Sonny Styles—2026 Cowboys Scouting Report

Frame & Athletic Profile Through a Cowboys Lens

Styles has size at 6’4” and hit weight varies from 222 to 243 depending on where you look. What stands out to me is his length and that immediately shows up on film.

He’s tall, long, and moves easier than most linebackers in this class. He doesn’t look stiff changing direction, and that matters in a Cowboys’ defense that asks linebackers to play in space and match routes underneath.

I don’t think he is maxed out physically yet either, which is a plus. There’s room for Dallas’ strengths program to add functional mass without costing him movement.

Processing & Football IQ

This is where he fits Dallas best.

Styles processes quickly and plays calm. You don’t see panic when routes cross his face or when the quarterback manipulates him with his eyes.

He understands spacing in zone and doesn’t leave windows trying to chase plays that aren’t his responsibility.

That’s critical in a future modern Dallas’ scheme, where linebackers could be asked to pass off routes and comminucate adjustments rather than freelance, like we watched to many times.

His NFL pedigree shows up here. He plays like someone who’s been around high-level defenses his whole life.

Coverage Ability: Dallas’ Kryptonite

I believe this is the trait that gets him on the Cowboys’ board early.

From the film I have seen, Styles looks comfortable carrying tight ends, matching backs, and closing throwing lanes underneath.

Don’t get me wrong. He doesn’t have elite DB-level mirror skills, but for a linebacker his size, he is well ahead of the curve.

Dallas has been burned in recent years by linebackers who either can’t turn and run or lose discipline in zones. Styles doesn’t do that, you can watch and see quarterbacks don’t immediately isolate him.

If you’re playing the Eagles, 49ers, Bears, or anyone who stresses linebackers with route concepts, this matters.

Run Defense: A Tale as Old as Time

You can watch all the film on Styles and see he is a solid run defender, but not a dominant one.

He flows well laterally, which comes from his safety background. He fits in gaps with discipline, and takes good angles to the ball. When he arrives clean, he finishes. Styles isn’t a thumper, but he is reliable.

The concern I have with Styles is his block deconstruction. When guards climb to the second level and get hands on him, he can get stuck.

That is all technique and strength, not effort. Dallas would need to keep him clean with fronts and let him play fast.

If you ask him to be a downhill linebacker every snap, you’re miscasting him.

Tackling and Finishing

This is where he excels.

Styles is a dependable finisher, he stays balanced, wraps up, and limits yards after contact.

Missed tackles are rare, especially in space. We have all watched the Cowboys’ defense struggle with consistent tackling at times. That is not a small thing.

Pass Rush and Blitz Value

I think he is a functional blitzer, but he was not featured in this aspect on a stacked Ohio State defense.

He can blitz and finish when schemed free, but he’s not someone you’re building pressure packages around. In Dallas, he’d be a complementary blitzer, not a primary weapon.

All this is fine. Styles value is in what he prevents, not what he produces by rushing the passer.

Styles Role in Dallas

His fit in Dallas is pretty straightforward.

Styles projects cleanly as a WILL linebacker in Dallas:

• Stays on the field for third downs
• Handles coverage responsibilities
• Communicates and cleans things up underneath
• Runs sideline to sideline

Paired with a more physical presence, he allows the Cowboys to stay flexible without sacrificing coverage integrity.

Player Comparison

I see Sonny Styles as an Anthony Barr type of player.

Anthony Barr was a versatile defender who could blitz, play in coverage, and stop the run.

With some added muscle, Styles could be the same type of player and if Dallas was able to get a player with this upside, they would have a ten-year starter Swiss-army knife.

That is major value for Dallas.