2026 NFL Mock Draft Shock: Giants Snatch Game-Changing Linebacker—Is This Their Ultimate Play?
Sonny Styles is the perfect prototype of what you look for in a defensive player: 6’5” 245 lbs, 4.46 40 time, and overall athletic freak. There are few prospects in recent memory that can match Styles’s unique blend of explosiveness, intelligence, speed, and coverage skills. His straight line speed is elite, he is an incredibly fluid runner, and most importantly he’s agile The coverage skills especially come from the fact that he started out as a safety at Ohio State before switching to linebacker.
This switch to LB is what has really allowed him to break out. He’s an absolute natural in coverage as one would expect of a former safety. It also makes him an incredibly versatile defender. He can play anywhere: outside, inside, strong, weak, drop into coverage, sit in the slot, or sit on the line of scrimmage.
The thing that stood out to me the most about Styles as a player is his intelligence. This guy can diagnose a play quickly, react to it, has the athleticism and closing speed to get to the areas he needs to get to, and blow up plays at will. He can make the switch from coverage to downhill pursuit quickly, often being the first player in the second level to diagnose a play and close in on the runner. His pre-snap pay recognition is impeccable. Meanwhile, his pure size and strength makes him a nightmare for potential blockers. To put it in context, Eagles EDGE Nolan Smith is 3 inches shorter and 7 pounds lighter than Styles. He has no problem matching up physically with offensive linemen as a result, although he still could use some refinement closer to the line partially due to still being new to the position.


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