Commanders LB Sonny Styles is a top value from Day 1 of 2026 NFL Draft

From a Next Gen Stats standpoint, Styles' profile is about as clean as it gets. At 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds with 32 7/8-inch arms, Styles ran a 4.46 40 at the scouting combine and became the first participant since 2003 to post a sub-4.5 40, 40-plus-inch vertical and 11-plus-foot broad jump at 230-plus pounds. NGS tracking data added even more context: Styles' 14.39 mph top speed during the short shuttle (4.26 seconds) was the fastest mark by any prospect in Indy since 2023, regardless of position. His 95 overall draft score is the highest by an off-ball linebacker over the last six draft classes, and his 94 athleticism score is the top mark at the position over the last four. He is also one of just two prospects in the 2026 class to clear 90 in all three NGS categories -- production, athleticism and overall score -- making this one of the clearest analytical value picks of Round 1 this year.

What's not to love about Styles? In addition to his ridiculous size and athleticism, Styles has elite instincts and is ascending, despite having played only two years as a linebacker.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Commanders LB Sonny Styles a Day 1 value