Why trading up to draft Sonny Styles is super risky for the Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys need a linebacker in a major way this offseason. After realigning the personnel and striking out in free agency, they are desperately thin in the middle and lack viable options for the 2026 season. It only makes sense the Cowboys devote one of their first-round picks to the position when the draft kicks off Thursday, April 23. But what if the Cowboys devote more than one first-round pick to address linebacker? What if they package their two picks, No. 12 and No. 20, to move up for a linebacker?

Ohio State star Sonny Styles, regarded by many as the top off-ball linebacker prospect in the 2026 NFL draft, is rumored by some to be the object of Dallas’ affection this year. Multiple insiders have mocked him to the Cowboys throughout the draft process with many recently having Dallas trade up to do so.

On paper it makes sense. Styles fits the bill as to what new defensive coordinator Christian Parker is looking for in a linebacker. He’s big, athletic, rangy and diverse in his ability. Styles is a moveable chess piece capable of playing all three downs as a difference maker. There’s no doubt someone like Styles would make an immediate impact on the Cowboys defense but trading up comes at a cost.

Where’s the pass rush?

The Cowboys need a top tier edge rusher in the worst way. As things stand now, Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku are penciled in as starters and those two combined for just 9.5 total sacks last season. If the Cowboys want to take the burden off their struggling secondary in 2026, developing a pass rush is critical, but with the top pick going to linebacker, what resources can the Cowboys dedicate to the edge spot?

Moving up two or three spots may only take an extra third-round pick, but if the Cowboys move up into the range Styles is expected to go, their other first-round pick will probably need to be in play. That means waiting until Day 2 to address the edge rusher spot.

Looking at Pro Football Focus' top graded edge rushers from last season, seven of 10 were drafted in the first round. If teams want an instant impact edge rusher in the draft, they typically need to draft them in the first round, and early in the first round at that.