The Dallas Cowboys are loaded with draft capital after trading away key pieces on defense, but it still might not be enough.
Throughout the draft process, Dallas has been an obvious landing spot for Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. The Cowboys have an obvious need at the position, and the former Buckeye is one of the best linebacker prospects to enter the draft in years. It's a perfect marriage.
But as the draft approaches, it's becoming clear that the Cowboys won't have the chance to take their dream prospect with the 12th pick. Even worse, he may land with an NFC East rival. Based on recent projections, Styles is favored to land with the New York Giants at pick No. 5.
Giants favored to take Sonny Styles over Cowboys in 2026 NFL Draft
DraftKings sportsbook currently gives Styles the highest odds to be the selection with the fifth pick, at +175 and draft expert Daniel Jeremiah had the Giants taking him in his latest mock draft.
As the top of the draft takes shape, it's becoming obvious that he will be taken off the board earlier than the Cowboys would hope. But the electric linebacker landing with the Giants is a worst-case scenario.
The Giants don't even have a pressing need at linebacker. After signing Tremaine Edmunds in free agency, they could afford to wait on addressing the position. But they showed last year that they're willing to draft elite prospects outside of their biggest needs by taking Abdul Carter.
Styles may simply be too dynamic to pass up in the top five. His unreal athleticism, paired with his natural instincts as a defender, make him a near-perfect prospect. NFL teams are generally hesitant to draft linebackers this early, but he may be an exception.
New York is in a position to ruin the Cowboys' draft plans by taking one of the top defensive players off the board. Even if they don't take the Ohio State backer, they may choose safety Caleb Downs, his former teammate. Either way, it would be a brutal blow for Dallas.
If Styles somehow falls beyond the Giants, another division rival will surely scoop him up. The Washington Commanders hold the seventh pick, and they need to add a starting linebacker. If the Cowboys want to keep their NFC East foes from drafting the Ohio State linebacker, they'll need to trade up to do so.