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Cashius Howell to Bengals in NFL draft: Instant grade for Round 2 pick
TL;DR
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell with the 41st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to strengthen their pass rush. This move follows a series of offseason efforts to improve their defensive front.
Key points
- Bengals selected Cashius Howell with the 41st overall pick
- Focus on improving pass rush after losing Trey Hendrickson
- Howell is the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year
Cincinnati BengalsCashius HowellTrey HendricksonBoye Mafe
The Cincinnati Bengals continued to rebuild one of the worst defenses in the NFL, focusing specifically on overhauling their pass rush by taking Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell in Round 2 with the 41st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Bengals were among the worst teams in the league rushing the passer last season, and they lost edge rusher Trey Hendrickson in free agency. They've been razor-focused all offseason on upgrading the defensive front, from signing edge rusher Boye Mafe in free agency to trading away their first-round draft pick for star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to taking the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year in Howell.
Cincinnati has used its first pick in the draft on a defensive lineman three of the past four seasons, with Howell following up last year's first-round selection of Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart.
Here's our instant draft grade of the pick and our rapid analysis of the pick:
Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell to Bengals NFL draft grade, instant reaction
Grade: B+
Why: Bengals fans were promised "all in" this offseason by player personnel director Duke Tobin. This pick continues to follow through on that approach. The top defenses in the league are strong up front, and the Bengals are proving to have a clearly defined strategy this offseason.
Q&A
What position does Cashius Howell play for the Bengals?
Cashius Howell plays as an edge rusher for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Why did the Bengals draft Cashius Howell in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Bengals drafted Cashius Howell to address their struggling pass rush and improve their defensive front after losing Trey Hendrickson in free agency.
How does Cashius Howell's selection fit into the Bengals' recent draft strategy?
Cashius Howell's selection continues the Bengals' trend of prioritizing defensive linemen, as they have chosen a defensive lineman with their first pick in three of the last four drafts.