Bengals draftee took special note of being passed over by Chiefs in NFL Draft
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Cashius Howell was selected 41st overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL Draft.
- Howell was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year with 11.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
- Howell said he grew up a Chiefs fan but is thankful to be a Bengal and aims to face them.
After the first 39 picks of the NFL Draft, the Chiefs were on the clock and in need of a pass rusher.
In Kansas City, a Chiefs fan had his fingers crossed that Texas A&M edge Cashius Howell would hear his name called.
It was Howell himself.
Howell had his draft party in Kansas City where he first made his mark as a player. After playing at Rockhurst High School, Howell went to Bowling Green before transferring to A&M. Howell, who is 6 foot 2 and 263 pounds, was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, after recording 11 1/2 sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
The Chiefs did take a defensive end from the SEC, but it was Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas.
Howell didn’t have long to wait to hear his name called, as the Cincinnati Bengals drafted him with the 41st overall pick.
While talking to reporters in Cincinnati, Howell acknowledged being passed over by the Chiefs and said he thought he might get drafted by Kansas City.
“They had took an edge rusher before me,” Howell said. “You know, it’s all good. I grew up a Kansas City Chiefs fan, but at this point, I’m just thankful to be a Bengal. So we’re going to see them when we see them.
“I’m very happy to be a Bengal and wouldn’t want to be a Kansas City Chief at this point.”
Howell added that he would love to get the chance to sack Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“I think it would be a good experience,” Howell said, per the Bengals website. “I’m trying to come in and make a positive impact on everything. So, if it comes down to me sacking Patrick Mahomes, so be it. I’m just trying to make sure I put myself in the right positions and just going about it the right way.”
The Chiefs play at Cincinnati this season and we should know when after the schedule is released next month.
