Hope Emerges for Cowboys to Land Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs at No. 12

The Dallas Cowboys have two picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, and they have several holes to fill on defense.

With their first pick coming at No. 12 overall, there's a strong chance they can land a game-changer on defense, but what are the chances they can choose someone such as Ohio State's Sonny Styles?

Styles would fill the Cowboys' biggest need, but after he exploded at the NFL Combine, his draft stock flew through the roof. There's still hope Dallas could wind up with Styles, however, thanks to the needs of the teams ahead of them.

Cowboys could wind up with Sonny Styles

Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

105.3 The Fan's RJ Choppy, Shan Shariff, and Bobby Belt discussed the teams picking No. 1-11, and Choppy said none of their beat writers list linebacker as a top-three need.

"So, linebacker, like I said, one of the top problems for this team. And if you do the same exercise with the teams that are slotted ahead of the Cowboys in the draft, so the top 11, and they're all using local beat guys to tell you the top three needs, right? So they would have a handle on it. Not a single team in front of the Cowboys has linebacker listed in their top three needs," Choppy said.

He was asked about the Giants and Titans as possible teams who could take Styles before the Cowboys were on the board, and Choppy said they have greater needs listed.

"The Giants have defensive tackle, guard, and corner. That's who they have listed for that. Who did you say? The Titans? The Titans have edge, wide receiver, center. So not a single team lists linebacker."

According to local beat writers for teams picking No. 1-11 in the #NFLDraft, none of their team's top-3 needs include LB or safety...

Might the #DallasCowboys get lucky and actually end up with Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs? @rjchoppy, @1053SS and @Bobby discuss⤵️ pic.twitter.com/OoKLX6rkvB
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) April 2, 2026

The crew then said that means the Cowboys could luck out and get the top linebacker in this class, which would help transform their defense.

Cowboys could also have a chance at Caleb Downs

Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine. | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

From there, they discussed the possibility of Caleb Downs sliding to the Cowboys at No. 12. The Ohio State star is the No. 1 safety in the class, but Choppy said only the Arizona Cardinals have the position as a top-three need.

"The only team that lists safety in the top three that's ahead of us is Arizona. The problem is Arizona's picking third," Choppy said.

Taking a safety at No. 3 would be early, which is why the Cardinals might not be willing to pull the trigger. If they don't, there could also be a scenario where the Cowboys could bring in the top safety in this class.

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