An SEC edge rusher seen as Bucs 'dream fit' for 2026 NFL Draft
· Yahoo Sports
Bleacher Report’s 2026 "dream fit" for Tampa Bay, edge rusher Cashius Howell, is less about flash and more about fit.
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Start with what he brings. Howell wins with an explosion. His first step consistently stresses offensive tackles, forcing them to open their hips early. Once he gets them off balance, he counters inside or converts speed to power to compress the pocket. He’s not just running the arc, he’s attacking half-man leverage and finishing with a relentless motor.
That ability to win in multiple ways is critical at the next level.
In Todd Bowles’ system, versatility is everything. Tampa Bay’s outside linebackers aren’t simply hand-in-the-dirt defensive ends; they stand up, move around, loop on stunts, and occasionally drop into coverage. Howell has shown comfort rushing from a two-point stance and executing twists and games up front. He plays with awareness, understands spacing, and doesn’t look lost when asked to operate in space. In a pressure-heavy scheme built on disguise, that flexibility carries real value. The production matches the traits. Howell's earning of SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors speaks to both consistency and dominance against elite competition.
There are legitimate concerns, though.
Howell’s arm length is shorter than ideal for a prototypical NFL edge. Longer tackles can get into his chest if his timing isn’t precise, which limits his margin for error. He’ll need refined hand usage and continued strength development to counter that at the pro level. Not to say he can't or won't be successful, as Calijah Kancey was also given that narrative and has been the Bucs best defensive lineman when healthy.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Cashius Howell named 'dream fit' for Bucs