Should the Texans draft Cashius Howell?
Cashius Howell is one of the most disputed prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s severely undersized, actually being a historic outlier, but he makes up for it with his explosiveness and refinement as a pass rusher. Regardless of where he goes in April, Howell should be an option for the Houston Texans, who can instantly improve their defensive line.
The biggest issue with Howell is his lack of arm length. He measured in with 30 and ¼ inch arms at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. For reference, he would have the shortest arms for an edge rusher drafted in the first round since 1999 if he goes on the first day.
This issue has led to analysts viewing Howell in vastly different positions. Some see him as a bona fide first-round pick, while others argue he shouldn’t be selected until late-day two. There likely won’t be a consensus landing spot for the foreseeable future. However, no matter the position, Howell should be high on the Texans' draft board.
Houston’s defensive line is already impressive. Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter are both stars, but could use some upgrades behind them. Teams can’t go wrong with selecting another dynamic pass rusher. This is why drafting Howell would make sense for them, especially if he’s available on day two.
Howell’s first step is outstanding. It’s challenging for an offensive lineman to get enough depth to take away the outside shoulder. Additionally, he has incredible bend and can frequently win on the edge. Beyond this, he’s a developed pass rusher and has a variety of effective moves. He plays with excellent leverage and can convert speed to power well, even being significantly smaller than the opposition.
Another major question to Howell’s game is his productivity against the run. He struggles to set the edge and can get overpowered if a lineman gets their hands on him. He has snaps where he’s impactful against the run, but those rarely happen when he gets contacted. He relies too often on beating the lineman to his spot and getting to the backfield unimpeded. He will likely be forced to be a designated pass rusher to start his career.
Overall, Cashius Howell is an incredible pass rusher. However, his historic lack of arm length will undoubtedly take a toll on his draft stock. The exact number is uncertain, and every draft analyst will see him differently, but his impact on the field is undeniable. He would be a valuable addition to the Texans defensive line and elevate an impressive group even further.