The New England Patriots had just 35 sacks last season, and Eliot Wolf and Mike Vrabel have already praised the depth at pass rusher in this draft class.
It would not be a surprise to see the Patriots draft a pass rusher in the first round of the NFL Draft, and USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz predicted they would do just that by selecting Cashius Howell out of Texas A&M University. Howell had 11.5 sacks last season and 14 tackles for a loss.
He lives in the backfield, but his combine measurements pose one major concern. His 30 1/4 inch arm length is “among the shortest in recent history for players drafted at his position,” per NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry. Last offseason, much was made about Will Campbell’s arm length, but that did not stop the Patriots from selecting him.
The Patriots may be more concerned with production than measurements, and Howell has proven he can produce. He led the Mid-American Conference in sacks with 9.5 in 2023, before transferring to Texas A&M. He has 25 sacks in the last three seasons and 33 tackles for a loss. He practically lives in the backfield, and has dismissed concerns about his arm-length.
“I feel like production has never been a real issue for me,” Howell said in an interview with Pro Football Talk at the NFL Combine. “Like I said, I’m going to do everything in my power to change that narrative.”
Howell will have to impress during individual drills, but what he has put on tape is already impressive enough to have him projected as a first-round pick. NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein compared him to Will McDonald IV.
“Bendy edge rusher with standout sack totals. Burst and elusiveness are on Howell’s rush menu and he pairs it with a refreshing inside spin counter,” Zierlein wrote of Howell on NFL.com. “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, but his ability to create pressure sets him up for a role as a designated rusher, at minimum.”
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