How Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell Compares to Other NFL Draft Prospects

Is Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell a first-round NFL draft prospect, or will his measurables hold him back in a solid class?

Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) reacts after a sack during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Could Texas A&M produce its second first-round edge rusher in a row? The program had been criticized for years for failing to develop talent, but Mike Elko has elevated the Aggies’ defense while forging NFL players.

Among the 13 Texas A&M players invited to the NFL combine, Howell is projected to be one of the first off the board. How does he compare against other pass rushers and NFL draft prospects?

How Does Cashius Howell Compare to Other EDGE Prospects?

Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) rushes past Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Howell was one of the most dominant defensive players in the country. He was the 11th Aggie to receive unanimous All-American consideration. His 11.5 sacks were a career-high, ranking seventh nationally and second in the SEC. He was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.

Heading into his rookie season, Howell will be 23 years old, having spent five seasons in college. He is not a young prospect, but a five-year college career has become commonplace in the transfer portal/NIL era.

He has proven production at multiple levels; he led the MAC in sacks in 2023 and dominated the SEC. However, there are some concerns about his projection at the NFL level. Listed at 6'2", 248 pounds, Howell is a bit undersized for his position, particularly in terms of length.

While he was invited to the Senior Bowl, he did not participate, so we do not yet have official measurements. He was reported to have a spring measurement of 30 6/8", well below the typical threshold of 33–34".

Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) defends in coverage against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Kyle Field. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

This makes Howell a potentially volatile prospect for the NFL draft. Some teams may be spooked by his lack of arm length, despite his statistical production. According to Ryan Roberts of A to Z Sports, no player with sub-31" arms has made a Pro Bowl or recorded double-digit sacks in a season.

Howell is not the only high-end EDGE prospect with this concern, though. Miami (FL) pass-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. is expected to measure similarly for his arm length. The 270-pound Bain could potentially play more inside, while Howell is a true outside rusher. This could pigeonhole Howell into a designated pass rusher role in the NFL.

Regardless of potential concerns, Howell is a projected first-round pick and often considered a top-five player at his position. He is competing with other defensive line prospects — Bain, Texas Tech’s David Bailey, Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Clemson’s TJ Parker and Miami (FL)’s Akheem Mesidor — to be selected early in the 2026 NFL draft.

Howell is currently listed as the No. 2 outside linebacker by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., the No. 3 edge rusher by PFF’s Trevor Sikkema and the No. 5 edge rusher by The Athletic's Dane Brugler.

Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) reacts after a defensive play during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Cashius Howell’s NFL Draft Projection

Howell is currently projected as a first-round draft pick. He is ranked 18th among all draft prospects and fourth among all edge rushers by the 2026 Consensus Big Board.

However, his range in mock drafts is quite significant. PFF’s Gordon McGuinness had Howell going eighth overall to the New Orleans Saints in a recent mock draft, while NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah dropped Howell out of the first round after having him go 15th in his first mock draft.

Teams that need help on the edge include the Washington Commanders, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Howell could also be a good fit for a team looking for a designated pass rusher, including the San Francisco 49ers or Buffalo Bills.

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