It’s well-known that the Cincinnati Bengals are looking to overhaul their defense this offseason. While the team will be scouring free agency for assistance, a pick on that side of the ball at No. 10 overall is almost a certainty.
The good news is that the team will likely have a shot at one of many blue-chip prospects at that spot. Many collegiate stars on the defensive line, as well as in the secondary and linebacker spots, should be available for Cincinnati in the first round.
As is almost a yearly draft tradition, THE Ohio State Buckeyes have a number of first-round projections in this year’s class. Those players will be on the table for discussion at No. 10, including linebacker Sonny Styles, who has met with the Bengals at the 2026 Scouting Combine.
Reviewing Styles’ tape definitely shows an intelligent football player, and one who brings a well-rounded skill set. After starting out his Buckeyes career as a safety in his freshman and sophomore years, Styles transitioned to linebacker as a junior.
In that 2024 Championship season for Ohio State, Styles was a menace. He racked up 100 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, and five passes defended that year. He followed that up with 82 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and an interception as a senior.
While the high-level stats took a bit of a dip last year from that of 2024, one amazing number was Styles’ missed tackle rate. After reports had him at about an 18% missed-tackle rate as a junior, that dropped to about 2% in 2025—a statistic that has to be appealing to the Bengals.
Aside from the noted “intelligent football player” quote relayed from FOX 19’s Joe Danneman, Styles brought up words and phrases like “champion,” “consistent,” and “working hard each and every day.” These are the qualities Zac Taylor covets—not only on the field, but in the culture he has created in the locker room.
Styles’ prospect ranking in this year’s class varies, with experts such as Daniel Jeremiah having him as high as No. 5 overall. FOX Sports has him at No. 8 overall, while CBS Sports has him at No. 10.
How would you feel about the Bengals drafting Sonny Styles at No. 10 overall?
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