Bengals discussed taking Cashius Howell in the first round before Dexter Lawrence trade

TL;DR

The Cincinnati Bengals considered selecting Cashius Howell in the first round before opting for a trade involving Dexter Lawrence. Howell, a 6-foot-2 pass rusher, was ultimately drafted in the second round as the 41st pick.

Key points

Bengals considered Cashius Howell for first-round selection
Howell is a 6-foot-2 pass rusher
Bengals drafted Howell with the 41st pick in the second round
Some viewed Howell's selection as a reach
Bengals front office sees Howell as incredible value

Dexter LawrenceCincinnati BengalsCashius Howell2025 College Football Playoff

COLLEGE STATION, TX - DECEMBER 20: Cashius Howell #9 of the Texas A&M Aggies rushes on defense during the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game against the Miami Hurricanes on December 20, 2025 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted an undersized but highly productive pass rusher in the second round.

Cashius Howell is “only” 6-foot-2, but he has incredible bend and impressed Bengals scouts enough for them to take him with the 41st pick in the Draft.

Some saw the pick as a bit of a reach. The Bengals’ front office, though, sees it as incredible value.

“We were already discussing him in the first round if we were able to move back, and maybe even if we got picked over at No. 10,” said Tyler Ramsey, who joined Duke Tobin’s scouting staff last June. “That’s the kind of player we see him.”

While most are focused on the outstanding value the Bengals got late in the Draft, their scouts like the two earliest picks the most.

“I would have to say the biggest values were getting Cashius in the second round and a 6-3, almost 6-4 corner (Tacario Davis) in the third,” said Josh Hinch, who was added to the scouting team at the same time as Ramsey.

So if you needed any extra proof that trading for Dexter Lawrence was the right thing to do, here it is; they could’ve ended up with the very same player they got in the second round, but they wouldn’t have the best nose tackle in the game.

Q&A

Why did the Bengals consider Cashius Howell for the first round?

The Bengals were impressed by Howell's incredible bend and productivity, leading them to discuss him as a potential first-round pick.

What pick did the Bengals use to draft Cashius Howell?

The Bengals drafted Cashius Howell with the 41st pick in the second round of the Draft.

What trade did the Bengals make involving Dexter Lawrence?

The Bengals made a trade involving Dexter Lawrence, which influenced their decision to draft Howell in the second round instead of the first.