After the NFL combine, Dallas Cowboys fans dreaming of snagging Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the 12th pick might be in for a pleasant surprise. While most draft boards have Styles as a top-10 lock, ESPN draft analyst Fields Yates suggests there’s a chance Styles could slip, potentially opening the door for Dallas.
Yates’ post-free agency mock draft notably excludes Styles from the top 10, with offensive talents like receivers Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon, two tackles, Jeremiyah Love, and Fernando Mendoza leading the pack. This unexpected scenario could be a golden opportunity for the Cowboys. Trading up a couple of spots to grab Styles wouldn’t break the bank and could be well worth the investment.
Why the buzz around Styles? The converted safety-turned-linebacker impressed at the combine with a blazing 4.46 40-yard dash and a record-setting 43.5" vertical for an off-ball linebacker.
His 10.00 relative athleticism score (RAS) is off the charts. Despite these jaw-dropping stats, some doubt his top-10 status.
Styles, an All-American in 2025 and a national champion with the Buckeyes in 2024, is a unique talent. His addition would be a major boost to a Cowboys defense poised for upgrades, especially with two first-round picks at their disposal.
The Cowboys have been on the hunt for linebacker talent, having missed out on former Georgia stars Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, who chose the Las Vegas Raiders. Dallas also explored options like Devin Lloyd before he joined the Carolina Panthers.
If Yates’ prediction holds, the Cowboys might have a better shot at landing Styles than many expect, making draft day an exciting prospect for Dallas fans.