Two Texas A&M standouts are already turning heads in early projections for the 2026 NFL Draft, with both defensive end Cashius Howell and wide receiver KC Concepcion appearing in the first round of Pro Football Focus’ initial post-Senior Bowl mock. These are two names that have been echoing through draft circles for months, and if this early look is any indication, we could be seeing a pair of Aggies walk across the stage on Day 1.
Let’s start with Howell - a relentless edge rusher who’s penciled in at No. 15 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa’s defense sputtered late in the 2025 season, and a big part of that drop-off came from an anemic pass rush.
Enter Howell, who’s been consistently dominant off the edge. He’s not just a one-season wonder, either.
Howell posted PFF pass-rush grades north of 90.0 in each of the last three years, a rare level of sustained excellence that few edge prospects can match. His 2025 campaign featured 41 pressures, 12 sacks, and a 19.9% win rate - elite numbers by any standard.
And that’s not even considering his earlier production: 34 pressures in a rotational role in 2024 and a monster 2023 season at Bowling Green with 44 pressures and 12 sacks before transferring to College Station.
With Reuben Bain (Miami) and David Bailey (Texas Tech) projected to go in the top five, Howell is currently the third edge rusher off the board. That placement speaks volumes - not just about his PFF grades, but about his ability to disrupt games week in and week out. For a Bucs team desperate for a spark on defense, Howell could be the kind of plug-and-play impact player who changes the tone of a front seven from Day 1.
On the offensive side, KC Concepcion is projected to land with the Cleveland Browns at pick No. 24.
The Browns had the option to double down on offensive line help, but in this scenario, they opt for playmaking - and Concepcion brings plenty of it. He’s the kind of athletic, polished receiver that can round out a passing attack, especially one that’s been missing consistent separation and after-catch production.
Concepcion’s growth as a route runner in 2025 was significant, and it showed up in the metrics - a 78.3 PFF receiving grade against man coverage and an impressive 7.2 yards after catch per reception. That’s the kind of efficiency you love to see from a player who’s not just running routes but creating opportunities after the catch.
Originally a slot specialist at NC State, Concepcion expanded his game in a big way after transferring to Texas A&M. In 2025, he proved he could win outside the numbers, averaging over 15 yards per catch and generating roughly half his yardage after the catch.
That’s a testament to his vision, burst, and physicality in space. And don’t forget the special teams value - he took the Aggies’ first punt return of the season to the house and added another return touchdown against LSU later in the year.
That kind of versatility can be a real difference-maker for an NFL roster.
Both Howell and Concepcion have the type of profiles that translate - not just in terms of raw numbers, but in how they win on the field. Howell brings relentless energy and refined pass-rush technique, while Concepcion offers dynamic playmaking and positional flexibility. If these early projections hold, Texas A&M could be celebrating a pair of first-rounders this spring - and NFL teams will be getting two players ready to make an immediate impact.