The Perfect Pick for Cardinals at #3 is a Best Kept Secret
By Walter Mitchell
Tyler Drake, who does a fantastic job for Arizona Sports, just wrote a great article wherein he provided a red flag (or pressing question mark) of sorts about each of the top prospects at pick #3 whom the Cardinals' have been linked to most often in mock drafts. Here, it's a great read. Have a look:
https://arizonasports.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/draft-red-flags/3618428/?lid=2l5fk742ujqg
After reading Tyler's excellent article, I asked him this question. Here was my entire message:
Hi Tyler, I enjoyed your red flag article. Well defined, in each case. I think the Cardinals have been keeping things as mum as possible on their #1 favorite at pick #3. That player is not on your list. With this player, whom his college position coach said will be "the face of the franchise" wherever he goes, is about as red-flag free as a prospect can get. Your guess?
The perfect fit, best kept secret for the Arizona Cardinals:
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio St.
Fun facts:
* Sonny --- nicknamed as a kid after Sonny Corleone of The Godfather for being strong-willed ---
* His father, Lorenzo Styles Sr., was a linebacker for the St. Louis Rams ---here's his AI overview
Production Score
Athleticism Score *est
Total Score
40-Yard Dash
10-Yard Split
Vertical Jump
Broad Jump
3-Cone Drill
20-Yd Shuttle
Shades Of
Demario DavisPros
Cons
2025 Comparables
Pass Rush Grade
Run Defense Grade
Coverage Grade
Avg Depth of Run Tackle
Missed Tackle Rate
2025 Stats:
82 tackles in 2025 with only 2 missed tackles💙
9 career sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 9 PBUs
Matt Patricia with Peter Schrager talking about Sonny Styles (must watch):
Styles is a tall, long and rangy linebacker prospect. He made a smooth transition from safety to linebacker during his college career and put on an epic display at the NFL Scouting Combine. In the run game, he’s quick to key, read and fill to make tackles. He uses his length to press off blocks and has outstanding lateral range to pick up production on the perimeter. He’s a firm, reliable tackler with stopping power on contact. Styles is outstanding in coverage. He can carry slot receivers down the seam and smoothly mirrors tight ends all over the field. He’s an explosive blitzer and will run over running backs who try to block him in pass pro. Styles’ performance in the Big Ten title game against Indiana answered any questions about his game, as he was the best defender on the field in that matchup. He reminds me of Fred Warner as a player. It's hard to find prospects with Styles' combination of speed, athleticism and instincts.
What are the odds that the Cardinals select Sonny Styles at pick #3?
A key factor could involve the Jets' pick at #2.
Especially if they pick Arvell Reese.
Right now, the Arizona Cardinals are the envy of the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys who appear to be coveting David Bailey and may be willing to offer both of their 1st round picks to move up to #3.
If the Jets choose David Bailey at #2 instead, it's uncertain whether Arvell Reese would command as much trade interest as David Bailey.
As we know, Monti savors the thought of getting trade offers.
The Bidwill factor: many pundits and fans believe that Bidwill is the high-profile person in the building who is banging the ticket sales table for RB Jeremiyah Love.
This presents a curious scenario for Monti Ossenfort because Bidwill also has a history of giving his GMs slack when he makes a decision that is contrary to what his GM wants. Ironically, Monti may be less likely to be fired after this season, if he is forced (one again? MHJ in 2024?) to comply with the owner's wishes.
This scenario would be yet another example of the classic Bidwillean quid pro quo. Problem is Bidwillean quid pro quos tend to backfire on him, his GM and the team.
However, if for some strange reason the Cardinals are now at the point where Bidwill is going to support what the Cardinals draft team wants, then the player who wowed them the most during the scouting process, could be the Cardinals' surprise pick come Thursday night.
Why?
