'That's exactly what they need,' ESPN analyst dives into the rumored signing of Sonny Styles by Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly laying the groundwork for a massive draft day splash regarding Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, with multiple league insiders reporting that Jerry Jones and the front office are prepared to package their picks to aggressively trade up into the top five of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Dallas currently holds the 12th and 20th overall selections, giving them plenty of ammunition to negotiate a blockbuster move. The defense in Big D has been begging for a true enforcer in the middle of the field. They need someone who can plug the run with authority while simultaneously running stride-for-stride with the modern NFL’s freakish pass-catching tight ends.

Styles checks every single one of those boxes, offering a rare blend of size, speed, and football IQ that defensive coordinators usually only find when building a custom player in a video game. Upgrading this position isn’t just a luxury for the Cowboys. It is a fundamental requirement if they want to survive the physical gauntlet of the NFC postseason.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, several front offices around the league are entirely convinced that Dallas is trying to leapfrog a bitter division rival to get their guy. Schultz reported that getting ahead of the New York Giants would be the ideal scenario for the Cowboys, provided the asking price doesn’t completely gut their draft class.

1. The NFC East Arms Race

The chess match between Dallas and New York is what makes this potential trade so fascinating. The Giants have made no secret of their affection for Styles. They need a cornerstone defensive piece just as badly as Dallas does, and sitting at number five gives them a prime vantage point to grab him without lifting a finger. If the Cowboys stay put at 12, they will almost certainly be watching Styles hold up a blue jersey in New York. It is a potential nightmare scenario for a Dallas offense that would have to play against him twice a year for the next decade. To prevent that, the Cowboys have to find a willing dance partner in the top four. The Arizona Cardinals, at number three, and the Tennessee Titans, at number four, have both emerged as the most logical trade candidates. Both franchises are currently in the middle of extensive roster rebuilds and could drastically benefit from acquiring additional first-round capital. By trading back with Dallas, Arizona, or Tennessee, the team could stockpile picks to fill multiple holes, while the Cowboys would get the singular, transformative talent they desperately crave. You don’t mortgage your draft future for just any linebacker. The position has been somewhat devalued in recent years, with teams opting to pay premium capital for edge rushers and cornerbacks instead. But Styles is the exception to the rule. He represents the evolution of the position. Draft analyst Travis May recently broke down what makes the prospect such a unicorn. May noted that Styles’ elite-level athleticism might make him the absolute best raw talent in the entire 2026 draft class. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-5, his frame allows him to hold up against downhill rushing attacks with ease. Yet it is his fluidity in space that sets him apart from his peers. He stays glued to shifty wide receivers and tight ends in coverage, erasing throwing lanes and making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.

2. The Riddick Endorsement

When evaluating a prospect of this magnitude, it helps to listen to the voices who have spent decades in league front offices. ESPN analyst and former NFL executive Louis Riddick has been incredibly vocal about what Styles brings to the table, both between the lines and in the locker room. Riddick made it perfectly clear that this isn’t a prospect you overthink. “Sonny is can’t-miss, though,” Riddick explained. “When you get him, you know you’re getting a great player. You’re getting a great person, and that’s exactly what [the Cowboys] need.”

3. The Cost of Doing Business

The reality of the NFL Draft is that trading from 12 to 3 or 4 is going to hurt. The draft value chart indicates that Dallas will likely have to surrender both of its first-round picks this year (12 and 20) and potentially sweeten the pot with a mid-round selection or a future asset. It is a steep price to pay for one player, effectively putting all of their defensive eggs into the Sonny Styles basket. However, the Cowboys have operated with this level of aggression before when they felt a player could change their franchise trajectory. They famously traded up for Morris Claiborne in 2012, and while the results of that specific move were mixed, it proves that Jerry Jones is never afraid to pull the trigger when he falls in love with a prospect. Furthermore, having two first-round picks gives Dallas a unique flexibility. They aren’t borrowing against their future as heavily as other teams might have to. They are simply consolidating their current assets to acquire a blue-chip talent. If Styles becomes the perennial All-Pro that evaluators like Riddick expect him to be, nobody in Dallas will be complaining about the draft capital it took to acquire him. The clock is officially ticking toward April 23. Over the next few weeks, the rumor mill will undoubtedly hit a fever pitch as teams finalize their draft boards and run through endless trade scenarios. The Cardinals and Titans are currently fielding calls, weighing the value of keeping a premier prospect versus trading back for a haul of picks. The Giants are sitting at five, hoping their guy falls to them while nervously checking their rearview mirror for the Cowboys. As for Dallas, the objective is clear. They have identified the missing piece to their defensive puzzle. Now, it just comes down to whether they are willing to push all their chips to the center of the table to go get him.

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