"Howell is a pass-rushing menace who tends to be a disruptive presence. He has an advanced repertoire of pass-rushing moves, and his 11.5 sacks last season ranked seventh among all FBS defensive linemen."
"Burst and elusiveness are on Howell's rush menu and he pairs it with a refreshing inside spin counter. Though threatening, his rush could use more cohesive sequencing and better hand work to fully unlock its potential."
"As a run defender he's frequently knocked around at the point and struggles to consistently execute tasks asked of an NFL edge-setter. Howell might not be a three-down player right away."
The New England Patriots need to strengthen their pass rush this offseason, ranking among the league's worst with only 35.0 sacks last season. With potential free agency loss of K'Lavon Chaisson, the team faces significant defensive pressure needs. ESPN's mock draft projects the Patriots selecting Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell at pick 31 overall. Howell recorded 11.5 sacks and led the SEC with 41 total pressures in 2025, demonstrating explosive athleticism and advanced pass-rushing techniques. However, concerns exist regarding his smaller frame and ability to function as a complete three-down defender in the NFL.
Read at Boston.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]