Commanders found their 'alpha' in Sonny Styles

Any concerns that Washington may have had about Styles transitioning to the NFL were alleviated by Patricia. Styles' lone season playing for Patricia was an audition of sorts for the NFL. As Breer pointed out, Washington's new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones, plans on employing a scheme similar to what Brian Flores runs in Minnesota. Flores has close ties with Patricia.

There were no on-field concerns with Styles. Not only was his tape phenomenal, but his NFL combine workout was legendary. Next, it was learning more about Styles as a person. On a defense full of studs, where was Styles in the pecking order? According to 10 of Styles' college teammates Washington interviewed at the combine, he was "the guy."

At the combine, the Commanders interviewed all 11 Ohio State invitees, and the other 10 all brought up Styles as one of the guys they’d want to bring to the NFL with them. How strong fellow first-rounders Tate, Reese and Downs were on Styles really said to the Commanders that he was very much the guy on the 2025 team.

Breer then indicated that when the Commanders brought Styles in for the top-30 visit, with several other players in attendance, he stood out. Why? He mingled with coaches, scouts and support staff, especially linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. Styles was engaged, asking questions in what Breer termed as an effort to "get better."

You can see why the Commanders considered Styles almost a perfect prospect. One more detail, though. He used one word to describe Styles.

Their meetings with Styles through the process only confirmed that he was the alpha—showing elite football intelligence, knowledge of the scheme inside and out, and an ability to explain not just his role in the way things played out on tape, but his teammates’ responsibilities too.

Alpha. That's what you want your leaders to be. Even at 21, Styles is a natural leader. He doesn't need to come in and force it; he'll earn his teammates' trust and respect almost immediately, just like he did at Ohio State.

Regardless of what you heard, Washington got its guy in Styles.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles was the perfect prospect