One 2026 NFL Scouting Combine standout may already have an advantage as a potential successor to Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce.

While the buzz out of Indianapolis is that the Chiefs would like for Kelce to return for a 14th season, Father Time remains undefeated. Sooner rather than later, Kansas City will have to plan for life after Kelce. There’s no time like the present, with the 2026 NFL Draft loaded with talented prospects at the position.

Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers lit the NFL Draft world on fire with his performance in testing and drills on Friday, recording the farthest and highest jumps by a tight end since 2003. At a hair under 6-foot-4 and 239 pounds, he ran a 4.51s 40-yard dash. He’s drawn athletic comparisons to wide receivers, such as D.K. Metcalf as a result. It makes sense as he’s much more of a move/flex/power slot player at the tight end position than he is a traditional in-line blocker.

The QB-to-TE convert, something he also shares in common with Kelce, recorded 111 receptions for 1,407 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in two seasons at Vanderbilt. He was a 2025 All-American and John Mackey Award-winner as the best tight end in the nation.

The athleticism and production have a certain appeal and luster. However, what really separates him and makes him a fit here is the information that his college quarterback shared with the media during the combine this week.

Diego Pavia says Vanderbilt deployed TE Eli Stowers with Chiefs TE Travis Kelce in mind

In football, imitation (or stealing plays) is the best form of flattery. Oftentimes, it’s the NFL game borrowing from the college game, but in this case, it’s actually the inverse. When Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia was asked about Eli Stowers during his podium session, he revealed that the duo had long been borrowing plays from the Chiefs’ playbook, with Stowers playing the role of Kelce.

“Man, he deserves every single part of what’s coming for him,” Pavia said, via A to Z Sports’ Destin Adams. “You’ll see him today. I think he’s going to do everything at the combine. He’s a phenomenal athlete. Whatever team gets him, they’re going to get a quarterback at tight end. What we did at Vanderbilt and New Mexico State — we installed plays around Travis Kelce that they ran with the Chiefs because Eli (Stowers) was so smart, and so was Travis. We were able to do things like that because of Eli.”

Should the Chiefs draft Stowers, he might not know the lingo, but he’ll almost certainly know a chunk of the X’s and O’s if what Pavia says is true. Stowers himself mentioned Kelce as the first NFL player that he studies and watches.

“Yeah, I mean, I’ve watched as many tight ends as I possibly can and continue to try to learn,” Stowers told reporters. “I watch all the greats — Kelce in terms of his route running and ability to get open and catch the ball; Kittle in terms of the mindset, being able to essentially try to be the best at every aspect of tight end, not just running and catching the ball but also being the best blocker in the league. Another guy I watch is Antonio Gates. I think he’s a guy I can learn a lot from in terms of understanding the game, being able to sit, find zones, and get open and be a quarterback’s friend.”

While Stowers did not reveal all of the teams he’s met with during his podium session at the combine, rest assured that the Chiefs have quietly done homework here on Stowers and several players in this tight end class. After all, Brett Veach says the team will be prepared for whatever Kelce decides.