Four Players to Watch as DBs & TEs Begin Combine Workouts

The Ravens have some question marks surrounding the tight end and cornerback rooms as the offseason continues. Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar could hit the open market, and the uncertainty surrounding Marlon Humphrey’s future leaves a questionable lack of experience at the corner position. It might not be the deepest class in terms of either position, but there are still a number of talented tight ends and defensive backs to keep your eye on as workouts continue this evening.

Eli Stowers, Tight End, Vanderbilt

Eli Stowers might be the most interesting tight end prospect in the 2026 draft class. The former quarterback-turned-tight end thrives as a natural pass catcher. His ability to utilize his speed and athleticism to create explosive plays after the catch truly sticks out on film, and he’s posted back-to-back seasons with 300+ YAC. The John Mackey award winner (Nation’s Best TE) can improve on his contested catches, but Stowers’ knack for finding the chains and getting past the stick on shorter route schemes was key to his and Vanderbilt’s success in 2025. Stowers isn’t the greatest run blocker, but he makes up for it with his abilities in the passing attack. Should the Ravens re-sign Kolar over Likely, Stowers seems like the perfect replacement to Baltimore’s three-tight-end system. It’d more than likely take a Day 2 pick for the Ravens to select Stowers, but that can’t be too high for a franchise that values tight ends as much any team in the league.

STRENGTHS

• Uses speed to beat linebackers over the seam
• Thrives at bringing in passes outside his frame
• Legit vertical allows him to grab the ball at his highest point

WEAKNESSES

• Below average run blocker
• Tends to drift into his routes, instead of using quick cuts out of his breaks
• Gets jammed too often against hands-y coverage

Jack Endries, Tight End, Texas

Jack Endries brings a basketball big man play-style to the NFL, showing a real strength in boxing out defenders and getting his hands on the ball. Finishing 2026 with a 60% contested catch rate, Endries can bring in possession even with defenders draped all over him, as seen on his film. Endries dominates against man-coverage, building speed as his route progresses to attack intermediate routes. The Texas tight end brings a bit more upside to his run-blocking than Stowers. Endries isn’t a dominant run-blocker by any means, but shows an ability to win and stay after blocks when he gets a solid connection. He can make a difference as a puller or motion blocker, giving him the opportunity to create angles. His multiple alignment skill set is truly intriguing, but he lives as a detached tight end who can produce on free releases. He carries a Day 2 or Day 3 value with him into Friday evening’s workouts, and looks to lock himself into the first three rounds with a solid performance in Indianapolis.

STRENGTHS

• Uses hand extension to beat tight man coverage
• Started every game across three years of Power 4 football
• Plays through contact at the top of his routes

WEAKNESSES

• Underwhelming quickness out of his breaks
• Below-average blocking angles
• Too many double catches- could lead to drops at the next level

Chris Johnson, Cornerback, San Diego St

It’s hard to argue the need for a corner in this draft, with a plethora of question marks surrounding the Ravens at the position. The Jaire Alexander experiment failed, Marlon is getting older and coming off the worst season of his career, Nate Wiggins wasn’t the lockdown corner we expected in 2025, and two season-ending injuries to cornerback draft picks last year leave the depth worrisome. Selecting a player in the secondary with three of their last five first-round picks, including Wiggins and Malaki Starks in back-to-back drafts, it’s clear the value Baltimore sees in an elite secondary. Johnson could bring a lot of value to Baltimore’s defense, without utilizing another first-round pick to grab him. Johnson brings value both as a slot and boundary corner, showing a real skill in mirroring his receivers. Compared to a lot of college corners, Johnson shows real discipline in not grabbing and using his hands to win his reps, trusting his technique and footwork. He’s the perfect pairing for a defense searching for a coverage-hungry defensive back.

STRENGTHS

• Controlled coverage movement
• Consistent ability to mirror and match releases
• True wrap-up tackler

WEAKNESSES

• Tends to lose position at the top of the route
• Can get overworked against a bigger-bodied receiver

Keionte Scott, Cornerback, Miami

Keionte Scott brings a linebacker-like skill set to the NFL, showing an ability to win at the line of scrimmage and slip off blocks to make plays in the backfield. Ball production isn’t anything to write home about, after totaling just five total turnovers across four years of college ball. He limits YAC by closing space and wrapping up at the point of attack before receivers can get upfield. Scott’s ability to blitz off the edge is eye-popping on screen, totaling 20 pressures and 5.0 sacks during the 2025 season with Miami. Scott’s age and experience could make him an immediate slot starter, specifically in a defensive scheme that allows him to play with his eyes forward. It’s a bit of a deeper class in terms of corner, but a guy like Scott could be a nice addition to Baltimore’s defense, which could use an explosive player like Keionte.

STRENGTHS

• Has a real trigger and burst to his game
• Legit production off the edge, despite his position
• Low missed tackle rate, closing in before wrapping up

WEAKNESSES

• Inconsistent reading route progression
• Comes in too hot as a blitzer at times, not breaking himself down before contact

The post Four Players to Watch as DBs & TEs Begin Combine Workouts appeared first on Russell Street Report.

Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/02/27/nfl-draft/four-players-to-watch-as-dbs-tes-begin-combine-workouts/