GLENDALE –One of the biggest risers following the NFL Combine has a serious case of making the leap to third overall by the Arizona Cardinals . With the 2026 NFL draft a month away, Arizona has plenty of time to assess its situation. Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets have made it clear that the two of them will be taking Fernando Mendoza and Arvell Reeese respectively. Leaving the Cardinals with their pick of the rest, and the team's desperate need of a defensive playmaker, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles might be the best option.
Yahoo Sports writer Charles McDonald wrote a Mock Draft where Styles heads to the Valley third overall and explained how he is an athletic anomaly.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles (0) pressures Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) during the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025. Ohio State lost 13-10.
"A top-three pick feels high for an off-ball linebacker, but Styles has the chance to be a transformative talent at the position in a league that has almost no elite linebackers. Styles has the size and speed to attack all areas of the field, played well in coverage and has use as a blitzer. Styles would immediately slide in as the top dog on the Cardinals' defense and be an interesting case study (no matter where he's drafted) on the potential addition of a top-flight linebacker when no other teams have (a healthy) one."
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles (0) breaks up a pass during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
At 6'5, 244 pounds, the 21-year-old had a 4.46 40-yard dash, 11'2″ broad jump and a 43.5″ vertical jump, which is the highest mark by a linebacker since 2003. Styles jumps like a wide receiver and has the speed of a running back, put those two traits together and the player that comes out has the potential to be an elite defensive hound.
Styles was a starter for Ohio State the last two seasons. During the Buckeyes' National Championship run, Styles was second in total tackles and third in sacks. He is behind current Cardinals linebacker Cody Simon in both categories and fits a mold that general manager Monti Ossenfort targets.
Oct 18, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles (0) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
In his first three NFL drafts, Ossenfort has a clear preference in selecting Ohio State players. Paris Johnson Jr. and Marvin Harrison Jr. were selected in the first-round in back-to-back drafts, and then Simon and Denzel Burke last year. Styles is arguably the best athlete of that crop of former Buckeyes, which could lead to Ossenfort continuing the trend.
Despite taking a step back in his senior season, recording 82 total tackles and one sack, Styles raw athletic ability is almost impossible to pass on if given the chance. Styles wasn't close to be a top-five pick following the 2025 season, but his recent showings have almost made him a lock to go in that span.
