Denver Broncos 2026 NFL Draft Preview: Eli Stowers as New 'joker'

Is tight end Eli Stowers who the Denver Broncos are targeting in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Where there's smoke, there's fire. And Stowers' name keeps coming up when it concerns the Broncos.

Denver desperately needs a young tight end—it's their biggest need—and Stowers is the second-best tight end in the upcoming draft. Especially when you consider his pass catching and playmaking abilities.

Denver Broncos 2026 NFL Draft Preview: Eli Stowers as the New 'joker'

Last year, in the leadup to the NFL Draft, it was "joker" this and "joker" that from Sean Payton.

Deebo Samuel was one guy that fit the "joker" mold, then there was Taysom Hill mentioned as the hybrid playmaker, before Denver ultimately drafted RJ Harvey and then signed Evan Engram.

Payton explained to Kay Adams, "A 'joker' can be a tight end or a running back that [has] to be elite receivers...Then you get the matchups...we had quite a few of them here."

Harvey was fantastic out of the backfield as a receiver last year. He led the Broncos in touchdowns with 12; 7 rushing and 5 receiving. Still, Denver and Payton are always looking for more offensive firepower, and Eli Stowers could be that new "joker" he wants.

From Andrew Mason on Bluesky, an interview with NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah on Stowers fit with the Broncos:

"I don't know that he's (Stowers) going to be a butt-kicker in there (as a blocker), but he can improve in that area. I don't know how much you're really going to put his hand in the ground, though. I just think he's comfortable as kind of that jumbo slot," Jeremiah explained. "He's explosive. He's got unbelievable ball skills to go track it and go get it down the field. The highlights are exceptional...I think he's a second-round pick all day long...And if you talk about that conversation that's taking place in Denver forever about trying to find the 'joker' and finding the mismatch-type players, this definitely fits that bill."

Denver met with Stowers on Tuesday, and where there's smoke, there's fire.

Positives and Negatives for Eli Stowers

The downside of Stowers' game is his blocking. He's not a great blocker, or even a good one.

But the upside is he's a phenomenal playmaker.

"His run-blocking ceiling might be low, but his traits create above-average potential as a pass-catching "F" tight end, fitting the growing trend of utilizing two- and three-tight-end sets more heavily," explains Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.

Stowers began his career in college as a quarterback and converted to tight end in 2022 with New Mexico State. Then, he transferred to Vanderbilt in 2024 and became first-team SEC. Last year, Stowers was a First-Team All-American and the John Mackey Award Winner (best tight end). His 769 receiving yards led the country, and he earned them on 62 receptions, and added four touchdowns.

The fact that he's a converted quarterback points to him not being the most physical type of tight end. He may never be a great blocker, but he could be a great receiver. So, just like how Denver kept Nate Adkins on the team because he's a blocking specialist, they may find a spot for a guy like Stowers who's a receiving specialist.

Stowers ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and his athleticism score (86) was 4th-best among tight ends. He has the speed to run past linebackers and get himself open. And he uses that speed for run after the catch yardage, taking screens for first downs.

Stowers also has great hands, and catches with them, rather than with his body. He has a spectacular 45.5" vertical and can make contested catches up high.

What are the Denver Broncos 2026 Draft Picks?

Denver possesses seven total picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, with their first pick coming in the second round. Their seven total picks are as follows:

Round 2: No. 62 overall

Round 4: No. 108 (from New Orleans)

Round 4: No. 111 (from Miami)

Round 5: No. 170

Round 7: No. 246

Round 7: No. 256*

Round 7: No. 257*

The Broncos don't have a first-round pick because they traded away the No. 30 overall pick to the Miami Dolphins for Jaylen Waddle. That trade included a third-rounder (No. 94) and a fourth-rounder (No. 130) but brought back Miami's 3rd (No. 117). The Nos. 256 and 257 are compensatory picks for losing Javante Williams and Riley Dixon to free agency in 2025.

Eli Stowers could fit into the Denver Broncos 2026 NFL Draft in the second round at that No. 62 overall pick.

CBS Sports ranks Stowers as the No. 68 prospect in the entire draft, while ESPN puts him at No. 36. If ESPN is right, he may not fall to Denver. But if they love him, they could possibly move up in the second to nab him.

Denver Broncos 2026 Draft Needs

Denver's needs aren't many, but they are most glaring at tight end, inside linebacker, and defensive line. After those gaps are filled, the Broncos could be looking to fill needs at safety, and a bruiser-type running back. Then, there's always wide receiver and cornerback, where you can never have too many playmakers.

If the Broncos Don't Take Eli Stowers, Other Tight Ends Abound

The 2026 NFL Draft is decently strong at tight end.

Stowers is the second-best prospect behind Kenyon Sadiq of Bo Nix's alma mater, Oregon. Sadiq will almost certainly go in the first half of the first round, so Denver doesn't have a chance to get him.

But in that second and even into the third and fourth round, there are a handful of other solid tight ends the Broncos could select.

They are:

• Max Klare, Ohio State
• Sam Roush, Stanford
• Justin Joly, NC State

Nick Baumgartner of The Athletic has Denver Max Klare at No. 62. Klare, out of Ohio State, is another highly athletic tight end that knows how to catch. But he also is a decent blocker, as his blocking improved over the course of 2025. From NFL.com: “He doesn’t have Dalton Kincaid’s catch skills, but he could have that kind of production with how athletic he is.” - AFC executive

Chad Reuter of NFL.com has the Broncos taking Roush at No. 62. Whereas Stowers leans more heavily into the pass-catching role, Roush is definitely more a blocking tight end than a receiver. He's much bigger and slower than Stowers (4.7 40-yard dash) but does have decently reliable hands. He's being comped to Dawson Knox, which would be phenomenal for Denver if he improved to that level.

Justin Joly is a bit undersized but he's strong and sturdy. He has to work on his route-running, but a lot of tight ends do when they come out of college. He's got a 4th round grade if the Broncos wanted to wait for a tight end.

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Rich Kurtzman was born and raised in Denver Colorado and attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins in the aughts. He's been a professional writer since 2011, covering Colorado State football and men's basketball, as well as the Denver Broncos, for many outlets. Current Denver Broncos work can be found on Mile High Sports. Previous credits include CBS Denver and The USA TODAY Sports Media Group.

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