Commanders LB Sonny Styles earns glowing reviews in first NFL practice

It's hard to get excited about players during an NFL rookie minicamp. There are no veterans on the field competing with the rookies, and there's also no contact. However, impressions can be made, and for the Washington Commanders and linebacker Sonny Styles, it was a phenomenal first impression.

Styles signed his rookie contract on Friday morning, met with the media and then hit the practice field for the first time as an NFL player. At 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds with the speed of a defensive back, Styles looks the part. All eyes were on him Friday as he donned the burgundy and gold for the first time.

He made the quite the impression.

Zach Selby of commanders.com offered the following evaluation for Styles' first NFL practice.

"Styles stood out among Washington's defensive players, both physically and from a performance standpoint," Selby wrote. "He was easy to spot with his 6-foot-5, 244-pound frame, and he was around the ball on almost every play. He's already showing his ability to quickly identify and pursue ball carriers, and he was often the first to make a play. On the third play of the first 11-on-11 session, Styles cut under a block and got to Kaytron Allen for what would have been a tackle for a minimal gain."

Selby wasn't the only one to offer a glowing review.

Former NFL star wide receiver saw a video of Styles in practice. He was impressed.

Styles is supposed to stand out in rookie minicamp. Still, seeing his size and speed on the field in the middle of Washington's defense is an impressive sight.

Head coach Dan Quinn said there is "no limit" to what Styles can do. It will be interesting to see Styles on the field with all of his teammates later this month when Washington begins OTAs before wrapping up the offseason with the mandatory minicamp next month.