Cashius Howell

DE · Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers · 25 graded snaps

Replacement

Howell flashed as a pass rusher with multiple hits on Aaron Rodgers, but struggles setting the edge against Darnell Washington dragged his run defense grade into replacement territory.

Cashius Howell film grade: 63: share card

Pass rush6814Run defense5511

The full breakdown

Howell's 62.9 grade reflected a tale of two facets, featuring effective pass-rush pressure undermined by edge-setting breakdowns in run defense. As a rusher (68 facet grade), he produced multiple direct hits on Aaron Rodgers, shedding Troy Fautanu on third down (Q1 04:42) and cornering around RT Iheanachor (Q2 07:51). However, his run defense (55 facet grade) deteriorated after an initial run stop against Darnell Washington (Q1 02:23). Washington repeatedly sealed and hooked him on the perimeter throughout the second half (Q4 12:44, Q4 07:39), leaving Howell at replacement-level overall.

Strengths

Finishing rushes with hits on the QB
High-effort backside pursuit

Weaknesses

Shedding blocks against physical tight ends
Biting inside on play-action contain

Plays that moved the grade

+1.5Q1 02:23, 2nd & 6Maintained leverage against Darnell Washington's reach block and shed cleanly to stop Jaylen Warren for no gain.
+1Q1 04:42, 3rd & 11Beat Troy Fautanu off the edge to deliver a direct hit to Aaron Rodgers on the throw.
-1Q4 07:39, 1st & 10Got completely hooked and turned inside out by Darnell Washington, losing outside edge contain on an explosive run.

Every graded snap · 9 wins or losses, 16 routine

+1Q1 04:42 · 3 & 11 · Pass rushRushes hard against Troy Fautanu, shedding his block to deliver a direct hit to Aaron Rodgers on the release.
+1.5Q1 02:23 · 2 & 6 · Run defenseMaintained outside leverage against Darnell Washington's reach attempt, shed the block cleanly, and combined to tackle Warren for no gain.
-0.5Q1 00:57 · 1 & 10 · Pass rushBites inside on the run action and fails to contain the edge, allowing Rodgers to boot out cleanly.
+1Q2 07:51 · 3 & 13 · Pass rushCorners around RT Iheanachor to land a solid hit on Rodgers as he throws.
-0.5Q2 04:30 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseCrashes down too far on the run action and gets washed down by Washington, losing leverage on the quarterback rollout.
+0.5Q2 02:23 · 1 & 10 · Pass rushShows excellent motor and backside pursuit across the field to chase down Freiermuth from behind and make the tackle.
-0.5Q3 05:47 · 3 & 1 · Run defenseDriven wide by Iheanachor and cannot squeeze down on the cutback.

Cashius Howell's season grades →