Cashius Howell
Career Summary
Cashius Howell is a Kansas City edge defender who played at Bowling Green and Texas A&M before Cincinnati selected him in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Howell developed across three seasons at Bowling Green and two at Texas A&M before the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Early Life
Howell is from Kansas City, Missouri.
Howell is from Kansas City, Missouri.
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College Career
Howell played three seasons at Bowling Green and two at Texas A&M, compiling 27 career sacks.
Howell began at Bowling Green, where he earned third-team All-MAC recognition in 2023 after leading the team with 9.5 sacks. He transferred to Texas A&M for 2024 and 2025, finishing his five-year college career with 127 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, 15 pass breakups, an interception, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
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Path to the NFL
A high-sack career at Bowling Green and Texas A&M led Howell to a second-round NFL opportunity.
Howell transferred from Bowling Green to Texas A&M and elevated his production in his final season. His 2025 output helped Cincinnati make him the ninth selection of the second round.
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NFL Career
Cincinnati selected Howell 41st overall in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Bengals selected Howell with the 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He signed his rookie contract with Cincinnati in June 2026.
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Career Accomplishments
Howell was SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team AP All-American after his final college season.
In 2025, Howell recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks, earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors, and was named a first-team Associated Press All-American. He became the first Texas A&M player since Myles Garrett in 2015 to record at least 11 sacks in a season.
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Playing Style
Howell is a bendy edge rusher whose burst, elusiveness, and inside spin counter drive his pass-rush profile.
NFL draft analysis characterized Howell as a bendy edge rusher with standout sack production, burst, and elusiveness. The evaluation cited his inside spin counter and projected early value as a pressure-generating designated rusher.
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32503, 00-0041546, 4/16/2003, Cashius Howell, Cashius, Howell
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
MFT Score: 0.0
2026 preseason baseline. Position-relative and updated through the site’s weekly review process.