Bengals able to address pass rush while adding depth in other areas

Duke Tobin’s biggest draft move didn’t happen while the Cincinnati Bengals were on the clock. It occurred last weekend when he acquired defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants for the 10th overall pick. The Bengals added another pass rusher in the NFL draft by taking Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell in the second round.

The additions of Howell and Lawrence, along with signing edge rusher Boye Mafe and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen at the start of free agency, give coach Zac Taylor more confidence in his defensive line’s ability to rush the passer. “I’m really excited about the group we have. It’s a deep group, solid veterans with experience and youth that’s still developing with rookies that are now entering the mix,” Taylor said.

This is the second straight draft the Bengals have selected a player from Texas A&M with their first pick. The hope is that Howell has a better rookie season than Shemar Stewart, who played in eight games because of injuries and had one sack. Howell comes in with a better resume than Stewart.

He was tied for seventh in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 11 1/2 sacks and was the first Texas A&M player with at least 11 in a season since Myles Garrett in 2015. The Bengals also added another defensive lineman with Navy’s Landon Robinson in the seventh round. Lawrence’s trade and Howell’s selection allowed Tobin, the Bengals director of player personnel, to focus on other areas.