CINCINNATI (AP) – The Cincinnati Bengals bolstered their pass rush on Friday night by selecting Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell with their first pick in the NFL draft.
Howell, the 41st overall pick, became the third edge rusher chosen in the second round. He earned recognition as an Associated Press first-team All-American and was named the SEC’s defensive player of the year.
Player Profile and Impact
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 253 pounds, Howell is leaner than the typical Bengals defensive lineman. His speed and agility provide a significant upgrade to the team’s pass rush depth, as evidenced by his 11 1/2 sacks last season.
Following a trade of their 10th overall pick to the New York Giants for Dexter Lawrence, this selection marked the Bengals’ first absence from the first round since 1989.
Joining the Roster
Howell will join fellow defensive ends Myles Murphy, Boye Mafe, and Shemar Stewart on the Bengals’ roster. While the team had pressing needs at linebacker and cornerback, they prioritized adding a premium pass rusher like Howell.
Assistant general manager Mike Potts expressed enthusiasm about Howell’s potential impact, stating, “The quick wins he can give us as a rusher is really dynamic. His arsenal of rush tools and moves that he has, I thought it was second to none in this draft class.”
Versatility and Skillset
Defensive coordinator Al Golden highlighted Howell’s versatility, noting, “He can play 4-2 edge. He can play outside backer if you go into five down (linemen). He showed proficiency being able to drop. He can help us on special teams. This is a multi-faceted athlete. A really, really twitched up guy.”
Potts mentioned that the Bengals considered various options to move up or down the draft board but ultimately decided to stay at pick No. 41, securing Howell, who had made a strong impression during the pre-draft process.
Player Background
Howell began his college journey as a redshirt at Bowling Green before transferring to Texas A&M in 2024, where he had a breakout season in 2025.
“They told me on my (pre-draft) visit that they’d hope I fall to them,” Howell remarked. “It’s a blessing.”
Addressing Team Needs
The Bengals had three impact pass rushers on the roster but lacked depth beyond that. Prior to the draft, Isaiah Foskey served as the team’s fourth defensive end, despite not being on the roster at the start of last season.
Although the Bengals could have selected a potential starter at linebacker or cornerback, they remained focused on addressing the defensive end position early in the draft, successfully doing so with Howell.
Future Selections
In the third round, the Bengals opted for potential by selecting Washington cornerback Tacario Davis, who fills a critical backup role with the physical attributes to develop into a future starter. The front office was impressed with his combination of size, speed, and production.