The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be eyeing a serious boost to their pass rush, and if the latest mock drafts are any indication, Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell is firmly on their radar at pick No. 15.
Coming off a breakout season that earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025, Howell is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in this year’s draft class. And when you look at the tape - and the production - it’s easy to see why analysts like Daniel Jeremiah, Blake Brockermeyer, and Trevor Sikkema are all projecting him to land in Tampa.
Howell’s 2025 campaign was electric: 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and six passes defended. Those are the kind of numbers that jump off the stat sheet, but they’re also the product of a player who understands how to turn raw athleticism into consistent disruption. Whether he’s bending the edge or shooting gaps, Howell has a knack for getting into the backfield - and fast.
But this isn’t a one-year wonder story. Howell’s journey to the top of draft boards has been building for a while.
He started his career at Bowling Green, where he quietly put together an impressive resume - 27 career sacks, including 9.5 in 2023. Then came the transfer to Texas A&M in 2024, which at first looked like a dip in production.
He posted just four sacks that year, largely due to a more rotational role in the Aggies' defense.
But dig a little deeper, and the story changes. Even in that so-called “down” year, Howell was still making noise.
Pro Football Focus graded him at 88.1 as a pass rusher, slightly better than his 2023 mark. And when his snap count jumped from 419 to 591 in 2025, the numbers followed - in a big way.
This past season, Howell earned a 90.3 pass-rushing grade, ranking him in the top 15 nationally among players who logged at least 80% of 440 pass-rush snaps. That’s elite territory, and it speaks to a player who not only produces but does so consistently against top-tier SEC competition.
For the Buccaneers, the fit makes a lot of sense. Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme thrives on versatility - edge defenders who can not only get after the quarterback but also drop into coverage and disguise blitzes.
Howell’s shown he can do just that. His athleticism and football IQ allow him to be more than just a one-dimensional rusher.
Still, Howell's bread and butter is hunting quarterbacks - and the Bucs could use more of that. They finished the season tied for 18th in sacks, and outside of YaYa Diaby’s seven sacks, there wasn’t much consistent pressure coming off the edge. That’s a problem in today’s NFL, where disrupting the quarterback is priority No. 1 on defense.
So what makes Howell stand out beyond the numbers?
According to Brockermeyer, it’s the combination of speed, length, and relentless motor. He’s got the kind of twitch and get-off that forces offensive tackles into panic mode.
Jeremiah went a step further, calling Howell “one of my favorite players to study,” noting that he “gives all of himself on every play.” That kind of praise doesn’t come lightly, especially from someone who’s watched hundreds of hours of tape.
There is one knock - Howell checks in at 248 pounds, which is considered light for an edge rusher by traditional standards. But that size also plays into his strengths. He’s quick, explosive, and plays with a high motor - traits that can be more valuable than sheer bulk in today’s fast-paced, pass-heavy league.
Bottom line: Howell looks like a tailor-made fit for what the Bucs need. He’s a high-upside edge rusher with proven production, elite pass-rush grades, and the versatility to thrive in a complex defensive system. If he’s still on the board at No. 15, don’t be surprised if Tampa Bay turns in that card without hesitation.