Washington Commanders Select Sonny Styles
The Washington Commanders select Sonny Styles as the number seven overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft
Washington started fast in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft taking Sonny Styles at #7, and if there was any question about the direction that defense was going, that pick has answered it. The Commanders picked up one of the most physically talented defensive prospects in the class directly into the heart of the defense.
Styles comes out of Ohio State football as one of the most unique prospects in the 2026 Draft, beginning his career as a safety before working his way to full time linebacker. His movement patterns are a bit unique from other more traditional linebackers. He looks every bit a defensive back on the field but packs as hard of a punch as someone that has played the linebacker position his whole career.
The Numbers Say it All
That athleticism and unique skillset is what allowed him to be seen as a top-tier prospect. At 6-5 and around 240lbs, Styles provides the size, and speed needed to succeed at linebacker. He showed it throughout his final season at Ohio State football which included 82 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and an interception.
The testing numbers at the NFL Combine were where styles’ game popped off the page however, including a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash, and a vertical over 43 inches. These are simply not the numbers that are normally expected from a linebacker and are numbers that coaches often have trouble designing a defense around the player they are so unique. It is what makes this a fascinating choice for Washington, however.
Integral Part of Washington’s Defense
This is not just another linebacker, but a chess piece. Styles already showed an ability to cover, rush the passer, and make plays from sideline to sideline. It is the kind of versatility that modern defenses desire in players because of their need to cover mobile quarterbacks and keep up with spread offenses, forcing linebackers into space often.
Washington was undoubtedly looking for a defensive upgrade after the struggles of the past season, and they were able to find an obvious playmaker in this selection who could transform how the entire defense played.
There is also obviously a ton of projection involved here which can be fun, or it can also be scary depending on perspective. Styles is still fairly new to the linebacker position compared to others in his draft class. His instincts will be better, but he is not exactly a finished product.
Styles Has a Huge Growth Ceiling
That said, the ceiling of what Styles could become in this league is extremely high given the physical gifts he possesses. Commander’s head coach Dan Quinn has always shown a desire to build an aggressive and fast defense which Styles clearly fits. Styles gives Washington a defender who could pursue a play from anywhere on the field and make it chaotic without even having to be brought into the play by a scheme.
At #7, Washington was looking to do much more than just make a need pick as they are building for impact in 2026. Styles has all of the ingredients to become an impact player in the NFL, and if they manage to develop him the right way it will be remembered as one of the most puzzling picks in Draft history.
