The landscape has changed for the New York Jets.
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles put on a show at the 2026 NFL combine.
So much so that longtime former NFL scout and current analyst Daniel Jeremiah told Rich Eisen at the end of the broadcast that Styles has “crashed the party” and is now in the conversation for the Jets with the No. 2 overall pick in the first round.
ESPN senior NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr has Styles ranked as the seventh-best overall player on his big board.
Top Styles Statistical Takeaways From Historic NFL Combine Performance
“Sonny Styles just gave us an all-time Combine performance,” the official NFL league account posted on X.
“[Styles] scored an unofficial 10.00 RAS [relative athletic score] out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1 out of 3,215 LBs from 1987 to 2026,” Math Bomb posted on social media.
“Sonny Styles profile…
6’5” ➡️ same as Calvin Johnson
244lbs ➡️ three pounds lighter than Derrick Henry
43.5″ vert ➡️ same as Nate Robinson’s max vert
4.46s forty ➡️ same as Bijan Robinson
135″ broad jump ➡️ same as Julio Jones
FREAK ATHLETE,” Underdog posted.
Senior NFL researcher Tony Holzman revealed some more stunning info:
“Sonny Styles at the 2026 Combine…
▫️Taller than Mike Evans
▫️Faster than George Pickens
▫️Quicker than Patrick Peterson
▫️Jumps higher than Davante Adams
▫️More explosive than Derwin James Jr.
▫️Heavier than Trent Cole”
A Surprise Selection for the Green and White
Linebacker is a major need for the Jets.
Jamien Sherwood was one of the biggest disappointments from last season. He racked up a lot of tackles, but struggled in every major category. Sherwood still has two years left on his $45 million contract.
Quincy Williams is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in March. Williams had problems with the previous coaching staff, and the Jets traded his brother, Quinnen Williams, in a blockbuster deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
Still, taking an off-ball-linebacker with the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft feels rich.
ESPN’s Jeff Legwold explained that Styles “played almost exclusively at middle linebacker for the Buckeyes this past season.”
That off-ball-linebacker spot just isn’t considered one of the premium positions in the NFL.
“You can tell Styles is a former safety; he has outstanding speed, and his burst allows him to spy the QB. Watch for him to dominate at the combine and in predraft testing. Styles is also a dependable tackler and closes in a flash. He really took the next step last season, even as he adapted to a new system under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia,” Kiper wrote.
Top Jets Social Media Reactions to Styles’ Emergence
Ohio State Football writer Spencer Holbrook said, “After Thursday’s NFL Combine performance, Sonny Styles should be in the mix as a top-five draft pick. Column on Styles’ incredible day at the combine and why even the Jets at No. 2 would be silly to pass on Styles in April.”
“After today, I’m still saying Arvell Reese at 2 for the Jets, but Sonny Styles is making an absolutely convincing case for the spot. If I had to peg it, I’d say Arvell Reese is the pick,” NFL draft analyst Bill Sparks posted.
“What if the Jets take Sonny Styles at pick 2 instead of an edge. Sonny Styles is by far the best LB and he would fill a huge position of need,” a fan responded.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Star Player ‘Crashed the Party’ for the Jets After NFL Combine Performance appeared first on Heavy Sports.