(Editor’s Note: While the beginning of the 2026 NFL Draft is not till late April, it is by no means too early to profile some of the important thing individuals. The workers of DallasCowboys.com intends to preview the panorama of the draft’s high prospects, with an emphasis on potential Cowboys draft picks – from the primary spherical to the final. Today’s featured participant is Ohio State LB Sonny Styles.)
- Name: Sonny Styles
- Position: Linebacker
- College: Ohio State
- Height/Weight: 6’5″, 244
- Did You Know? Coming out of high school at Pickerington Central in Pickerington, Ohio, Styles was ranked as the composite number one safety in the country for the class of 2022. In his first two seasons with the Buckeyes, Styles played in 23 games, posting 62 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. Then, Styles moved to linebacker his junior season, and exploded onto the scene in his final two years with 182 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, seven sacks and two forced fumbles while helping Ohio State win a national championship in 2024.
Where He’s Projected:
After putting on a show at the NFL Combine with a 4.46 40-yard dash, 43.5″ vertical bounce and 11’2″ broad jump, Styles has firmly cemented himself into a first-round player, and more than likely a top ten pick. If the Cowboys feel Styles is the difference maker they’re looking for at linebacker, a trade up may be needed to get him.
How He Helps the Cowboys:
Linebacker is the biggest need on the Cowboys’ roster right now, and Styles would be a great first step in filling it. Dallas’ brass has said they’re comfortable with a rookie wearing the green dot if he’s the right player, and Styles very well could be that kind of a player for the Cowboys but also can line up in different spots and make an impact on the game. His unique frame and athleticism for the position give him advantages in closing quickly in open space, attacking gaps at the line of scrimmage and popping off blocks. With his background as a safety, Styles also has better ability to drop back and cover than most linebackers in the class. All in all, he would give the Cowboys a player who can do everything in the middle of the defense and potentially grow into a leader there for years to come.
Final Thoughts:
Traits are one thing that’s closely mentioned with gamers within the NFL Draft course of, and Styles has a rare blend of them to associate with his dimension and athleticism. He’s nonetheless solely two years into enjoying the linebacker place full time, so there can be some areas the place he wants progress and improvement, however the base he is constructed up up to now has been robust, and had a big function in Ohio State’s protection being among the many greatest in faculty soccer the final two years. Since buying Styles would probably require a commerce up for Dallas, the query is whether or not or not the Cowboys view Styles as a prospect value committing important capital in direction of to be able to transfer as much as get him.
