The Carolina Panthers are heading into the offseason with one of the clearest needs in the league: they have to find a way to generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. After a 2025 season that saw them record just 30 sacks-down from 32 the year before-there’s no hiding from the fact that the pass rush simply hasn’t been good enough.
Nic Scourton and Derrick Brown led the team with five sacks each, but when a safety (Tre’von Moehrig) is tied for third on your team in sacks with just three, that’s a red flag. D.J.
Wonnum also notched three, but beyond that, the production fell off a cliff. For a team trying to build a sustainable contender, especially one that managed to win the NFC South despite an 8-9 record, the lack of pressure up front is a problem that needs fixing-urgently.
Enter Cashius Howell.
According to Pro Football Focus’ Max Chadwick, Howell could be a perfect fit for Carolina with their first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. And it’s not hard to see why.
The Texas A&M edge rusher put together a standout 2025 season, racking up 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 31 total tackles, and six passes defended. Those numbers earned him All-American honors and vaulted him into the conversation as one of the top pass-rushing prospects in this class.
Howell’s journey to this point is a story of steady development and breakout success. He began his college career at Bowling Green in 2021, spending three seasons there before transferring to Texas A&M in 2024.
That move proved to be a turning point. Over his full college career, Howell totaled 27 sacks and 13 passes defended, with the bulk of his impact coming during his two years with the Aggies.
At 6-foot-2 and 255 pounds, Howell brings a compact but powerful frame off the edge. He’s quick off the line, shows good bend, and has a knack for disrupting passing lanes-not just by getting to the quarterback, but by getting his hands up and affecting throws. That kind of versatility is exactly what Carolina needs.
The Panthers did invest in Scourton last year with a second-round pick, and while he showed flashes, it’s clear they need more firepower on the edge. Adding Howell to the mix would not only give them a potential game-changer, but also help free up opportunities for Brown and others along the defensive front.
Yes, there are other needs on this roster-quarterback being one of them. Bryce Young's development remains a major question mark.
But if the Panthers want to stay competitive in a division that’s still wide open, they need to start dictating games on defense. That starts with getting after the quarterback.
Howell might not be a cure-all, but he could be a major step in the right direction. And for a team that’s been stuck in neutral when it comes to pressuring opposing passers, that kind of impact could be exactly what Carolina needs to turn the corner.