If you were caught up in the euphoria of the Bengals trading for Dexter Lawrence and giving up the No. 10 overall pick to acquire him, that maybe overshadowed who the Bengals drafted in the second round this past April.
The Bengals selected Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell, their first pick in this year’s draft. Admittedly, I was unimpressed at first. But now, I’m intrigued by what last year’s SEC Defensive Player of the Year can bring to the Bengals’ defensive line.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert
Breer, one of the most respected writers in the country, recently emptied his Bengals’ notebook and had this to say about the Bengals’ second-round pick.
Rookie Cashius Howell would’ve been in a clump of players the Bengals discussed if they hadn’t traded the No. 10 pick, so getting the Texas A&M rusher in the second round was seen internally as a coup. He’s been a monster in camp thus far, bringing the speed and explosiveness he flashed in college, and more strength than some expected.
Howell made waves when he put Orlando Brown Jr. on his back this past week. That’s not just any offensive lineman, either. Brown is 6’8” and 350 pounds. The fact that Howell did that to him says a lot about his strength and where he is headed into his rookie season.
The Bengals may need Howell to step up early with Shemar Stewart being out for several weeks with a hyperextended knee. Playing alongside Boye Mafe and Myles Murphy gives Howell veterans to learn from, which is great. But Howell isn’t just another edge rusher from Texas A&M the Bengals drafted. He can play, and he can be a difference-maker off the edge. Much of the attention is on Stewart, Mafe, and Murphy, but do not overlook Howell.
