Broncos target new version of Mike Evans’ impact in 2026 draft after missing out on veteran wide receiver in free agency
The Denver Broncos are doing their due diligence ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft. Next week, they’re expected to host a visit with one of the best tight ends in the entire draft class.
The Denver Broncos have one of the most complete rosters in all of football after a frenzy at the beginning of free agency and in the early stages of the offseason. Ahead of the NFL Draft, ESPN ranked them as the No. 5 team in all of football.
One of the biggest reasons they received that grade was that Denver took care of its own. The Broncos re-signed several key players, running it back for another season. Not only that, but the team made a splash by trading for former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Waddle is going to make an immediate impact on the offense.
Another player who could make an impact in the offense is one that the team has reportedly already held a visit with ahead of the NFL Draft. That man is none other than Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers.
Ryan Fowler was the first to report on Denver’s visit, with him coming up next week.
Eli Stowers may change positions once he reaches the NFL
As Ian Rapoport reported, while Stowers is officially a tight end, several teams are evaluating him as a wide receiver. He’s 6-foot-4, 239 pounds, and can be compared to Mike Evans. He’s already had visits with the Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans, and Dallas Cowboys ahead of his visit with the Broncos.
In his two seasons at Vanderbilt, he played in 25 games with 111 receptions for 1,407 yards and nine touchdowns. He also averaged 12.7 yards per reception and 56.3 yards per game during that time.
What’s wild is that he started his career at Texas A&M as a tight end before switching over to playing quarterback. He was listed as a quarterback in 2022 for the Aggies before transferring to New Mexico State, where he also played quarterback. Once he transferred to Vanderbilt, that’s where he stayed as a tight end.
What Eli Stowers brings to the table if Denver were to draft him
Ryan Roberts from A to Z Sports broke down what Stowers brings to the table as either a tight end or wide receiver while also discussing his interesting journey through college.
“Eli Stowers was originally a four-star quarterback recruit for Texas A&M. After spending two seasons in College Station with the Aggies, he opted to transfer to New Mexico State. Stowers lost that new quarterback competition to Diego Pavia, which ended up being a blessing in disguise. He made the transition to tight end, where he’s been one of the best in college football during his final two seasons.
“Stowers is a pure F tight end who is going to be used a ton on the move and in the slot. From that alignment, Stowers has tremendous explosiveness and upside in the passing game. With almost no upside as a blocker, Stowers is eerily similar to Evan Engram. His game presents huge upside for a passing offense that wants to utilize him as a mismatch weapon on linebackers, safeties, and slot defenders.” – Ryan Roberts
If the Broncos are serious about continuing to build one of the most dangerous offenses in football, this is exactly the kind of chess piece you add. Stowers isn’t your traditional tight end. He’s a matchup nightmare waiting to happen. And now, in an offense featuring Waddle, he wouldn’t have to carry the load right away.
Instead, he could be deployed exactly how he’s meant to be used. Moved around, isolated on defenders, and allowed to create explosive plays in space.
For a team already knocking on the door, adding a player like that could be the kind of move that quietly takes Denver from contender to something much more dangerous.
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