Sonny Styles checks all of the major boxes:
* Pedigree ✅
* Supreme Athleticism ✅
* Dude is 6-5, 244, runs a 4.4 40 and has a 42.5" vertical (77" + 42.5" = 119.5", that is unheard of for a MIKE LB --- try passing over 119.5")
* 9.99 RAS This ranked 4 out of 3480 LB from 1987 to 2026 ✅
* Crushing NFL Combine ✅ (watch for yourself)
https://youtube.com/shorts/1tsqZxcV0Qg?si=hoyIAT3hGTXGiASg
* #1 at his position ✅
* Face of Franchise Leadership ✅
* National Champion ✅
* Ohio St. Allure ✅
* Superstar caliber addition to a heavy zone coverage pass defense ✅
* The surest tackler in the draft for a defense that ranked #32 in tackling ✅
* Exemplary work ethic ✅ (see quick workout video)
https://youtube.com/shorts/r8WkhLmMQ8k?si=BPyjVQW0BionAJCi
Question is --- do the Cardinals have the courage to pick him over the fans' lust for Love or a trade down for a tackle and QB?
If the Cardinals do have the courage and the smarts to make the pick:
Odds are a consensus of fans will be bullshit.
They undoubtedly will say, "Not another off the ball linebacker."
They will cry, "The Cardinals already have Mack Wilson Sr., Jack Gibbens and Cody Simon."
But realities like these troubling numbers below are what the fans don't seem to comprehend:
5. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 244 | Grade: 94
Comp: Fred Warner
Styles fits the mold of the long, fast versatile linebacker prospect who is regularly drafted in the first round. His speed, length, power in his hands and range jump off the tape. And as a former safety, Styles knows how to turn and move in coverage, too. Though Arvell Reese got much of the Ohio State defensive attention last season, Styles produced 83 tackles and one interception and has shown pass-rush ability (six sacks in 2024). An elite combine performance -- including a 43½-inch vertical jump and 4.46-second 40-yard dash -- has put him in the top-five conversation.
Joel Klatt is right on the money:
https://youtube.com/shorts/6vCzF389ilo?si=WS6kHVvnSO0IH7lq
Commentary:
While Cardinals' fans may be outraged at first --- the ESPN crew is going to absolutely rave about Sonny Styles --- for whichever team drafts him. It would be hard to imagine him getting past the New York Giants at pick #5 because John Harbaugh has an affinity for drafting speedy, playmaking defensive unicorns.
How in the world could the Cardinals pass on Sonny Styles?
There could not possibly be a better fit for the Cardinals at the top of this draft.
Even his name if a perfect fit for the Sonny skies in Arizona.
And get this --- if things don't work out for Nick Rallis this season --- the Cardinals could make a huge pitch to sign Matt Patricia as defensive coordinator.
Tip of the hat goes to our wiser-than-his-years co-host and producer of the Red Rain Podcast, Kyle "L'il Rock" Ledbetter, aka "Gardner Minchew Jr." --- because he's been touting Sonny Styles from day one.
Red Rain Podcast 212: Saturday am
Speaking of the Red Rain Podcast, we have moved this week's taping of the show to Saturday morning so we can discuss and analyze the Cardinals' moves on Day 1 and Day 2.
I'm good with Styles at #3. I just want them to stack the defense this draft. I think the addition of Teryl Austin is really going to help Rallis out this season.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I would add:
ReplyDeleteStyles & Simon played together (Ohio St) and have chemistry already. Having them both may be a long-term answer for our troubles at ILB (years in making).
Not to beat a dead horse, but I still feel like drafting an edge (Bailey or Bain) allows them to move Collins back to ILB. But as stated previously, I doubt Rallis would have the gravitas to do so.
If we do draft Styles @#3 it is imperative we get a NT to help keep our LB's clean (McDonald or Hunter would be good selections IMO). Also, pairing a NT with Robinson & Nolan may just free them up to make more disruptive plays.
This is why Bidwill should had let Nick go to GB, but Bidwill rather save a few more nickels this season and pray his next stadium gimmick will be the one to rain cash..
ReplyDelete"If the Cardinals do have the courage and the smarts to make the pick"
ReplyDeleteWell, there's your answer. They don't. Case closed. See you tomorrow when they prove it.
Last 5 seasons-top picks, wrong players, wrong scheme, wrong usage, wrong everything.