For the last two seasons, the Seattle Seahawks have been struggling to find the exact right mix at inside linebacker. Head coach Mike Macdonald's scheme doesn't ask much of his off-ball linebackers other than to be excellent in two facets: Stop the run and pass coverage. Only one Seattle player has done that consistently.
To begin the 2024 season, the Seahawks had recent acquisitions Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker manning the two ILB spots. Neither was working out well, though, and both were gone by midseason. Baker was shipped to the Tennessee Titans in return for Ernest Jones IV.
To put things simply: Seattle won that deal easily. Jones was excellent in the second half of last season and signed to an extension this offseason. He's been good in 2025, too, but recently hurt his knee.
Seattle Seahawks projected to take Sonny Styles in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft
The issue has been the LB next to him. Tyrice Knight began the season in that role, but has since been replaced by Drake Thomas. Thomas has been solid, but the Seahawks could still use an upgrade. Ohio State's Sonny Styles might be that player.
Styles could use a bit more upper body strength and mass to be ready for the NFL, but at 6'4," he has the frame to add weight. He is currently 235. But make no mistake that he has attributes Mike Macdonald would love.
The OSU product has fantastic athleticism that makes him elite in coverage against tight ends and running backs. He also appears to have a high football IQ that would get him instant playing time in Macdonald's scheme.
Styles also understands how to take on would-be blockers when chasing down ball carriers. His quickness is too much for most college offensive linemen, and while he will need to adjust to the NFL, he seems to know how to get himself in the best position to stuff the run.
If he is needed to blitz, he can do that, though the Seattle Seahawks tend to eschew that in favor of allowing the secondary to provide sticky coverage and the defensive front to get pressure. Styles would be able to play off that and be a perfect fit in the system.
In a recent Bleacher Report draft projection of Styles, he was given a second-round grade. Seattle is likely to pick late in the first round, so there is a good chance the linebacker could be available. In a recent article by FanSided's Cody Williams, though, he projected the Seahawks to grab Styles in round one.