Ohio State LB Sonny Styles went to the Commanders with the seventh pick in the NFL Draft. Styles opened college as a safety before transitioning to LB. As recently as 2024, he saw 163 snaps aligned in slot coverage. He saw those chances decline in his final season with the Buckeyes, while earning his highest career Pro Football Focus grades in run defense and coverage.
Shane Hallam, DS film guru: "He’s an elite athlete who … brings strong coverage and improved his play diagnosis in 2025.”
Styles looks like the best IDP prospect in this class for just about any format.
Converted safeties typically hit the NFL smaller than this guy, who measured 6’5 and 244 pounds at the Scouting Combine. Add to that a 4.46-second 40 time, and you get a 99th-percentile speed score historically for the position.
Styles didn’t post enormous tackle numbers at Ohio State, but part of that comes from playing in a talent-laden defense. He posted good-enough numbers, especially across categories. That included 17 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 8 passes defensed over the past two years.
Expect Styles to jump into a full-time role immediately. That would give him a nice stat floor even as he acclimates to the pro game.
Styles looks like at least a good candidate for LB2-level scoring as a rookie, with upside into the top 12.
It’s also tough to find any other rookie with as attractive a long-term fantasy profile as this Ohio State alum. Styles’ DB background, size, abnormally high draft capital for the position, and cross-category production make him a strong bet to maintain a three-down role.
Styles looks like a first-round pick for most IDP dynasty formats, assuming your league starts more than three defensive players.
He easily leads our IDP rookie rankings.
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