Bengals rookie minicamp hints at plan for top pick
The Bengals are already showing some interesting usage for a top rookie.
It’s early, but the Cincinnati Bengals are already making good on some hints at rookie minicamp. When the Bengals drafted Cashius Howell in the second round (after hinting he was a Round 1 target ), coaches such as Al Golden suggested some unique usage for the edge defender. In the spirit of moving to a more hybrid, multiple defense, Golden and others suggested plenty of coverage reps for Howell.
Friday, Mike Petraglia of CLNS Media provided the first proof of that idea: Cashius Howell (55) working on the edge Friday morning. pic. twitter.
com/juMrFlTrnB — Mike Petraglia (@Trags) May 8, 2026 Golden likes to drop edge defenders into coverage across multiple formations, which permits things like linebackers blitzing and simulated pressures. Howell probably won’t spend a big chunk of his rookie year in coverage by any means, but it’s a nice tool to have in his arsenal as a pro. And his doing so will let him get on the field despite the logjam of pass-rushers on the roster that includes Myles Murphy, Shemar Stewart and Boye Mafe, never mind interior additions like Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen.
The Bengals drafted Howell with a plan and onlookers clearly get to see it right from Day 1. This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals rookie minicamp hints at plan for top pick