The Dallas Cowboys set the NFL on fire when they traded star linebacker Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers just before the start of the season. Unsurprisingly, Dallas’ defense has struggled as a result, but they could have an opportunity to replace Parsons in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
In the first round of his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Field Yates has the Cowboys selecting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 15 overall pick. Styles, who was named First-Team All-Big Ten this season, is one of the top linebacker prospects in the ’26 draft class.
Cowboys select linebacker Sonny Styles in first round of ESPN mock draft
Styles has solid versatility for the linebacker position as he has the dual ability to both blitz and play in coverage. It’s a skill set that the Cowboys could certainly use, especially in the absence of Parsons.
From Yates:
“They could address linebacker first with Styles, who has made the impressive transition to the position after beginning his collegiate career at safety. He has outstanding length, movement skills and range at the second level. And on top of the coverage skills from his time at safety, Styles can be an effective blitzer when called upon; he had 6.0 sacks during Ohio State's national title run last season.”
As a team, the Cowboys have other needs, namely in the secondary, so there’s no guarantee that they’ll look to add a Parsons replacement – or a linebacker at all – in the first round, though it’s almost a guarantee that they’ll look to add one at some point in the draft.
Dallas’ ultimate draft position will be determined by how they finish out the current campaign. With four games remaining, the Cowboys sit at 6-6-1. Their playoff hopes are still alive, albeit barely. To potentially qualify for postseason play, Dallas will have to win their own games and hope that the Philadelphia Eagles continue to lose games. The Eagles have lost three straight games after an 8-2 start to the season.
The Cowboys' final four games this season come against the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders and New York Giants.