Buffalo Bills 2026 NFL Draft: Ohio State LB Sonny Styles scouting report

One of the major goals for the Buffalo Bills this offseason has to be to improve their team speed. There were too many games in which the defense was too slow, and that was specifically the case at linebacker. By the end of the season, the Bills were starting two 30-year-old linebackers who were well past their primes.

It won’t be a shock to see Buffalo address the linebacker room early in the 2026 NFL Draft, and one name to know is Sonny Styles of Ohio State. Standing at nearly 6-4 and 243 pounds, Styles is the type of linebacker that all teams covet. So, could he be an option for the Bills in Round 1? Here is our scouting report on the Buckeye star:

Ohio State LB Sonny Styles 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Height: 6036

Weight: 243

Expected 40 Yard Dash Time: 4.38-4.46

Recruiting: No. 27 overall prospect in 2022 recruiting class. No. 2 ranked safety.

College Production: 224 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, 9 pass deflections, 1 INT in 53 games.

Positives:

• Rare combination of size and athleticism for a linebacker. Very fluid mover who can teleport from sideline to sideline.

• One of the best tacklers in the class. Only two missed tackles during the entire 2025 season per Pro Football Focus.

• Long arms allow him to reach ballcarriers that most defenders wouldn’t be able to get to.

• Shows a willingness to take on blocks, even though he is still learning how to stack and shed.

• Elite range in coverage. Former safety background means that he is comfortable occupying zones and covering tight ends.

• Plenty of experience playing in the box, on the line of scrimmage, and in the slot. 

There aren’t many linebackers with the combination of size, length, and athleticism that Sonny Styles possesses. He is still a bit raw, but he was one of the most reliable tacklers in the country and his upside as a coverage linebacker is limitless. He is the total package as a traditional weakside linebacker and should be a Pro Bowl player in no time.

Negatives:

• Still learning how to become a linebacker after making the transition from safety. Does take a few false steps in coverage, but athleticism allows him to overcome mistakes.

• Could stand to add 5-10 pounds of muscle to his frame.

• Doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher other than using his athleticism to chase down quarterbacks.

• Not the most physical tackler. More of a drag-down tackler.

Most of the weaknesses for Styles come from not playing a ton of linebacker before Ohio State. He was previously a safety and that tends to show itself at times. But with his age and athleticism, he should be able to grow into the role, provided that he lands with the right team. Defenses that ask him to take on blocks regularly could be disappointed.

Sonny Styles NFL Player Comparison: Devin Lloyd

It took a bit for Lloyd to make an impact in the NFL, but he is now one of the league’s best linebackers. With his length and speed, he excels in coverage and Jacksonville uses him all over the field. His long arms make him a reliable tackler in space and he is a big reason why their defense has made huge strides in the past two years.

Styles is an even better athlete than Lloyd, but they are similar players and the hope is that Styles can be as effective as him at the next level.

Sonny Styles Fit With Buffalo Bills

It’s been a while since the Bills have had a linebacker like Sonny Styles, but their defense could desperately use his speed. Styles would instantly be the most athletic linebacker on the roster and would allow Buffalo to transition away from Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson.

Styles still needs to add some bulk to hold up against the run, but his length and athleticism more than make up for it.

Sonny Styles NFL Draft Grade: Top-15 Selection

The NFL has gone away from traditional off-ball linebackers in the top-half of Round 1, especially in recent years. The first off-ball linebacker to be picked during the 2025 NFL Draft was Jihaad Campbell by the Philadelphia Eagles. And we have not had a pure off-ball linebacker drafted in the first 16 picks in several years.

But Styles could break that mold in 2026 as he is one of the cleanest prospects in the draft. Styles should land somewhere in the teens, but don’t be surprised if he falls due to a lack of positional value. However, there is no doubt that his talent is worthy of an early Round 1 selection.