- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,151,358
- Reaction score
- 59
The 2026 NFL draft is drawing near, meaning all 32 teams will have an opportunity to add talented, young prospects to their rosters who will hopefully give them a better chance of capturing the elusive Lombardi Trophy in the near future.
In the first round of this year's draft, there are plenty of intriguing prospects who are garnering all sorts of praise, including linebacker Sonny Styles, who ESPN's Matt Miller compared to San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner.
"Styles is a rare athlete at 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds with 4.46 speed, great length and plenty of range to be a factor as a coverage linebacker," Miller wrote. "Like Warner, Styles has awesome ability to lock down in coverage and make an impact as a pass rusher (nine career sacks). Warner's best assets are his range and instincts, and though Styles is still developing that diagnosing ability, the potential is there for the Ohio State standout."
Styles, 21, was a five-star recruit out of Pickerington Central High School in Pickerington, Ohio, before committing to Ohio State. In four seasons with the Buckeyes, he appeared in 53 games and recorded 244 tackles, nine passes defensed, nine sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery. He also earned both All-Big Ten and All-American honors once and won aa national championship.
Most draft experts project Styles will go in the top 10 picks, and if he's going to play like Warner, who has made four All-Pro teams in his career (and could've made a fifth last year if he wasn't hurt), that would be a great selection for most teams.
While the 49ers have Warner and have brought back Dre Greenlaw this offseason, they have no need to grab a linebacker early in the 2026 NFL draft, so they'll have to watch Styles start his professional career somewhere else.
More 49ers: New NFL bylaw could immediately impact 49ers ahead of season opener
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 2026 NFL draft: First-round prospect draws comparison to 49ers All-Pro
Continue reading...
In the first round of this year's draft, there are plenty of intriguing prospects who are garnering all sorts of praise, including linebacker Sonny Styles, who ESPN's Matt Miller compared to San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner.
"Styles is a rare athlete at 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds with 4.46 speed, great length and plenty of range to be a factor as a coverage linebacker," Miller wrote. "Like Warner, Styles has awesome ability to lock down in coverage and make an impact as a pass rusher (nine career sacks). Warner's best assets are his range and instincts, and though Styles is still developing that diagnosing ability, the potential is there for the Ohio State standout."
Styles, 21, was a five-star recruit out of Pickerington Central High School in Pickerington, Ohio, before committing to Ohio State. In four seasons with the Buckeyes, he appeared in 53 games and recorded 244 tackles, nine passes defensed, nine sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery. He also earned both All-Big Ten and All-American honors once and won aa national championship.
Most draft experts project Styles will go in the top 10 picks, and if he's going to play like Warner, who has made four All-Pro teams in his career (and could've made a fifth last year if he wasn't hurt), that would be a great selection for most teams.
While the 49ers have Warner and have brought back Dre Greenlaw this offseason, they have no need to grab a linebacker early in the 2026 NFL draft, so they'll have to watch Styles start his professional career somewhere else.
More 49ers: New NFL bylaw could immediately impact 49ers ahead of season opener
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 2026 NFL draft: First-round prospect draws comparison to 49ers All-Pro
Continue reading...
