With the 2026 NFL Draft still over a month away, the New York Giants may already have their mind made up for the No. 5 overall pick.
The Giants freed up $9 million in salary cap space Tuesday night by cutting veteran linebacker Bobby Okereke. He's spent the past three seasons in New York, racking up 385 total tackles, 19 pass break-ups, 5.5 sacks, and four interceptions. His release felt inevitable since he was set to count $14.46 million against the cap.
Now that Okereke is out of the picture for the Giants, middle linebacker should be considered one of their top needs. Luckily for John Harbaugh and his coaching staff, there's an awfully intriguing option available in the draft.
© David Banks-Imagn Images.
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles is considered one of the top prospects in the draft - and rightfully so. He had 244 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception during his time with the Buckeyes.
Most NFL fans believe Styles will be leading the Giants' linebacker room for the 2026 season.
"Sonny Styles it is for the Giants," one fan said.
"And the first domino falls. Most saw it coming, especially with the cap savings, but I do think Bobby Okereke will have a solid market," a second person wrote. "The Giants desperately need a true MLB and I wouldn’t be surprised if they spend a little extra in free agency. Sonny Styles feels inevitable."
"Sonny Styles get ready to learn Giants," another fan commented.
Sonny Styles would be the perfect pick for John Harbaugh.
While at the NFL Combine last week, Harbaugh stressed the importance of having a playmaker at middle linebacker.
"The inside linebacker isn't always considered a value position, but you can't stop the run without an inside linebacker making tackles in the middle, right? You can't do it," Harbaugh said. "So that becomes pretty important."
On paper, Styles would give Harbaugh exactly what he needs at linebacker. He's a proven playmaker who has a 43.5 inch vertical and can run a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash.
Will the Giants use the No. 5 pick on Styles? We'll find out on April 23.