Howell's disruptive edge play and SEC production position him as a potential Day 2 draft steal for the Bengals' struggling pass rush.
When the Cincinnati Bengals turned in their card for Cashius Howell early in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, it wasn’t the flashiest move on the board—but it may prove to be one of the smartest.
In a recent article by Pro Football Focus, they rank who they believe were some of the biggest steals from Day 2 of the draft. And one of the players they mention as a steal is the former Texas A&M defensive star.
Howell arrived at Texas A&M with something to prove, and by the time his career in College Station wrapped up, he had done exactly that.
After transferring from Bowling Green, he quickly adjusted to SEC competition and became a disruptive force off the edge. His ability to pressure quarterbacks, set the edge, and play with relentless effort made him a key piece of the Aggies’ defensive front.
He racked up 31 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks in his senior season at A&M. Howell also showed his nose for the ball by forcing a fumble and even defending six passes.
That production didn’t go unnoticed by evaluators, even if it didn’t fully translate to his draft slot. Howell was widely graded higher than where he was ultimately selected, making his landing spot at No. 41 an example of value that strong organizations look to capitalize on. For a Bengals team seeking to reinforce its pass rush, the fit made sense both immediately and long term.
Cincinnati was in the bottom ten teams in the league in terms of getting to the quarterback, and losing star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson this offseason was not a big help. To help remedy that, Howell might prove to be the ideal pick for them.
His progression—from a transfer looking to elevate his game to a high-impact SEC defender and now a coveted draft pick—highlights the growth that has become a hallmark of the Aggies’ system.
In Cincinnati, Howell steps into an opportunity to contribute right away. If his college production and steady development are any indication, the Bengals may have found more than just depth—they may have secured one of the biggest steals of the second round, and maybe even the whole draft.