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Commanders LB Sonny Styles is 'ridiculous,' says respected NFL voice
TL;DR
The Washington Commanders selected linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Analyst Greg Cosell praised Styles' impressive athleticism and growth since transitioning from safety to linebacker.
Key points
- Sonny Styles was selected by the Washington Commanders with the No. 7 pick.
- He transitioned from safety to linebacker during his college career.
- Greg Cosell praised his athletic performance at the combine.
Mentioned in this story
Ohio State
Washington CommandersSonny Styles
The Washington Commanders didn't waste much time when they were on the clock at the 2026 NFL Draft. It was the No. 7 overall pick, and the first of only six total picks in the draft. General manager Adam Peters had to make the right choice; he didn't get another pick until round three. When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles was the pick, the entirety of Raise Hail Nation let out a collective breath, followed by a thrilled shout of excitement.
Styles is not your typical linebacker in many ways, which is what drew criticism to the young player. He started college as a safety and then switched to linebacker, giving some coaches and executives pause on drafting him, but longtime respected NFL analyst Greg Cosell has words for anyone talking down the Commanders' first-round draft pick.
"His athletic testing was kind of ridiculous. I mean, the guy is 6'5, 244 (pounds) at the combine. Ran a 4.46, had a 43.5" vertical, and an 11'2 broad (jump). Top four going back nearly 30 years at the Combine," Cosell begins. "And you have to remember one thing, guys, he's only played stack backer for two years. He went to Ohio State as a safety and, I mean, he got better.
"I watched him last summer, and after I watched him, I reached out to a good friend of mine who's a scout and does the Big 10. I said, "Hey, I just watched Sonny Styles, and this guy is ridiculous." And the scout said to me, "Oh yeah, yeah, he sure is." So then, of course, I watched him this year, and I thought he was even better, because you just saw the comfort level was better."
Cosell goes on to remind listeners that Styles played in a Matt Patricia defense, so he's already played for an NFL coach and understands NFL expectations. The Fred Warner comparisons are the most accurate, but as Cosell points out, Styles is significantly bigger than Warner, who was big for his position already. And as he's improved as a linebacker, it's become clear how well he will fit in Dan Quinn's scheme.
Q&A
What are Sonny Styles' physical stats and combine performance?
Sonny Styles is 6'5 and weighs 244 pounds, having run a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, achieved a 43.5-inch vertical jump, and an 11'2 broad jump at the combine.
Why did some executives hesitate to draft Sonny Styles?
Some coaches and executives were concerned about Styles' transition from safety to linebacker, as he had only played the position for two years.
Who is Greg Cosell and what did he say about Sonny Styles?
Greg Cosell is a respected NFL analyst who described Sonny Styles as 'ridiculous' due to his exceptional athletic testing and improvement as a linebacker.
