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<\/p>\nOhio State\u2019s Sonny Styles\u2019 college career took a turn before the 2024 season, when he moved from safety to linebacker. Over the last two seasons, he emerged as the leader of a Buckeye defense that was consistently ranked No. 1. Now, looking to take his talents to the pros, Styles may become the perfect fit to fill the potential void left by a two-time Super Bowl-winning leader.<\/p>\n
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, in his second 2026 NFL mock draft, is projecting Sonny Styles as the 15th overall pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He believes Styles is the ideal replacement for the Bucs\u2019 LB Lavonte David, who\u2019s been mulling retirement this offseason.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI have Styles rated much higher than 15th in my prospect rankings, but not all teams value off-ball linebackers the same way. Styles can plug the hole if Lavonte David does not return,\u201d Jeremiah wrote in his analysis.<\/p>\n
Multiple reports indicate that David could retire this offseason. While nothing has yet been made official, it\u2019s difficult to imagine that he\u2019d return for his 15th season at the age of 36. He even addressed the retirement buzz earlier in the offseason.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, they leave it in my hands,\u201d David said on an episode of Up & Adams. \u201cIt\u2019s up to me and what I want to do\u2026 If Bowles didn\u2019t come back, there\u2019d be no shot, to be honest with you. It\u2019s Bucs or nowhere else. I played my 14-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they\u2019ve been real; they\u2019ve been loyal to me. The fans have been really loyal to my family and me. I\u2019ve grown to love the city; being somewhere else just wouldn\u2019t feel right.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) reacts after a safety against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
In the eventuality that David retires, Styles can be the ideal fit. The former has built a long NFL career on his top-notch coverage skills and elite tackling. That\u2019s what Styles\u2019 game is all about. During the 2025 season, he missed one tackle on nearly 700 defensive snaps.<\/p>\n
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Moreover, just like David, Sonny Styles was a versatile defensive weapon for both Jim Knowles and Matt Patricia. They utilized him in run defense, blitzing, and man-to-man coverage against tight ends.<\/p>\n
The only issue for the Bucs is that they may have to trade up if they see the Ohio State linebacker as a \u201cmust-have\u201d player. The Cowboys are picking at No. 12, and they could potentially take a shot at Sonny Styles, given that they released Logan Wilson this month. And it\u2019s not just Daniel Jeremiah who is making a Styles-to-Bucs case.<\/p>\n
Joel Klatt also predicts Sonny Styles to the Bucs<\/p>\n