Buffalo Bills 2026 NFL Draft: Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell Scouting Report

For the Buffalo Bills to be Super Bowl contenders in 2026, the defense will need some major upgrades. The lack of a pass rush in the biggest moments of the season was very evident, and it’s worth noting that Joey Bosa is set to become a free agent this offseason.

Finding a pass rusher to pair with Gregory Rousseau has to be near the top of the to-do list for Brandon Beane, and luckily for the Bills, the 2026 NFL Draft is loaded with talent all over Round 1. One possible option could be Cashius Howell, an undersized pass rusher who is uber productive and explosive.

Could he be a target for the Bills in Round 1? Here is our scouting report on the former SEC star and his potential fit with Buffalo:

Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Height: 6032

Weight: 248

Expected 40 Yard Dash Time: 4.70-4.75

Recruiting: 3-star recruit. No. 2,162 prospect in the 2021 class, No. 207 ranked athlete.

College Production: 127 career tackles, 27.0 sacks, 35.5 tackles for a loss, 15 pass deflections, and 3 forced fumbles in 56 games (2021-2025).

Positives:

• Fantastic flexibility and can drop his weight and bend around the edge.

• Explosive first step that gains a lot of ground quickly.

• Has multiple high-end pass-rush moves including a deadly spin move.

• Motor never stops as a pass rusher. Recorded multiple sacks in 2025 due to effort.

• Multiple years of sack production including two double-digit sack seasons (2025, 2023).

• Does have experience dropping back into coverage.

There will always be a spot in the NFL for pass rushers who can get to the quarterback, regardless of their size. And Howell has proven that he can do so at multiple schools over multiple seasons. He has several pass-rush moves in his toolbox, but his ability to bend around the edge and use his first-step quickness is what wins it for him. Even if he never improves at all as a pass rusher, those two things will allow him to have a lot of success in the NFL.

Negatives:

• Historically small arm length (30.75”) and wingspan (73.5”).

• Undersized to be an every-down defensive end. At his best in two-point stance.

• Doesn’t win very often with power. And lack of length could contribute to that.

• Only an average run defender in college. Might need to be a part-time player right away in the NFL.

• Tailed off at the end of the 2025 College Football season.

There are going to be teams who have Howell off their board due to his lack of size and length. That would be a mistake, but there are some concerns about how he might hold up against the run in the NFL. Howell might just be a designated pass-rusher early in his career and some teams might not want to use a high pick on that type of player.

Cashius Howell NFL Player Comparison: Steelers EDGE Nick Herbig

Nick Herbig was a twitchy EDGE rusher from Wisconsin who fell to the fourth round of the 2023 draft due to a lack of size and length. That proved to be a big mistake as Herbig was one of the NFL’s best pass rushers on a per-snap basis this season.

He’s been stuck behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith in Pittsburgh, but he’s dominated whenever given a chance, especially as a pass rusher. Howell will be drafted much higher, but he can have a similar impact despite poor arm length.

Cashius Howell Fit With Buffalo Bills

The Bills have plenty of defensive ends who can stop the run, but what they lack are players who can get after the quarterback. We saw this during the AFC Divisional Round as the Bills just couldn’t create pressure on Box Nix without blitzing. Howell would instantly provide juice to the defensive line for Buffalo and give them someone who can bring down the quarterback when it matters the most.

Cashius Howell NFL Draft Grade: Late Round 1

Howell will never have longer arms, and there will always be a concern about his ability to stop the run. But his pass-rushing ability is why he deserves to be picked in Round 1. Players like Nik Bonitto and Nick Herbig are having a ton of success in the NFL despite short arms because of their quick first-step and ability to bend around the edge.

The league is desperate for pass-rush help, and Howell is one of the most proven pass rushers in the class. If Buffalo wants to add a dynamic weapon to their defensive line in Round 1, Howell could be a perfect fit.