Commanders' Sonny Styles plays Knockout for best NFL linebacker ever

The Washington Commanders' defense has a whole new look in 2026. General manager Adam Peters made some moves in free agency to help bolster the defensive line and set the edge, but perhaps the best thing he did was draft Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Styles is an incredibly versatile player who has a nose for finding the ball. He is a solid tackler, can break up passes, and has the ability to sniff out a play with quickness. Originally a safety, once Ohio State realized his frame and athleticism were better suited closer to the box, they moved him into the linebacker position. Styles never faltered, despite still learning the ins and outs of being an elite linebacker.

Learning the position doesn't have any bearing on his knowledge of past players, though. Styles played Knockout with Daily Mail Sports this week to determine the greatest NFL linebacker of all time, and it's clear he knows his history.

First up: Ray Lewis or Junior Seau? Styles chose Lewis. Next was Dick Butkus or Derrick Brooks: Butkus was the answer. Then Brian Urlacher or Bobby Wagner: Urlacher. Luke Kuechly or Mike Singletary? Styles struggled with this one, "I'm gonna say Luke Kuechly. Some people might be mad about that, but that's my generation."

Final four: Brian Urlacher or Luke Kuechly? Kuechly was the pick. Ray Lewis or Dick Butkus? "I gotta say Ray Lewis, I know more about Ray Lewis, I just don't know enough about Butkus." As the host goes to move on, Styles switches it up, "Actually, I gotta say, Butkus." (This would not have been an easy choice for most people!) So, now we're at Butkus and Kuechly.

Final round: Dick Butkus or Luke Kuechly? Butkus was the final answer as to who Styles believes is the greatest linebacker of all time.

Now, some of us are going to disagree with some of his choices. Butkus was a pioneer; he set the tone for what a linebacker should look like and how he should perform on the field. Ray Lewis took that foundation to a whole new level, one that very few have reached. Those of us who are older cringed at picking Kuechly over Urlacher, but landing on Butkus at the end was probably the least controversial thing he could have done.