary cap that grew by 51.97% in the same period. Meanwhile, the top of the wide receiver market grew by 91.59% since August 2020. For Stowers, the choice is clear: to earn a veteran contract comparable to an average starting wide receiver, he would need to be an all-time elite tight end. By switching positions, he enters a market where the “average” starting salary—excluding rookie deals—was $17,816,202 in 2025, according to NFLPA data.
A Modern Blueprint for Transition
The NFL is already experimenting with “hybrid” roles that could serve as a bridge for Stowers. The Los Angeles Rams provided a potential blueprint last season with rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson. Due to wide receiver injuries, the Rams frequently utilized “13 personnel” (one RB, three TEs), splitting Ferguson out wide for 22.75% of his 356 offensive snaps. While Ferguson’s catch volume was low, he averaged 21 yards per catch and led all tight ends with 13 targets on passes of 20 yards or more.
This gradual transition mirrors how the Dallas Cowboys handled Micah Parsons, who evolved from an off-ball linebacker into a premier edge rusher over time. For Stowers, the risk of the move is minimal. If a full-time transition to wide receiver fails to yield results, his ability to play the tight end position remains a viable fallback. However, the potential for a massive payday and a more natural fit as a perimeter threat makes the switch an attractive proposition.
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, Stowers remains a top prospect. While Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is widely viewed as the top tight end in the class, Stowers is projected as a mid-to-late second-round pick. The next critical checkpoint for Stowers will be the final team evaluations and private workouts, where NFL teams will determine if he is best suited for the interior of the offense or as a towering presence on the outside.
Do you think Eli Stowers is better suited as a jumbo wide receiver or a modern tight end? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
