Sonny Styles 2026 Nfl Mock Draft: Latest Prediction For Ohio State Linebacker

The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching fast and league scouts are solidifying their big boards. Linebacker Sonny Styles could be among the players who hear their name called early in Pittsburgh this week when the NFL welcomes its newest class of rookies.

USA TODAY Sports has all the latest on where the prospect out of Ohio State may land.

Here's how USA TODAY's latest mock draft currently projects draft day will play out for the former college star.

Sonny Styles 2026 NFL Draft prediction: Pick No. 7 overall, Washington Commanders

Nate Davis' Fit Analysis:

Getting another wide receiver for QB Jayden Daniels here has to be tempting. But it's one of the few deep positions in this draft, and there are still some veteran options that could be obtained to play opposite WR1 Terry McLaurin, who's coming off his worst pro season. As for Styles? He's widely compared to Fred Warner, whom GM Adam Peters helped bring to San Francisco. Yet, in addition to being a cerebral player, Styles is a luminary athlete who could assume the role in the middle of Washington's defense given ILB Bobby Wagner has not re-signed and neither recently signed Leo Chenal nor Frankie Luvu, who's under contract for one more year, seem like ideal fits to fill his void.

Ayrton Ostly's Big Board Rank: No. 5

Styles entered the year as the top linebacker in the class before Reese overtook him. Still, Styles has impressive size and elite athleticism in his 6-foot-5 and 244-pound frame. He's a young prospect and already diagnoses plays effectively. Given his age and elite traits, he could become a perennial Pro Bowler with some development. His scouting combine performance cemented his status as a premiere talent in this class.

See the full big board here

Campus Intel:

Styles began his career at safety, including starting as the nickel back for the Buckeyes in 2023, before switching positions to linebacker as he grew into his 6-foot-5, 244-pound frame. In his second year at the position, he took over for Cody Simon as the starting middle linebacker and led the Buckeyes with 82 tackles during an All-America season. Along with his physical tools, he was a disciplined defender at Ohio State. It wasn’t until the College Football Playoff that Styles even missed a tackle in 2025. -- Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Sonny Styles player profile

All stats from 2025 NCAA Season

• Height: 6-5
• Weight: 244
• Tackles: 82
• Tackles For Loss: 6.5
• Sacks: 1.0
• Passes Defensed: 3
• Forced Fumbles: 1
• Interceptions: 1

When is the 2026 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place between April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

• Thursday, April 23: Round 1
• Friday, April 24: Rounds 2-3
• Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7

How to watch the 2026 NFL Draft

• Dates: April 23-25
• Time: 8 p.m. ET (Round 1); 7 p.m. ET (Rounds 2-3); Noon ET (Rounds 4-7)
• Channels: NFL Network; ESPN; ESPN2; ESPN Deportes
• Streaming: NFL+; ESPN Unlimited & Select; Fubo

Fans have several options to choose from to watch the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL Network and ESPN will have separate broadcasts, each providing a different analysis of each pick as it happens on draft night.

Cord-cutters can stream the different broadcasts on NFL+, the NFL's proprietary streaming service; ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited, ESPN's streaming services; or cable alternative Fubo , which offers a free trial.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sonny Styles 2026 NFL mock draft: latest prediction for Ohio State Linebacker