Sonny Styles — 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

Styles' eye-popping athleticism at the linebacker position gives him as high of a ceiling as any blue-chip prospect in this draft. The former Ohio State star, at age 21 one of the youngest players in this class, can step in as a Day 1 starter alongside free-agent acquisition Tremaine Edmunds.

The Titans don't have a glaring need at pass rush after trading for Jermaine Johnson and signing John Franklin-Myers. But new coach Robert Saleh shouldn't mind more help at linebacker behind Johnson, Franklin-Myers and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.

Styles has put together about as good of a final season and predraft process as you could ask for. He dominated on the field in 2025, finishing with the third-highest tackle percentage in the FBS (97.5%). Then at the combine, he posted the highest vertical jump by an off-ball linebacker since 2003 (43½ inches) and ran the fastest 40 at his position (4.46). Styles is instinctive and long at 6-5, with the versatility to cover or blitz as a former safety.

He is the type of player John Harbaugh loves in the middle of his defense. He has the speed to chase down plays behind a good defensive line. It fits.

With no interest from teams looking to trade up, the Giants had to stick at No. 5. There were plenty of appealing options on the board, but no slam-dunk pick. Styles emerged as the selection because of his combination of talent, potential and fit. The Giants can put Styles next to veteran Tremaine Edmunds in the middle to significantly upgrade their run defense. — Dan Duggan

A top-three pick feels high for an off-ball linebacker, but Styles has the chance to be a transformative talent at the position in a league that has almost no elite linebackers. Styles has the size and speed to attack all areas of the field, played well in coverage and has use as a blitzer. Styles would immediately slide in as the top dog on the Cardinals' defense and be an interesting case study (no matter where he's drafted) on the potential addition of a top-flight linebacker when no other teams have (a healthy) one.

Arguably the star of this year's combine given the freakish traits (4.46 40-yard dash, 43½-inch vertical leap) he put on display, the 6-foot-5, 244-pound converted safety is too good to pass up for a defense in transition — and might only fall this far given teams like the Giants, Commanders and Saints invested in off-ball linebacker during free agency. But the Bengals can clearly use some help there, and it wouldn't hurt to have an athletic, cerebral leader like Styles — he's also a native Ohioan — take the reins.

Styles would be a monster playing behind the Giants' dynamic front line.

The Commanders couldn't stop anyone last season, and linebacker Bobby Wagner appears to be headed elsewhere as a free agent. Bringing in Styles -- my No. 6 prospect regardless of position -- to team up with Frankie Luvu and new addition Leo Chenal makes some sense. After a 77-tackle season, Styles posted an incredible 43½-inch vertical jump at the combine, a glimpse into his explosion. Washington needs good ball players, and Styles is just that.

I could also see Washington going with a receiver here, perhaps Carnell Tate, Styles' teammate at Ohio State. The Commanders' offense is looking for more juice opposite top wideout Terry McLaurin.

There hasn't been a bigger riser following the combine than Styles. He was already a first-round pick, but he put on a show in Indianapolis a couple of weeks ago that might make him a top-10 pick. He has got a safety background, so he has a lot of athleticism in the open field. He is also a great leader.