The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear ready to find their next Lavonte David in the 2026 NFL draft, with Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles emerging as a likely candidate. According to FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt, Styles could be available at the 15th overall pick this April, presenting a prime opportunity for the Buccaneers to address the inside linebacker position heading into the offseason.
Klatt highlighted Styles as the best middle linebacker prospect in the draft, praising his versatility that includes experience wearing the green dot helmet and a college career that initially started in the safety role. At just 21 years old, and with three years of starting experience at Ohio State, Styles combines youth with impressive physical attributes.
Lavonte David is 36 and a free agent. So, the Buccaneers are probably looking at replacing this offseason or sometime soon. Styles is the best inside linebacker in the draft, showing he can do it all at Ohio State this past season. He actually started his college career at safety, but they moved him to linebacker because of his massive 6-foot-5 frame. He’s also got three years of starting experience, and he’s still just 21 years old,
Joel Klatt, FOX Sports analyst
While the Buccaneers face uncertainty about David’s future, the veteran has expressed that his decision lies solely in his hands, emphasizing loyalty to Tampa Bay as a deciding factor.
Ultimately, they leave it in my hands,
Lavonte David said during an interview with Kay Adams on Up & Adams.
It’s up to me and what I want to do… If Bowles didn’t come back, there’d be no shot, to be honest with you.
It’s Bucs or nowhere else. I played my 14-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they’ve been real, they’ve been loyal to me — the fans have been real loyal to me and my family. I’ve grown to love the city… me being somewhere else, it wouldn’t feel right.
The Buccaneers’ approach to the draft and whether they use their pick on Styles might hinge on David’s offseason decision about continuing his career.
Sonny Styles’ Skill Set and NFL Readiness
Though Styles has exceptional athleticism, especially when rushing around the edges of offensive protection, some analysts note he still has raw elements to refine before being fully NFL-ready. This includes improving his ability to stop the run and fill interior gaps, areas that could determine his effectiveness as a middle linebacker at the professional level.
Comparisons have been drawn between Styles and fellow linebacker Arvell Reese, another potential first-round pick praised for overwhelming offensive lines with speed and power. While Reese is viewed as the more polished prospect, Styles’ blend of size and versatility gives him a high ceiling provided he develops further under the right coaching guidance.
As Styles transitions from the Ohio State Buckeyes to the NFL, whether he joins Tampa Bay or another franchise, his progression will depend on coaching and adaptation to the intense demands of pro football.
Implications for the Buccaneers’ Future Linebacker Corps
The Buccaneers face a pivotal moment at linebacker with Lavonte David entering free agency and weighing his retirement options. Should David depart, the drafting of Sonny Styles could signal a strategic move toward rebuilding the team’s defensive core around a younger, promising talent. However, the timing of such a transition remains uncertain and will likely unfold during the offseason as both player and team decisions become clearer.
Sonny Styles offers the Buccaneers a potential successor with a unique combination of youth, size, and versatility, aligning with the team’s need to maintain strength on defense while preparing for the post-David era.
