The Dallas Cowboys are heading into the 2026-27 season with a chip on their shoulder, since they only just missed making the playoffs, and now, they’re shaping their lineup to get them closer to the big game.
Now that the dust from NFL free agency has settled, the next big event on the NFL’s calendar is the 2026 draft, which is set for April 23 through 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 91st annual event gives franchises the opportunity bring new talent to their teams at a low cost, since these players are rookies.
In a Tuesday, March 10, piece for SI, Mark Morales-Smith names projected landing spots for the best college players going into the 2026 NFL draft. For the Dallas Cowboys, he sees them taking linebacker Sonny Styles of Ohio State.
“The Cowboys continue to build their defense here with a star linebacker,” he notes in the feature.
Styles started his time at Ohio State as a safety, but he ended up taking over the linebacker role in 2024. Styles’ official draft profile from the NFL says that he’s “improved in diagnosing play development.”
He profile adds that “the former Buckeye diffuses block attempts with crisp hand strikes and leverages run fits with force/anchor strength. There are times when he slips back into a containment-based approach, but he has plenty of short-area quickness and pursuit speed to get where he needs to go”
The player is also able to “make an impact from multiple spots on the field and is a plus man-cover talent,” according to the NFL.
“Styles is an emerging player with the traits and versatility to garner longer looks by NFL evaluators,” the league adds. “He could see his stock soar leading up to draft day.”
So, Styles is a name to watch in the NFL draft, and don’t be surprised if you see the Dallas Cowboys scooping him up.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.