ESPN: Patriots Should Draft Cashius Howell for Pass Rush

0:00It's April 2, I'm Cory with the story, and this is NFL News Today, football news powered by AI. ESPN draft guru Jordan Reed thinks the New England Patriots should grab a defensive end early in this year's NFL draft, and he's got Texas A&M pass. Russia, Cassius Howell, pegged for them at pick number 31. In their latest three-round mock draft, ESPN analysts like Milkiper Jr. and Matt Miller took turns, and Reed slotted Howell to the Pats to boost. After a week pass rush, they only had 35 sacks last season, time for 22nd in the league. Fans and analysts see Howell as a game changer, with his explosive speed off the edge, and his college resume backs it up. He played 56 games. Across five seasons, first had Bowling Green, then transferring to Texas A&M, where he earned SEC defensive player of the year honors. Howell was huge for the Aggies' playoff push last year, racking up 27 career sacks, and Reed says he could close on quarterbacks fast, giving New England that instant pressure

1:02they crave. With plenty of directions for their first rounder, picking Howell could excite Patriots fans hungry for upside-down defense, setting up a stronger front for years to come.