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Sometimes, the best evaluations come from those who've lived it or someone who knows a prospect personally. With Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles fans get the best of both worlds. A dozen years ago, this organization took a chance on him, a productive pass catcher from the Vanderbilt Commodores. He earned his second consecutive First-team All-SEC mentions and a First-team All-American honor in 2013.
Jordan Matthews rewarded that faith with five seasons of steady production, including over 3,000 receiving yards and more than a few memorable moments, like his overtime touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys that still lives in Eagles lore. Believe it or not, that one came off the arm of Sam Bradford. You can't make this stuff up. Now, Matthews can take credit for helping to shape what might be the next Eagles star at tight end.
12 years after drafting Mathews in Round 2, 42nd overall, the Eagles hope they have struck second-round gold again. In the 2026 NFL Draft, they selected Eli Stowers 54th overall. If Matthews' early impressions are any indication, they may have found something special. Appearing on 97.5 The Fanatic, Matthews didn't hold back when discussing Stowers' development and potential.
That's not casual praise. That's a veteran recognizing traits that translate. What stands out isn't just Stowers' versatility. It's more than just talent. It's his makeup. Matthews highlighted something coaches value just as much as production: consistency in approach. Whether the offense featured him heavily or not, Stowers remained steady, prepared, and ready to deliver when called upon. That's the type of player who earns trust quickly, and in Philadelphia, trust leads to opportunity. Stowers enters a tight end room headlined by Dallas Goedert, but there's room for growth and creativity in how he's used. His ability to line up in multiple spots, such as tight end, slot, and motion roles, fits perfectly with an offense looking to evolve.
If Matthews is right, the Eagles didn't just draft a tight end. They drafted a mismatch, and if history with Vanderbilt pass catchers tells us anything, this is a story worth watching because sometimes, the best endorsements come from those who've already walked the path, and this organization knows exactly what future success looks like when they see it.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Jordan Matthews says Eli Stowers built for a bigger role with no ego
Continue reading...
Jordan Matthews rewarded that faith with five seasons of steady production, including over 3,000 receiving yards and more than a few memorable moments, like his overtime touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys that still lives in Eagles lore. Believe it or not, that one came off the arm of Sam Bradford. You can't make this stuff up. Now, Matthews can take credit for helping to shape what might be the next Eagles star at tight end.
Eli Stowers is more than a talented prospect.
12 years after drafting Mathews in Round 2, 42nd overall, the Eagles hope they have struck second-round gold again. In the 2026 NFL Draft, they selected Eli Stowers 54th overall. If Matthews' early impressions are any indication, they may have found something special. Appearing on 97.5 The Fanatic, Matthews didn't hold back when discussing Stowers' development and potential.
That's not casual praise. That's a veteran recognizing traits that translate. What stands out isn't just Stowers' versatility. It's more than just talent. It's his makeup. Matthews highlighted something coaches value just as much as production: consistency in approach. Whether the offense featured him heavily or not, Stowers remained steady, prepared, and ready to deliver when called upon. That's the type of player who earns trust quickly, and in Philadelphia, trust leads to opportunity. Stowers enters a tight end room headlined by Dallas Goedert, but there's room for growth and creativity in how he's used. His ability to line up in multiple spots, such as tight end, slot, and motion roles, fits perfectly with an offense looking to evolve.
If Matthews is right, the Eagles didn't just draft a tight end. They drafted a mismatch, and if history with Vanderbilt pass catchers tells us anything, this is a story worth watching because sometimes, the best endorsements come from those who've already walked the path, and this organization knows exactly what future success looks like when they see it.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Jordan Matthews says Eli Stowers built for a bigger role with no ego
Continue reading...
