Sonny Styles has the juice to become Chiefs' next defensive tone-setter

The Kansas City Chiefs defense has managed to escape quite a bit of criticism for a disappointing 2025. Partly because expectations were lower to begin with, but also because the talent just isn’t overwhelming on that side of the ball. When the Chiefs defense has been at its best, it has had a vocal leader, a dog with both bark and bite. While Chris Jones and Trent McDuffie are excellent players, they don’t bring the swagger that Tyrann Mathieu, Frank Clark, or Justin Reid did.

Nick Bolton has been the brain of the defense for the last four years, but his limitations in coverage continue to be a liability. The Chiefs aren’t going to move off Bolton this offseason, but they do have a need at linebacker with Leo Chenal and possibly Drue Tranquill moving on. With Jeffrey Bassa still a total unknown, there are more questions than answers for the Chiefs defense.

Sonny Styles brings a swagger that could make him the new captain of the Chiefs defense after a year under Nick Bolton’s wing. He was the signal-caller for college football’s most complex defense under former NFL defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

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NFL Draft Profile: Sonny Styles, Linebacker , Ohio State

Age: 21 (November 2004)

Height: 6-4 (Listed)

Weight: 235 LBS.

Tape Exposure: Indiana (2025), Texas (2025), Michigan (2025)

Shades of: DeMarvion Overshown

Sonny Styles' background

A native of Ohio, Styles was a consensus five-star recruit. He is the son of former Ohio State star Lorenzo Styles Sr., who won a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams. Styles was the second-ranked safety in the nation and the No. 27 overall prospect in the country. After receiving offers from Cincinnati, Oregon, and Ohio, he committed to staying in-state in 2021.

Styles saw limited playing time his freshman year as a defensive back but still earned All-Big Ten honorable mention. In 2024, he moved to linebacker, where he thrived, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors during Ohio State’s national championship run.

As a senior, Styles is one of Pro Football Focus’ top-graded linebackers in both run and pass defense. PFF credits him with 45 run stops as well as 70 tackles, including zero missed tackles during the 2025 season. Styles, along with running mate Arvell Reese, has become the best and most diverse linebacking tandem in the nation.

Why Sonny Styles fits the Chiefs

Athleticism

Styles is built and moves like a contemporary linebacker in today’s pass-heavy NFL. His background at safety shows in his backpedal and comfort in zone defense. His downhill trigger is dynamic, and he consistently gets free of blocks from offensive linemen to make plays on the ball. His open-field athleticism makes him an excellent tackler. Styles ranked 10th on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List for his 11-0 broad jump, 40-inch vertical jump, and 675-pound squat at 10 percent body fat.

Juice

It’s intangible, but when you watch Styles, he loves making a big play in a big moment. He celebrates with teammates and never wastes an opportunity to deliver a blow to a ball carrier. His leadership in a complex defense and ability to make on-field adjustments is something coaches will love, given his experience in a pro-style system.

Versatility

Styles is part of why Arvell Reese was able to be the chess piece he was for the Buckeyes. He can obviously play well in the box, but he’s also been used to mug gaps, rush from a wide-9 technique, blitz, spy the quarterback, and carry tight ends and backs up the seam in coverage.

Concerns for Sonny Styles on the Chiefs

Frame

At 6'4" and 235 lbs., there are concerns about whether Styles can be an every-down linebacker at the next level. While he has length, his size is fairly similar to Jeffrey Bassa, another converted safety. Styles’ tape against the run is far superior to Bassa’s in college, but as the NFL continues to evolve into a heavy play-action and run game, he could struggle.

Vision

At times, Styles can be misdirected by play action and motion—something linebackers must sort through consistently on defense. Additionally, he doesn’t always take the best pursuit angles, likely relying on being one of the most athletic players on the field.

Strength

Styles does not have an overwhelming physique and can be bullied at times by bigger pass catchers at the catch point. That lack of strength also shows up in tackling, where he tends to hang on and drag down defenders rather than consistently making clean form tackles.

Does Sonny Styles make sense for the Chiefs?

Depending on how teams view Arvell Reese, there’s a decent chance Styles is the first linebacker drafted in this class, and there’s also a good chance he goes in the first round. With the Chiefs’ investment in Nick Bolton and Jeffrey Bassa, does it make sense to invest a first-round pick in another linebacker? It only makes sense if there’s a path to shifting Bolton into more of a run-stuffing SAM role rather than an every-down MIKE and dime linebacker. Bolton, Styles, and Bassa would form an incredibly dynamic trio.

Sonny Styles possesses rare athletic ability and coverage skills for a contemporary every-down linebacker. His downhill trigger, open-field tackling, and ability to shed blocks give him the profile of a potential Pro Bowl-caliber player.

Round Grade: Purple Chip (1st round pick)