CINCINNATI (AP) 鈥� The Cincinnati Bengals continued to invest in their pass rush Friday night by selecting Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell with their first pick of the .
Howell was the 41st overall player taken in the draft and the third edge rusher in the second round. He was an Associated Press first-team All-American and the SEC’s defensive player of the year.
Howell is 6-foot-2 and 253 pounds, which is leaner than the Bengals typically go for on the defensive line. He offers the Bengals speed around the edge and upgrades their pass rush depth. Howell recorded 11 1/2 sacks last year.
Cincinnati to the New York Giants for Dexter Lawrence last weekend. It was the first time the Bengals did not have a first-round pick since 1989.
Howell joins Myles Murphy, Boye Mafe and Shemar Stewart on the Bengals鈥� defensive end depth chart.
The Bengals had notable needs at linebacker and cornerback, but the opportunity to add a premium pass rusher in Howell was too good to pass up.
鈥淭he quick wins he can give us as a rusher is really dynamic,鈥� assistant general manager Mike Potts said. 鈥淗is arsenal of rush tools and moves that he has, I thought it was second to none in this draft class.鈥�
The Bengals drafted Shemar Stewart out of Texas A&M last year in the first-round, but Howell has a very different style. His speed stands out, and he also offers outside linebacker versatility.
鈥淗e can play 4-2 edge,鈥� defensive coordinator Al Golden said. 鈥淗e can play outside backer if you go into five down (linemen). He showed proficiency being able to drop. He can help us on special teams. This is a multi-faceted athlete. A really, really twitched up guy.鈥�
Potts said that the Bengals weighed opportunities to move up and move back on Friday night, but the compensation didn鈥檛 work out. Sticking at pick No. 41, the Bengals were able to land a player in Howell who made a very strong impression during the pre-draft process.
鈥淭hey told me on my (pre-draft) visit that they鈥檇 hope I fall to them,鈥� Howell said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a blessing.鈥�
He began his college career as a redshirt at Bowling Green. Howell transferred to Texas A&M in 2024, and 2025 was his true breakout year.
鈥淲e were completely aligned with the personnel and coaching staff,鈥� Potts said. 鈥淭his guy is one of our favorite players in the draft.鈥�
While the Bengals had three potential impact pass rushers already on the roster, there was no established depth beyond that. Entering the draft, the Bengals鈥� fourth defensive end was Isaiah Foskey, who wasn鈥檛 on the roster at the start of last season.
Even though the Bengals could have added a potential starter at linebacker or corner, they were planning to address defensive end early in this draft. They checked that box with Howell.
鈥淭here are always different tiebreakers,鈥� Potts said. 鈥淚n this case, it was a position we wanted to address and the highest-graded player.鈥�
In the third round, the Bengals went for upside at a position of need and selected Washington cornerback Tacario Davis.
The Bengals lacked a backup corner with the physical skill set to grow into a future starter, and Davis checks that spot. The front office was impressed by his combination of size, speed and production. Davis can contribute as a true man corner in specific matchups and on third downs when the Bengals look to get more defensive backs on the field.
Davis backs up two standout corners in Dax Hill and DJ Turner and provides important depth in the secondary.
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