The Cincinnati Bengals have been turning heads with their post-draft chatter, insisting they could have snagged edge rusher Cashius Howell in the first round. While it's common for teams to hype up their picks, this time the claim might hold more weight than usual.

Howell ultimately fell to the Bengals in the second round at No. 41 overall, and ESPN's Matt Miller is backing Cincinnati's confidence. In a recent analysis, Miller highlighted Howell as his favorite value pick of Round 2, noting, "My No. 25 overall player, Howell slipped to Cincinnati, which will love his first-step quickness off the edge."

The timing couldn't be better for the Bengals, who lost star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency. Howell's 11.5 sacks last season offer a promising glimpse of what he can bring to a defense in need of a spark.

What's intriguing is how the Bengals approached this selection. They stepped outside their usual draft philosophy, overlooking traditional metrics like arm length to prioritize Howell's production. It's a bold move that contrasts sharply with their approach to Shemar Stewart last year, and it signals a shift in how the team evaluates talent.

Whether this gamble pays off will ultimately be decided on the field. But one thing is clear: the Bengals aren't alone in believing they landed a steal. If Howell's explosive first step translates to the NFL, this second-round pick could look like a first-round bargain in no time.