Giants Secretly Scouting This Unlikely Quarterback Prospect
By 813 Staff
Breaking from the sidelines: Giants Secretly Scouting This Unlikely Quarterback Prospect, according to Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) (this afternoon).
Source: https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2044025000512876599
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers front office has made a clear decision to thoroughly vet the top tight end prospects in this year’s draft class, a move that signals their intent to solidify the position for the long term behind veteran Cade Otton. This isn't just due diligence; it's a targeted search for a specific athletic profile to enhance an offense that demands versatility. That search led them to bring in one of the most intriguing physical specimens available, former Texas A&M quarterback-turned-tight-end Eli Stowers, for a Top 30 visit today, as first reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet). League sources confirm the visit is part of a series of deep dives on players projected in the mid-to-late rounds who possess the raw tools the Bucs' offensive staff covets.
Stowers represents the quintessential high-upside project. Having played quarterback for the Aggies before transitioning to tight end, he brings a unique understanding of offensive concepts and route timing, paired with the athleticism that originally made him a dual-threat signal-caller. At 6'4" and 245 pounds with reported 4.6 speed, his combine testing turned enough heads to get him on the radar of teams looking for a modern "move" tight end. The Bucs' interest, confirmed by those close to the situation, is in his ceiling. They see a player who, with dedicated NFL coaching, could develop into a dynamic mismatch weapon in the seam and red zone, a role they've cycled through several players to fill in recent seasons.
Why this matters now is twofold. First, while Otton is entrenched as the starter and coming off a productive year, the depth chart behind him is fluid. The front office has been quietly assessing whether the answer is already on the roster or if they need to invest a draft pick. Second, and more broadly, Head Coach Liam Coen's offensive system places a premium on tight ends who can block adequately but are primarily threats in the passing game. Stowers' background suggests he could be molded into that prototype, though his technical development as a route-runner and blocker is admittedly behind most prospects at the position.
What happens next involves a waiting game. The visit allows the Bucs' coaches and medical staff to get their own detailed evaluation, beyond game tape and combine interviews. The front office will now weigh Stowers' potential against other needs and the board's flow when they're on the clock in the later rounds. The uncertainty is real; drafting a project player is always a gamble on your coaching staff's ability to develop raw talent. But the Bucs' decision to use one of their precious Top 30 visits on him is a strong indicator that they believe the gamble could pay off, adding a new, explosive dimension to their offensive arsenal for the future.
