The Dallas Cowboys could be preparing to make a significant investment on the defensive side of the ball as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches. With roster needs beginning to crystallize after the NFL Scouting Combine and the franchise tag deadline, one recent projection suggests the Cowboys may target an athletic defender who could become a centerpiece of the unit.
Cowboys Linked to Combine Winner Sonny Styles in Latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft
A new mock draft points to a prospect who generated major buzz in Indianapolis and could give the Cowboys the type of presence they have been searching for in the middle of their defense.
In his latest three-round mock draft, PFSN analyst Ryan Moran projected the Cowboys to address their defense with the 12th overall pick by selecting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. Moran wrote:
“The Dallas Cowboys have to make some major investments in their defense. Sonny Styles is a specimen who can lead the unit in the middle. In only his second year playing the linebacker position, he was a first-team All-American. Styles was arguably the biggest winner at the Scouting Combine this past week.
He measured 6’5″ and 244 pounds. Styles jumped out of the gym with a 43.5″ vertical and an 11’2″ broad jump. He also showcased his elite speed, running a 4.46 40-yard dash with a 1.56 10-yard split.”
The projection highlights how the Cowboys could use an early selection in the 2026 NFL Draft to reinforce a defense that may require additional playmakers moving forward. The Cowboys need the help. The Cowboys’ defense finished last in PFSN’s Defensive Impact Metric last season.
Styles’ performance in Indianapolis helped solidify his status as one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in the 2026 class. At 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, he possesses rare size for an off-ball linebacker while still displaying the type of speed typically associated with smaller defenders.
His 4.46-second 40-yard dash showed the type of sideline-to-sideline range teams covet at the position. The explosive testing numbers were equally eye-catching. His 43.5-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump ranked among the top marks posted by defensive prospects at the event.
That athletic profile could make Styles especially appealing to teams seeking a modern linebacker capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.
His rapid development at Ohio State adds another layer of intrigue. Styles only recently transitioned to linebacker and still managed to earn first-team All-American honors in just his second season at the position.
For the Cowboys, the projection underscores the possibility that the organization would prioritize a defensive cornerstone early in the draft. If the board were to fall as Moran predicted, the Cowboys would land one of the most physically gifted defenders available in the 2026 NFL Draft.
