TL;DR
- Cashius Howell is a dynamic edge rusher with impressive production and athleticism.
- His primary concern for the NFL Draft is his unusually short arm length.
- Howell's power, bend, and run defense suggest potential to overcome limitations.
- He is projected as a second-round talent with the possibility of becoming a starter.
Evaluating potential NFL Draft players resembles unwrapping holiday gifts. Some top-tier prospects have been on your radar since summer, and a few truly delight you. You'll also find hidden gems perfect for stuffing stockings, alongside the practical gifts like socks and t-shirts that are appreciated, even if they lack surprise.
Each cycle offers the uncertainty of the unknown, and while every year's bounty is different, draft season remains rather predictable. We can count on a handful of outliers hoping to outperform the red flags in their profile, churning up discourse in the process.
Last season, Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart and his 4.5 career sacks landed in Round 1. His teammate, edge rusher Cashius Howell, will hope to do the same in April.
Howell's capabilities present a compelling argument for a first-round selection.
Regarding college production, the country provides few pass rushers with more experience than Howell. In his fifth year, he topped the MAC with 9.5 sacks during 2023 and is presently leading the SEC with 11.5 as the regular season concludes. He's achieved double-digit tackles for loss on two occasions in the past three years and recorded 13 passes defended over his two seasons at Texas A&M.
He's a powerhouse on Saturdays, and there's a good chance he'll reach the quarterback on Sundays as well.
Howell stands out as one of the most dynamic athletes in this class. He demonstrates explosive power off the line of scrimmage and possesses the fluidity to move effectively in all directions, positioning him as a valuable coverage asset from the edge. Furthermore, he's a creative and persistent finisher when opposing linemen gain an advantage early in a play. Howell's relentless drive, coupled with his athleticism, will significantly aid him in pursuing both ball carriers and quarterbacks. This ability alone might enable him to exceed projected sack totals.
Howell's bend also serves as a profitable element in his pass-rushing capabilities. His remarkable flexibility is evident, and it's plausible he'll succeed with ghost moves professionally.
Howell faces a significant challenge due to his 6'3", 248-pound build. Nevertheless, his power is remarkable, and his ability to hold his ground surpasses what's anticipated. This power effectively converts to speed-to-power, and his occasional bull rush can catch offensive linemen off guard. Consequently, he possesses several methods to consistently overcome skilled tackles.
Howell's shortcomings are prominent in his profile
A regrettable fact is that discussions about Howell begin with his arm span. At 30 6/8", he falls short of typical NFL measurements. For context, that measurement would surpass only one player in Mockdraftable's collection of Combine-tested edge rushers since 1999. Within that group, 452 possess confirmed arm lengths. Once more, Howell's arms currently exceed just one of those individuals (Nate Williams).
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This presents an issue, frequently observed on film. While his hand work isn't terrible, he lacks true technical skill, an intuitive result of not engaging his hands effectively. Larger opponents can often control the flow of the play, hindering him in ways his physical abilities can't compensate for.
As Howell's competition gets bigger, stronger, and faster, there is less room for him to win with speed, and it's likely he gives back some power. To his credit, there are success stories to point to; nobody cares that Trey Hendrickson and Aidan Hutchinson have short arms. Both of them, though, have a full inch in arm length on Howell and at least a dozen pounds.
Howell's NFL projection
Howell's discussion is noteworthy partly due to his perplexing profile. It's unclear if his extraordinary athleticism and unexpected power will set him apart as another anomaly.
His projection is credible due to his athleticism, sufficient physical measurements, and consistent production. Howell demonstrates superior run defense for an edge rusher under 250 pounds, possessing a combination of attributes that suggest success in exploiting small advantages.
| Pass Rush Win Rate | 21.8% |
| Sacks | 11.5 |
| Pressures | 38 |
| 2025 Production Ratio [(Sacks+TFLs)/Games] | 2.23 |
| Career Production Ratio | 1.14 |
| PFF Run Defense Grade | 72.2 |
The player's ability to locate the football, complete sacks, and defend the run effectively bears a resemblance to Pittsburgh Steelers starter Alex Highsmith, and acquiring such talent would command significant resources from teams.
Howell's combination of attributes, game film, and performance has secured him a second-round evaluation on my list prior to his last college contests and the pre-draft process. The significant constraints of his arm length will prevent me from assigning him a Round 1 grade, yet a single team's strong interest could change that.
Regardless of whether he starts as a rotational rusher or the secondary edge defender on his team, he has potential to develop into a starting position. I'd consider that a worthwhile gamble on the second day.
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