Ohio State's Sonny Styles combines safety range with linebacker physicality, a "unicorn" athlete poised to redefine the Saints' defense.
With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, the New Orleans Saints find themselves in a tough spot with who to select with their first pick. While the offense continues to adapt around second-year quarterback Tyler Shough, the defense is entering a necessary transition phase as well. With franchise icon Demario Davis approaching the twilight of a legendary career, the Saints don’t just need a linebacker; they need a defensive centerpiece.
Here is where Ohio State’s Sonny Styles becomes solid look. After an "otherworldly" performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, Styles has transcended the typical "prospect" label. He is the modern NFL defensive coordinator’s dream: a "unicorn" of some sorts type athlete who can solve the complex schematic problems presented by today’s pass-heavy offenses.
The Modern Prototype: Safety Range, Linebacker Frame
The most compelling argument for Styles in New Orleans is his unique evolution. Standing 6'5" and 244 pounds, he possesses the frame of a traditional thumping linebacker, but his background as an Ohio State safety gives him a coverage floor that is rare for his size.
At the Combine, Styles verified this versatility with a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and a staggering 43.5-inch vertical jump. These aren't just numbers for the sake of testing; they translate to a player who can:
- Carry elite tight ends down the seam.
- Close the "alley" against outside zone runs with safety-like speed.
- Function as a terrifying blitzer in Brandon Staley’s 3-4 defensive scheme.
A Natural Successor to Demario Davis
The Saints have long relied on Demario Davis to be the "green dot" leader—the man who diagnoses the play and ensures everyone is in position. While replacing a player of that stature is impossible, Styles offers the closest physical and mental approximation we’ve seen in years.
Scouts have noted Styles' "impeccable tackle finishing" and his rapid improvement in diagnosing play development since moving to linebacker full-time in 2024. In Staley’s defense, which often asks linebackers to be "movable chess pieces," Styles’ ability to drop into a deep zone or line up as a stand-up edge rusher would be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks to read pre-snap.
Addressing the "Best Player Available" Dilemma
Recent mock drafts, including those from Saints Wire and PFF, have toyed with the idea of New Orleans targeting a playmaker like Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love or a wide receiver at pick No. 8. However, the depth of this receiver class suggests the Saints could find value later in Day 2.
There is, conversely, only one Sonny Styles.
If the Titans (picking at No. 4) or another top-5 team doesn't scoop him up, the Saints would be passing on a generational defensive talent to fill a skill-position need that might be better addressed in free agency. If New Orleans wants to maintain their identity as a team that wins with a physical, disciplined defense, Styles is the clear choice.
My Two Pennies
The NFL is moving toward a position-less style of play, and Sonny Styles is the poster child for that movement. For a Saints team looking to provide their young quarterback with a reliable defensive backbone, Styles isn't just a safe pick, but more like he’s a transformative one.
Drafting Styles wouldn't just be about replacing a legend, it would be about evolving the Saints' defense for the next decade.