Howell is a twitchy, explosive edge rusher who terrorizes tackles with elite get-off, a signature spin move, and legitimate bend around the arc — the kind of pass-rush juice that translates to immediate third-down impact at the NFL level. The problem is everything else. At 6-2, 253 with historically short arms (30 1/4 inches), he gets swallowed at the point of attack by NFL-caliber run schemes and lacks the length to keep blockers off his frame. His power profile is a liability, not a project — speed-to-power conversions get absorbed, and veteran tackles who take away his outside rush will expose a thin counter repertoire. The floor is a productive designated pass rusher in a four-man front rotation; the ceiling is a high-end starter in a hybrid defense that hides his run-defense limitations and lets him pin his ears back, but that ceiling requires everything to break right.
- Elite first-step explosion that immediately stresses offensive tackles and generates instant backfield penetration
- Outstanding bend and lower-body flexibility — ankle, knee, and hip mobility allow him to flatten around the arc without losing speed
- Signature spin move is a legitimate weapon that causes problems for tackles at any level of competition
- Relentless motor and competitive fire; plays 100 mph and never quits on a rush or pursuit
- Surprising coverage ability for an edge rusher — can drop into shallow zones and hang with tight ends and running backs in sim-pressure packages
- Historically short arm length (30 1/4 inches) creates a fundamental disadvantage in hand-fighting; NFL tackles will lock onto his chest plate and steer him
- Run defense is a clear liability — gets washed out at the point of attack by power schemes and double teams, struggles to set the edge consistently
- Power profile is poor; speed-to-power conversions get absorbed, severely limiting his rush avenue diversity against veteran blockers
- Counter-move repertoire needs significant development — too often fires his best move immediately without sequencing or setup work
Multiple evaluators landed on this comp. Similar undersized, high-motor profile that wins with speed and bend but projects as a rotational pass-rush specialist rather than a three-down starter, at least initially. Stewart's deployment behind Jared Verse and Byron Young in Los Angeles is the most realistic day-one role for Howell.