NFL world reacts to Commanders selecting LB Sonny Styles in NFL draft

TL;DR

The Washington Commanders selected linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, aiming to enhance their defense. Styles, an All-American from Ohio State, was praised for his athleticism and potential impact on the team.

Key points

Sonny Styles was selected by the Washington Commanders.
He was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Styles is an All-American linebacker from Ohio State.
The selection was praised by NFL analysts.
Washington aimed to improve their defense with this pick.

Sonny StylesOhio StateWashington CommandersTennessee Titans

Sonny Styles is a Washington Commander. With the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Commanders selected the Ohio State All-American linebacker to lead a completely revamped defense. Most mock drafts had Styles off the board at either No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans or No. 5 to the New York Giants. However, once Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love went No. 3 to Arizona, the Titans selected wide receiver Carnell Tate, leaving the Giants to add linebacker Arvell Reese. While Washington reportedly wanted to trade down and acquire more picks ahead of the draft, Styles was unexpectedly there, making the decision easy for GM Adam Peters. The move to add Styles was widely praised by draft analysts. Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network had Styles as his No. 3-ranked player. How did Washington fans react to the move? Well, while you can't make everyone happy, most Commanders fans loved the move. Here are some of those reactions.

The Commanders defense is about to be so fast.

Thank you, Tennessee Titans.

— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) April 24, 2026 Duo of Sonny Styles and Leo Chenal are going to open some eyes in DC.

Throw in the versatility of Frankie Luvu & and speed of Jordan Magee and Washington has quickly found themselves with a whole lot of pop at the second level.

— Ryan Fowler (@\RyanFowler\) April 24, 2026 How ironic to honor Bobby Wagner and then announce the Commanders have drafted his likely replacement in Sonny Styles

— Resh (@reshmanuel) April 24, 2026 #Commanders new LB Sonny Styles is an absolute FREAK pic.twitter.com/QBAQVT8tbM

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