If John Harbaugh wants one particular member of the 2026 NFL draft, he shouldn’t wait to take him, or else the New York Giants will lose the player to a rival coach in the NFC East.
The Giants and their new head coach want Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, but Harbaugh has been warned by Todd McShay of The Ringer to and use the earlier of his two first-round picks.
McShay explained on “The McShay Show” on Monday, April 20, how “There are people who are of the strong belief that Sonny Styles is the guy (for the Giants), and I can tell you this for a fact, if you want Sonny Styles you gotta get him at five because he’s not going six, unless Dallas were maybe to trade up there if that were their intention.”
While the Dallas Cowboys are an outsider to make a move for Styles, McShay revealed why Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is the bigger threat. According to McShay, Styles “is going seven, so I’ll just tell you that right now. If Sonny Styles is sitting there for the Washington Commanders, I’m told on pretty damn good authority, Dan Quinn, that’s his guy.”
The Commanders have an obvious need at linebacker so Quinn’s interest makes sense. Yet, the Giants arguably have a greater need to improve the talent at the heart of their linebacker corps, making Styles a priority with the fifth pick.
Sonny Styles Fits John Harbaugh Blueprint
Harbaugh spent 18 years as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, working with some of the best middle linebackers in NFL history. Including Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, five-time Pro Bowler C.J. Mosley and All-Pro Roquan Smith.
Building his first Giants defense around a similarly dynamic inside ‘backer would be a smart move for Harbaugh. Styles fits the bill as what McShay calls “a plug-and-play starter with All-Pro potential.”
Interestingly, McShay also noted Styles “compares well to Tremaine Edmunds, who went to the Pro Bowl twice in his first three seasons in the league.”
The Giants committed big money to Edmunds during free agency, despite some worrying stats about the veteran. Any concerns about Edmunds would be eased by putting an athlete with Styles’ physicality and range next to him, particularly since the Giants lack another credible starter besides steady thumper Micah McFadden.
Adding Styles would make up for the Giants losing a bluechip talent when they traded All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II to the Cincinnati Bengals. That deal yielded the 10th-overall pick, a selection Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen are expected to use on offense.
Giants Can Take Early Risk Thanks to 10th Pick
The Lawrence pick is already speculated to go on a wide receiver, one Harbaugh’s former team is keen to select. Having the 10th choice gives the Giants greater options at five, but it also means they don’t need to worry if they’re backed into taking Styles earlier than they might like.
Harbaugh and Schoen can pounce for Styles early, knowing that closing out the top-10 will still give them a good chance to land another marquee prospect. The extra draft capital is important for a rebuilding team also with needs at receiver, along the offensive line and in the secondary.
Using prime picks to acquire playmakers for each side of the ball would be a comprehensive way for Harbaugh to accelerate the Giants’ roster reshuffle.
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