The Cincinnati Bengals may have found their own version of Maxx Crosby in second-round draft pick Cashius Howell—and fans are already buzzing about the comparison.

Following the NFL Draft, the Bengals made no secret of their excitement over the defensive end out of the SEC. Team insiders revealed that had the 10th overall pick not been traded for Dexter Lawrence, Cincinnati would have strongly considered taking Howell at that spot. Fortunately for them, Howell was still available at pick 41, and the Bengals wasted no time snatching him up.

While Howell doesn't fit the typical mold of Bengals defensive linemen from years past, he brings an undeniable spark to a defense hungry for energy. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, an anonymous AFC scout drew a direct comparison between Howell and the Las Vegas Raiders' star pass rusher, Maxx Crosby.

"But their second-round pick, edge rusher Cashius Howell, possesses one of Maxx Crosby's best attributes: his motor," Fowler reported. "Crosby is famous for going full bore while playing every snap. Howell is similar in that regard. He doesn't have the elite bend that some of the other rushers have, but he is absolutely relentless and will play a long time in the NFL as a result."

Howell's relentless playing style translated into impressive production last season, where he racked up 11.5 sacks and earned SEC Player of the Year honors. Though his arm length may not match some of his peers, his fiery passion for the game is the kind of intangible that often separates good players from great ones—and it's exactly what the Bengals need to elevate their pass rush.

For Bengals fans who have long dreamed of trading for Maxx Crosby, the idea of Howell developing into Cincinnati's own version of the Raiders' star is a thrilling prospect. If his motor and determination are any indication, that dream might just become a reality.