Former Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles was one of the stars of the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis last week, breaking several longstanding records. Styles entered the combine as one of the most highly rated prospects and has been repeatedly mocked as a possible top-10 pick and the first linebacker off the board during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Sonny Styles’ Draft Stock Surges After Impressive Combine
After his impressive performances at the NFL Draft Combine, Styles’ draft stock surged, and in his latest mock draft, PFSN analyst Ian Cummings predicted that the New York Jets would select the linebacker with the No. 2 pick on draft night, while making a huge claim about his athletic ability.
“Sonny Styles might as well be the feature athlete of this 2026 NFL Mock Draft. After his NFL Combine showing, there’s no denying him as a potential top-five selection. He’s the arguable best prospect in the class, and his prospect profile transcends any conversations surrounding hypothetical “positional value,” Cummings wrote.
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“When you run Styles’ evaluation through its paces, it becomes more and more impressive. He has an almost-generational athletic profile. He’s a former safety with high-level coverage ability and spatial IQ.”
Styles is in direct competition with former Ohio State teammate Arvell Reese and former Georgia Bulldogs standout CJ Allen to be the first linebacker off the board in the class of 2026.
Last season, Styles registered 46 solo tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and one sack, earning a PFSN College Linebacker Impact score of 78.6 in the most dominant defense in the country, as the Buckeyes managed a PFSN College Defense Impact score of 95.1.
Cummings further detailed the qualities that Styles would offer to the Jets in the NFL should they utilize their pick on him on draft night.
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“There will be positional value arguments with Styles, but at the end of the day, he’s a blue-chip defender who can wear a plethora of different hats and play at a high level,” Cummings wrote. “For any team at the start of a rebuild, like the New York Jets, he’s a tone-setter and culture-setter who sets the resurgence off right.”
Styles’ 43.5-inch vertical jump was the best of anyone of his size (6-foot-5), and his 11 feet, two inches broad jump was the best among linebackers and second best overall at the combine. The former Ohio State star recorded an impressive 4:46 on the 40-yard dash, which was also the best among linebackers.
