As the New York Giants gear up for the 2026 NFL Draft, all eyes are on their fifth overall pick. If they stick to their spot, they're likely choosing between running back Jeremiyah Love, safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles, and possibly wide receiver Carnell Tate. In the latest mock draft from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, Styles is the pick for the Giants.
Jeremiah's take is straightforward: Styles would be a powerhouse behind the Giants’ dynamic front line.
In Jeremiah’s scenario, Love finds a home with the Tennessee Titans at No. 4. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Mel Kiper has a different take, opting for Downs for the Giants.
Jeremiah ranks Styles third on his top 50 prospects list, describing him as a tall, long, and agile linebacker. Styles transitioned smoothly from safety to linebacker in college, showcasing his prowess at the NFL Scouting Combine.
He’s quick to read plays and make tackles, using his length to fend off blockers and cover ground laterally. His tackling is reliable, and he excels in coverage, capable of shadowing slot receivers and tight ends.
Styles’ blitzing ability is explosive, often overpowering running backs in pass protection. His standout performance in the Big Ten title game against Indiana solidified his reputation as a top defender, drawing comparisons to the likes of Fred Warner.
Despite some skepticism from Giants fans about Styles' suitability for the No. 5 pick, it’s important to recognize how the linebacker role has evolved. The days of the traditional "thumper" are gone, replaced by faster, more versatile players like Styles.
According to Sports Info Solutions, he only missed two tackles in the entire 2025 season with Ohio State. While he may not deliver punishing hits, he consistently brings ball carriers down.
Styles, a former safety, is still refining his linebacker skills, gaining size and strength. As noted in The Ringer’s scouting report, he’s a versatile playmaker with a unique blend of athleticism, length, and range.
His vision allows him to navigate through blockers effectively, and his lateral agility helps him reach ball carriers efficiently. With only two missed tackles in 2025 and 47 stops, his reliability is clear.
Styles is adept in coverage, capable of reading routes and adjusting his positioning. His blitzing speed is notable, having recorded nine sacks in college.
However, Styles does face challenges disengaging from blocks and sometimes falls for play fakes. His frame is on the lean side, affecting his ability to overpower blockers. There are moments when his intensity wavers, but with development, his aggressiveness can improve.
In my observations, Styles is comfortable in zone coverage, aggressive against the run, and rarely misses tackles. He can match up with big slot receivers or tight ends, demonstrating excellent change of direction.
Although he needs to build strength, he’s willing to take on blocks head-on and shows strong leadership qualities on the field. His instincts are sharp, and he possesses ball skills that could make him a valuable asset as a spy.
Trevor Sikkema, a respected draft analyst, praised Styles’ performance against Indiana as the best he’s seen from any prospect this year. Styles’ ability to anticipate plays and make impactful decisions at the line of scrimmage is exceptional. His elite coverage and run defense grades, coupled with a mere 2% missed tackle rate, underscore his potential.
Chris Pflum’s prospect profile echoes this sentiment, highlighting Styles as a future impact player with All-Pro potential. His combination of size, speed, and agility is rare, making him an ideal modern NFL linebacker.
Styles’ physicality and speed allow him to be effective against the run, while his fluidity in coverage is a testament to his background as a safety. Though not often used as a pass rusher, his attributes suggest he could excel in that role too.
In conclusion, Styles is a phenomenal prospect. The only conceivable reason to pass on him at No. 5 might be positional value, but given the other options, even that argument seems weak. Styles is poised to make an immediate impact in the NFL.