Tired of hearing about how the Cincinnati Bengals would have drafted Cashius Howell in the first round?
Better get used to it. As Howell’s star continues to rise by the week, it’s a talking point that will just keep popping up.
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After Howell’s breakout game in Week 1, he was a key part of the rotation that held Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud to zero passing touchdowns on 55 attempts while Texans running backs managed 18 yards on 14 carries.
Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden had nothing but more high praise for Howell this week.
“As a rusher, he knows exactly who he is. He’s got a speed, he’s got a dip, he’s got to counter off that,” Golden said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “That’s three, that’s all he needs. He plays with a high motor. I thought he set the edge really well for us (Sunday), especially as big as Trenton is. And then he gives you two, three drops a game, which is awesome. It just makes us so much more versatile. And he’s doing all those things for us right now, which is great.”
Howell is one big piece of an overarching puzzle that looks like the deepest pass-rushing rotation the Bengals have had since the Geno Atkins days.
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Except this time, it’s Dexter Lawrence in the middle with Jonathan Allen. Boye Mafe is enjoying a breakout of his own while guys like Cedric Johnson, Myles Murphy, Shemar Stewart and Howell all pitch in on the edge.
We’ll see how the rotation keeps shaping up now that Stewart is back from an injury and ramping up. But after what seemed like another five or so pressures in Houston, Howell’s efficiency despite his rookie status is impossible to ignore.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals love the instant breakout from rookie Cashius Howell
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
