The Cincinnati Bengals are in the midst of a defensive facelift.

Several free agent acquisitions and a franchise-altering trade in bringing in Dexter Lawrence II could have been the biggest changes made for a defense that ranked second-worst in total yards allowed across the league last season (382.1), yet the Bengals decided to stockpile more defensive additions with the 41st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft with Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell.

Howell just finished a season that saw him finish as a unanimous All-American, win SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and obviously be nominated to the All-SEC First Team.

A Great First Impression

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A&M defensive lineman Cashius Howell (DL41) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Following Howell’s selection, assistant GM Mike Potts and defensive coordinator Al Golden spoke on why they went for the Aggie.

“The way he plays jumps off the tape.…