NFL draft profile: Texas A&M DE gaining steam ahead of first round

With a little over 24 hours remaining until the first round of the 2026 NFL draft commences, the stock of Texas A&M's elite defensive end is on the rise.

At 6-foot-2 and 253 pounds, Cashius Howell brings electric speed and outstanding power off the edge. Tied for seventh in FBS and leading the SEC with 11.5 sacks in 2025, Howell's presence on Texas A&M's defense gave offensive coordinators nightmares. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year started all 13 games for the Aggies, recording 31 tackles, six pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Howell's burst and elusiveness are qualities that NFL scouts have clamored over since he announced his entry into this year's draft. He has struggled at times to set the edge, especially against the run, but his wicked counters and pursuit could make him a first-rounder.

Some draft analysts have openly criticized Howell's measurables, specifically his arm length. With the first round set to begin on Thursday night, Howell responded to the recent critiques of his game with a simple but affirmative response to NFL GMs and analysts alike.

"I feel like, at this point, the length of my arms hasn't deterred me in any way. I'm coming off a pretty great year this past year at A&M, and I feel like, as long as I continue to be a master of my craft and a master of my technique... the way that I play will definitely translate at the next level. I'll ball out, honestly."

During his two years at Texas A&M, Howell played in all 26 games and recorded 71 total tackles (46 solo), 22.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, 14 pass deflections, two forced fumbles and one interception. He also earned All-American honors from five publications (Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press, American Football Coaches of America, Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports and The Sporting News).

There was no doubt that Howell would be one of the Aggies invited to participate in this year's combine and he did not disappoint in Indianapolis, Indiana. According to the NFL's Next Gen Stats, Howell recorded a production score of 74 (12th among DE/EDGE) and 71 athleticism score (17th among DE/EDGE) for a total of 76 (9th among DE/EDGE). His 4.59 40-yard dash and 1.58-second time in the 10-yard split ranked fifth and first in this year's defensive end class.