Now that we know who the newest members of the Cincinnati Bengals are, following the NFL Draft, we can start learning more about the prospects, both on and off the field.
This will kick off a series of posts highlighting each draft pick for the Bengals with a few interesting facts about the player, with the help of Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” draft guide. We’ll kick off the series with second-round pick Cashius Howell, the edge defender from Texas A&M.
Howell led all SEC players in sacks in 2025, led MAC in 2023
Howell comes into the NFL on the heels of one of his best, if not his most productive, seasons during his collegiate career. Howell led the SEC with 11 sacks for the playoff-bound Aggies, starting 13 games and adding 14.5 tackles for a loss and six passes defended. He was an unanimous All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-SEC in 2025.
In addition to leading the SEC in sacks in 2025, his 9.5 sacks for Bowling Green in 2023 was the most among all players in the MAC. He was named Third-Team All-MAC.
Floor could be Haason Reddick
In his quick scouting report takeaway, Brugler believes the floor for Howell could be as a pass-rush specialist, similar to that of Haason Reddick, who had four straight seasons with double-digit sacks, including 16 in 2022 with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Howell needs to expand the consistency of his impact beyond winning as a high-side rusher, but his athletic twitch, play speed and violent demeanor make for the type of package you bet on at the position. At worst, he should be a designated pass rusher, with the ceiling of a versatile NFL starter (like Haason Reddick) who can be moved around the front.”
Was among fastest edge-rushers at Scouting Combine
Howell posted a 4.59 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Only three defensive ends ran faster 40 times and all three went in the first round — Arvell Reese (4.46), David Bailey (4.50), Malachi Lawrence (4.52).
Even better than that, his 1.58 10-yard split was tied for the best at the position, along with Reese.
Howell’s 4.59 40 and 1.58 10-yard split ranked in the 90th and 92nd percentiles, respectively, according to Mockdraftable.
Played running back and wide receiver in high school
Howell was a weapon on the offensive side of the football at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri. He began as a running back — a 5-foot-7, 150-pound freshman running back — before growing to 6-foot-2 by his junior year and playing wide receiver (caught two touchdown passes as a junior). He also played along the defensive line and had 13 sacks as a junior, including one game where he recorded five sacks.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: 4 Factoids on Bengals’ second-round pick Cashius Howell
Reporting by Billy Riccette, Bengals Wire / Bengals Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
