49ers' Fred Warner compared to NFL Draft prospect who's been linked to Cowboys, Bengals

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49ers' Fred Warner compared to NFL Draft prospect who's been linked to Cowboys, Bengals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Francisco 49ers are picking all of the way at 27th overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. While they're going to miss out on a lot of top-tier prospects, that doesn't mean they won't be getting a solid player.

But, if the 49ers wanted to add another linebacker to pair with Fred Warner, the best one, who's drawn some Warner comparisons, is not likely to be on the board for their pick.

ESPN's Matt Miller used Warner as the NFL comparison for Ohio State prospect Sonny Styles. The electric off-ball linebacker has been linked to the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals, among other teams, this offseason. And now, he's linked to the 49ers, but by way of a lofty NFL comparison in Warner.

Sonny Styles compared to Fred Warner​

"Like Warner, Styles has awesome ability to lock down in coverage and make an impact as a pass rusher (nine career sacks)," Miller writes. "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."

Any player being compared to Warner is a bold and lofty comparison. But Miller believes in the similarities between the two in their playstyle.

Just as Warner can be a great cover linebacker, Styles can be such a defender as well. In the NFL, Styles being able to cover well would be a huge skill set to have at his disposal.

More: 49ers could be interested in Kayvon Thibodeaux

But it's not just their cover abilities. Warner and Styles also have great pass-rush upside. While they might not play along the edge like some other linebackers, like Micah Parsons or Arvell Reese, can, they are more than capable of getting to the quarterback.

Their skill sets are both impressive, but what makes this comparison work is how athletic Styles is. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard-dash at the NFL Combine at 6-foot05, 244 pounds.

That kind of athleticism among linebackers is something that very few players have; Warner is one of them.

It's a bold comparison for Styles, but if he can reach his potential in the NFL, a Fred Warner kind of player would not be out of the realm of possibility.

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