Bills Should Add Flashy Pass Rusher Cashius Howell After Insider's Draft Analysis

Texas A&M's Cashius Howell could be the perfect first-round pick for the Buffalo Bills to bolster their pass rush.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:18pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in the midst of a pass rush, with sharp planes of navy blue, red, and white overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition.A cubist interpretation of a Bills pass rusher disrupting the quarterback, capturing the explosive energy of the game.Buffalo Today

The Buffalo Bills are likely to target an edge rusher with their first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and Texas A&M's Cashius Howell is seen as a perfect fit for their defense. Howell is a freakish athlete who ran a 4.6 40-yard dash at the combine and would provide a boost to the Bills' pass rush.

Why it matters

The Bills had a disappointing 2025 season, finishing fifth-worst in the league in run defense and tied for 20th in total sacks. Adding a dynamic pass rusher like Howell could help shore up their defensive line and improve their overall defensive performance.

The details

New Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard is expected to run a similar defensive scheme to what the Denver Broncos used in recent seasons, which often featured just two defensive linemen. This makes Howell, a versatile edge rusher, an ideal fit for the Bills over a traditional nose tackle. Howell recorded 25 sacks over the past three seasons at Texas A&M and would join a defensive line group that includes 2025 draft picks Deone Walker and T.J. Sanders, as well as veterans Ed Oliver and Greg Rousseau.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for late April.

The players

Cashius Howell

A 23-year-old edge rusher from Texas A&M who is seen as a potential first-round pick for the Buffalo Bills in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Jim Leonhard

The new defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, who previously worked with the Denver Broncos and is expected to implement a similar defensive scheme in Buffalo.

Ed Oliver

A defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills who is one of the team's leading defensive linemen.

Greg Rousseau

An edge rusher for the Buffalo Bills who is one of the team's leading defensive linemen.

Deone Walker

A defensive tackle drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round in 2025.

T.J. Sanders

A defensive tackle drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“The Bills could certainly use a nose tackle for depth, but that comes across more like a later-round pick or, more likely, a veteran addition after the draft. A defensive lineman who could be used at end could receive a bit more of a justification with an early-round pick because of the positional versatility.”

— Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic

What’s next

The Buffalo Bills will make their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for late April.

The takeaway

The Buffalo Bills have invested heavily in their defensive line in recent years, but they still need to improve their pass rush and run defense. Drafting a versatile edge rusher like Cashius Howell in the first round could be the perfect move to bolster their defensive front and help them return to the playoffs in 2026.