Howell had a breakout 2025 season for Texas A&M, showing the ability to end drives and dominate games with a mix of speed, power, and refined technique. He finished the year with 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and 31 total tackles, building on a five-year college career that includes 127 tackles, 35.5 TFL, and 27 sacks.
Last season, the Lions had a productive pairing at defensive end with Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad, each reaching double-digit sacks (Muhammad with a career-best 11). However, Muhammad is slated for unrestricted free agency in March, and at age 30, the team may be unlikely to invest heavily to retain him.
That dynamic heightens the importance of finding an edge rusher early in the 2026 draft to complement Hutchinson, making Howell a logical long-term target in Easterling’s view. A young, versatile pass rusher could provide the consistency and pairing value Detroit has been seeking.
The piece, originally published by Heavy Sports, frames Howell as a potential foundational piece for Detroit’s pass rush alongside Hutchinson, aligning with the Lions’ offseason goal of strengthening the edge defense for the foreseeable future.
