Seahawks Named Fit for National Champion LB
The Seattle Seahawks have not selected a linebacker on the first two days of the NFL Draft since Mike Macdonald became head coach in 2024. While the Seahawks aren’t likely to need a high-profiled linebacker in the draft next spring, Bleacher Report proposed the possibility anyway Saturday.
The BR NFL Draft scouting department named the Seahawks a fit for Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
“Linebacker isn’t a pressing need for Seattle with Ernest Jones in the fold. But the defense is struggling to figure out the spot next to Jones, giving Drake Thomas and Tyrice Knight a handful of starts each this season,” wrote BR’s staff.
“Luckily, this year’s draft class is strong at the position.”
Styles posted 100 combined tackles, including 10.5 for loss during the 2024 season. The Buckeyes played 16 games and won the national championship.
In the title game, Styles registered six total tackles and one sack.
Styles was one of three linebackers Bleacher Report named as fits for the Seahawks. The BR staff also called Georgia’s CJ Allen and Alabama’s Deontae Lawson fits for Seattle.
Both Styles and Allen are top 32 players on Bleacher Report’s 2026 NFL draft big board. Lawson is ranked as the No. 43 overall player.
Seahawks Called Fit for Ohio State’s Sonny Styles
There’s a long way to go until the 2026 NFL Draft. A lot happens for teams after the season leading up to the draft let alone when there’s still more than half the games remaining.
Linebacker isn’t likely to be Seattle’s top priority. But if Macdonald wants to add another defensive piece in the first round, Styles is an intriguing option.
“Sonny Styles is an impressive athlete with the necessary skills to be an excellent coverage linebacker in the NFL and a top-tier backer in the 2026 NFL draft class,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder.
Through the first seven games this season, Styles posted 39 combined tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss. He also had an interception with a forced fumble.
If Seattle added Styles to its linebacker corps, the Seahawks would have another long-term option alongside Ernest Jones.
The Seahawks acquired Jones from the Tennessee Titans last October. Seattle re-signed the linebacker to a three-year deal in March.
NFL Announces Punishment for Broncos Duo Before Cowboys Game
Dre Greenlaw was not the only
All three players’ infractions occurred during the Broncos’ 33-32 win over the New York Giants in Week 7.
However, Moss and Strnad have not been suspended for their actions, as
Riley Moss Fined for Facemask Penalty in Broncos-Giants
GettyRiley Moss #21 of the Denver Broncos tackles Wan’Dale Robinson #17 of the New York Giants.
According to the NFL’s football operations portal
Moss, a former third-round pick in the third year of a
This was also the least costly of his two penalties in the game, as the Giants eventually punted.
Moss was also penalized for pass interference in the fourth quarter, which, while questionable to draw protest from Broncos head coach Sean Payton, more importantly led to a Giants touchdown on the following play.
“That was silly,” Payton told reporters on October 19. I had just felt like, man, I’m close with a number of people on that crew. But it just so happens in the last three times, the numbers haven’t been good. And I knew the certain penalty was wrong. That’s hard, because it made it first and five that led to their first score [of the second half]. That’s happened one other time. I just wanted them to hear me. You can’t do that.”
NFL EVP Telegraphed Justin Strnad Fine
GettyJustin Strnad #40 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the New York Jets.
Like Moss, whose unnecessary roughness penalty was sure to draw a fine, Strnad’s comes as little surprise. In one key way, it is even less surprising.
Strnad had an interaction with referee Brad Allen before Greenlaw confronted the latter.
“There was some contact with, I think it was Justin, No. 40, and each one of those are just isolated,” NFL executive vice president of football operations
Strnad, on a one-year, $2.8 million contract
NFL Made Example Out of Dre Greenlaw
Vincent presented the idea that the league was using Greenlaw as an example, suspending him and not Strnad, for not only their NFL brethren, but also future generations of pros. Greenlaw’s use of “abusive” and “threatening language” was the basis for his suspension.
Greenlaw was not fined for the incident. However, his suspension was without pay.
“There’s just no place no no place in the game for that,” Vincent told Florio. “Also, I think it’s part of the message that the NFL wants to send to all lower levels of sport. We’ve seen incidents postgame at the youth level between coaches and officials. We don’t need that to happen. And I think if you take a strong stand with the Dre Greenlaw, maybe – maybe – it sends a message to the other.”
Greenlaw can return to the field in Week 9, when the Broncos will visit the Houston Texans, who are 2-4 entering Week 8.
