Cashius Howell
Getty
The Patriots are predicted to land Cashius Howell in Todd McShay's latest mock
More mock drafts are being released as we get closer to the 2026 NFL Draft, which will happen in a month.
The New England Patriots own the 31st overall pick after losing Super Bowl LX to the Seattle Seahawks and look to make a splash addition late in the first round.
NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay released his third mock draft, his first after the start of free agency, and has the Pats making a defensive selection with the team’s first selection of the draft.
Pats Add Pass Rusher
Cashius Howell
GettyThe Pats defensive line could be bolstered in the draft
K’Lavon Chaisson, the New England Patriots’ sack leader, did not return to the team, instead opting to sign a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders.
While the Pats did add Dremont Jones to the squad to replace Chaisson, the team could still use some help from the EDGEs.
Todd McShay’s latest mock draft has New England selecting Texas A&M pass rusher Cashius Howell with the 31st overall pick.
“Howell’s short arms (30 1/4 inches) are a major red flag. NFL teams tend to avoid outliers, and the league hasn’t seen a double-digit sack producer in 20 years with sub-31-inch arms. That said, if Howell had a more prototypical build, we’d be talking about him as a top-10 pick—he’s that impactful. And honestly, his lack of length rarely showed up on tape,” McShay wrote about the defender.
“His standout trait is his ability to corner tightly at high speed. He plays with violence, burst (4.59 40, elite 1.58 10-yard split at the combine), and rare change-of-direction quickness. It’s not a perfect comp, but the fit makes a lot of sense given the success Mike Vrabel has had with undersized edge rushers like Harold Landry III—first in Tennessee and now in New England.”
Howell, who started his collegiate career at Bowling Green, has recorded 20 sacks over the last three seasons, with 11.5 in 2025, earning him an All-American nod.
The defensive line has logged 127 tackles in his career, with 35.5 of the tackles being for a loss.
Pro Football Focus gave Howell an 81.2 overall grade, including a 90.3 pass-rush grade, some of the highest in the country.
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein calls the defender a “bendy edge rusher with standout sack totals. Burst and elusiveness are on Howell’s rush menu and he pairs it with a refreshing inside spin counter… his ability to create pressure sets him up for a role as a designated rusher, at minimum.”
Patriots Interested in Cashius Howell
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel reacts to a media question.
GettyPatriots head coach Mike Vrabel
Seems Mike Vrabel is interested in adding Cashius Howell to his defense for the 2026 season.
The New England Patriots met with the EDGE rusher at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, at least noting that the team has the defender on their big board for the draft.
When speaking at the Combine, the head coach noted the EDGE rushers as something that he liked about the 2026 class.
“We’ve met with a bunch of edge players. There’s depth there. So, we’ll continue to work our way across the board and enjoy these meetings, and I’ll have to go back and continue to watch,” Vrabel said.
The Pats defense allowed 18.8 points per game in the 2025 season, the fourth-fewest in the league.