The Washington Commanders selected Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the 7th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Styles is noted for his exceptional athleticism and versatility on defense.
Key points
Washington Commanders selected Sonny Styles with the 7th overall pick
Styles is an inside linebacker from Ohio State
He scored a 10.00 RAS, ranking first among linebackers
Styles was a team captain and earned All-American honors
He is expected to significantly impact the Commanders' defense
Mentioned in this story
Ohio State
Sonny StylesWashington Commanders
With the 7th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Adam Peters select Ohio State inside linebacker Sonny Styles. So what exactly is Washington getting with the uber-athletic Buckeye?
Tyler’s Take:
If there was a single player in this draft that checks almost EVERY box that Peter’s looks for in a top draft pick, it’s Sonny Styles.
Here is what I said about Styles in my Adam Peter’s Draft Tells article.
**Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State**
Besides not participating in the Senior Bowl (and I’m sure it was not for a lack of an invite), Sonny Styles checks off every other box on this list. He is an athletic freak who got better each year at Ohio State after switching from safety to inside linebacker heading into his junior year. He was a team captain who called the defense in 2025 for Matt Patricia, garnering All-American honors along the way. He has met multiple times with the Commanders including a top 30 visit.
Sonny Styles is a LB prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored an unofficial 10.00 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1 out of 3215 LB from 1987 to 2026.
Splits projected, all times unofficial, agilities left, bench tmrw, but 10.00 RAS watch is officially on!… pic.twitter.com/f2JFhymsXH
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) February 27, 2026
With Styles, Washington is getting an immediate contributor in the front seven who can impact every level of the field and wear the green dot. With his rare blend of size, speed and instincts, he may be the best overall 0ff-the-ball linebacker prospect the NFL has seen in over a decade!
What could the Commanders do with Sonny Styles?
-Green Dot MIKE
-Situational SAM in an under front
-Run-and-hit WILL
-TE eraser
-QB Spy
-High-Hole trigger man
-Green-Dog blitzer
-Cover RBs out of backfield
-Crosser equalizer
-Outside run neutralizer
-Screen game disruptor pic.twitter.com/O3XdYxyzJE
Q&A
What position does Sonny Styles play?
Sonny Styles plays as an inside linebacker.
How did Sonny Styles perform at Ohio State?
Sonny Styles garnered All-American honors and was a team captain, showing significant improvement after switching from safety to linebacker.
What are Sonny Styles' notable athletic achievements?
He scored an unofficial 10.00 RAS, ranking first among linebackers from 1987 to 2026.
What impact can Sonny Styles have on the Commanders' defense?
Styles is expected to be an immediate contributor, capable of playing multiple roles and impacting various levels of the defense.
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— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) April 10, 2026
**Positionless Football:**
Imagine playing “Positionless” situational football with Sonny Styles?
-1st down: Styles and Magee as ILBs, Chenal walked down to the LOS as a SAM (the under front)
-2nd and 7-8: Chenal and Magee as ILBs, Styles over TE as a off-ball SAM
-3rd and long: Magee and Chenal as ILBs… pic.twitter.com/WYmEvCH50N
— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) March 29, 2026
**What stand out about Styles’ play:**
Went back to watch more film on Sonny Styles. Two things that keep standing out to me for a man who is 6’5” 245
– Has very good hips and change-of-direction skills – no issues in coverage
– Does a really nice job lowering his pad level when taking on blocks at point of attack
— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) February 27, 2026
**The Commanders Tag:**
Sonny Styles definitely getting that Commander Tag
— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) March 31, 2026
**Styles impact on this new defense:**
Sonny Styles has officially moved into my top 4 prospects for Washington.
He can have a Nick Emmanwori type impact on a defense.
I can only imagine what Daronte Jones could do with this beast!
He can play as an off-the-ball LB, he can walk up and blitz he can cover TEs…
— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) February 27, 2026
**Styles is a Dan Quinn type player…**
DQ talking about the new additions up front for the Commanders this offseason:
“Line people up in different locations to go attack.”
Sound like Sonny Styles would fit in nicely…🤔
— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) March 29, 2026
From the Dan Quinn interview with The Insiders on @NFLNetwork in Arizona – Quinn was asked about that hybrid LB/S he used both in Atlanta and Dallas.
His eyes lit up!!!
Sonny Styles gotta be on Washington’s board
— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) March 31, 2026
**When Washington was on the clock**
Styles SHOULD be the pick. Won’t hate Downs either
