2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

The 2026 NFL Draft is stacked at the EDGE rusher position. There is a real chance we see more than five taken in the first round. One of the prospects who could sneak into the tail end of round one is Texas A&M's Cashius Howell. Howell has the numbers to back up being a first-round pick, but what does the scouting report look like? Let's talk about it.

Howell, a former three-star recruit out of Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri, would originally commit to Bowling Green, where he would redshirt his first season and sparingly play the year after. He would explode onto the scene in 2023 with 9.5 sacks, finishing sixth in the country for linebackers. He would take this newfound stock and transfer to Texas A&M and Mike Elko. He would sit behind Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart, but immediately replace them in spades with a monster 11.5 sack season, earning unanimous All-American honors.

Cashius Howell immediately pops on tape due to being shot out of a cannon when the ball is snapped. His first step is towards the top of the class. He has a great bend in his lower half, allowing him to glide by defenders. Howell's spin move inside is a thing of beauty, easily one of his go-to moves. He's got the sideline-to-sideline speed to chase down ball carriers outside. Active in batting down passes. He always feels in control when he lands first, almost allowing himself to decide how he wants to rush.

The slander surrounding Rueben Bain Jr. and his arm length has also hit Howell, too. His 30 1/4 inch arms are the major talking point coming out of the combine. His length, paired with being a slender 250 lbs, could cause problems at the next level. Howell will almost become parallel to the line of scrimmage when trying to set the edge, giving his blocker ample opportunity to seal him off. Stunts weren't a priority in this Aggies defense, so he could use more reps showing patience in these situations.

Cashius Howell is more than arm length. He's a ferocious pass rusher with speed that might kill at the next level. While his technique needs cleaning up, the immense talent is on display. Howell gets a second-round grade for me, but would completely understand snagging him late in round one for that fifth-year option.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 2026 NFL Draft scouting report on Texas A&M Edge Cashius Howell