Draft position does not always reflect marketability value. Some of the most intriguing upside lives outside the first round, where athletes bring unique combinations of performance, growth, and audience connection that brands can tap into early.

Lee Hunter and Eli Stowers both project as mid round picks, but their marketability profiles are driven by two very different strengths. The key is understanding where their value actually comes from.

Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

Lee Hunter’s marketability is anchored in growth.

At Texas Tech, he built a reputation as a disruptive force on the interior, a role that does not always get the spotlight but consistently produces impactful, shareable moments. That on-field presence has started to translate into real audience expansion.

Key Marketability Stat: 260.19% 6 month follower growth

That level of growth signals momentum. Hunter’s audience is not static, it is actively scaling, which is one of the most important indicators for long-term NIL value. His 56.9K followers paired with a 7.9% engagement rate show a solid foundation, but the growth rate is what stands out. It suggests increasing visibility and a platform that is still climbing.

His content performance backs that up. Median reel plays at 102.6K significantly outperform his follower count, indicating reach beyond his core audience. That kind of distribution is what allows a player at his position to break through and become more visible nationally.

Hunter’s profile is about trajectory. The audience is growing quickly, the content travels, and the foundation is in place for that growth to continue at the next level.

Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Eli Stowers’ marketability is built on engagement.

A former quarterback turned tight end at Vanderbilt, his versatility has always been part of his identity. That adaptability carries over into how his content performs, and the numbers reflect a platform that is highly responsive.

Key Marketability Stat: 255.34% draft month engagement rate

That number is the differentiator. It points to a surge in attention at the exact moment visibility matters most. While his total audience sits at 11.4K followers, the way that audience interacts is what elevates his profile.

A 32.9% engagement rate over six months is already elite, but the jump to 255.34% in the last 30 days shows a spike driven by relevance. His median likes jumping to 29.7K and comments rising to 76 reinforce that this is not passive growth. It is active engagement.

Even his reel performance reflects efficiency, with plays increasing alongside engagement, proving that his content is not just being seen, it is converting.

Stowers’ profile is about impact. A smaller audience, but one that responds at a level that makes every post carry more weight.

Two Different Paths to Marketability Value

Hunter and Stowers represent two distinct ways to win in the NIL space.

Hunter is driven by growth. A rapidly expanding audience and strong reach metrics position him as a long-term scaling play.

Stowers is driven by engagement. A highly active audience and sharp spikes in interaction make him an immediate impact asset.

Both profiles create value. The difference is how that value shows up.

Hunter brings momentum.
Stowers brings conversion.

That is what makes both of them true marketability steals in the 2026 NFL Draft.