After the NFL combine, any Dallas Cowboys fan who was hoping to see the team come away with Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the 12th pick was staring down an unfortunate reality: there is virtually no chance that Styles falls down the draft board enough to still be available at pick No. 12.
The general consensus has been that Styles is a lock to be drafted in the top 10, with some people mocking him as high as the division-rival New York Giants, who have the fifth pick.
But ESPN draft analyst Fields Yates seems to think there's a chance that Styles slides on draft night.
In Yates' post-free agency mock draft, his top 10 had one notable omission: Styles. Six of the picks were on the offensive side of the ball, including two receivers (Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon), two tackles, Jeremiyah Love, and Fernando Mendoza at No. 1.
So while this outcome feels a bit bizarre, it could turn out to be a dream scenario for the Cowboys. If Styles falls outside of the top 10, Dallas should absolutely consider trading up to get him. Moving up two picks would not cost an arm and a leg.
The Dallas Cowboys may have a glimmer of hope on Sonny Styles after all
The converted safety-turned-linebacker ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the combine. His 43.5" vertical in Indianapolis was the best by an off-ball linebacker in NFL history. His 10.00 relative athleticism score (RAS) was genuinely mesmerizing, yet there are still people who don't see him as a top-10 pick.
Styles is one of the rarest athletes in this draft class, and no team in the NFL can't use a player with his skill set. The 21-year-old was an All-American in 2025 and won a national championship with the Buckeyes in 2024.
A player with his track record would be a major help for this defense that will likely be addressed with two first-rounders after some minor free agent moves.
The Cowboys attempted to sign Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, but the former Georgia linebackers decided to reunite with the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving Jones scrambling for answers. Dallas also reportedly poked around Devin Lloyd before he landed with the Carolina Panthers.
If Yates has anything to say about it, the Cowboys could have a better shot at drafting a superior alternative than most fans may realize, especially if Styles slips down the board on draft day.