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Sonny Styles shares a behind-the-scenes look at his experience during the 2026 NFL Draft, which set a new attendance record of 805,000 in Pittsburgh. The draft showcased various players' personalities and preparations leading up to the event.
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The NFL draft is always a spectacle. It doesn't matter where it's held. From 1965 to 2014, the draft was held in New York City, but in 2015, the NFL began rotating the location each year. In 2026, the draft was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it set a new attendance record of 805,000 visitors over three days, surpassing Detroit's previous record of 775,000.
The spectacle of the draft isn't for everyone. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza knew without a shadow of a doubt that he would be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, yet he chose to stay at home and celebrate the night with as many of the people he cared about as he could. Other players, like Washington Commanders rookie Sonny Styles, chose to soak up the limelight. Styles and Bleacher Report took fans behind the scenes on draft day, starting hours ahead of the draft and culminating with "the call" that came at No. 7.
Styles starts the recording in his own hotel room, and cameras follow him as he moves to another suite where he, his family, and his team are app preparing for the day ahead. They tightened up their hair, applied makeup, Styles explained the photos he had sewn into his suit jacket, and his stylist set up the entire crew for success before they hit the red carpet.
At the actual draft, Styles and other players, including Ohio State teammates Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, Carnell Tate, and Kayden McDonald, as well as Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and others, all conversed in the green room. They joked, they laughed, Styles poked fun at Matt Patricia's tennis shoes with a suit look, and each player wore their nerves differently.
Styles prefers to joke and laugh, while Caleb Downs doesn't say much, and Carnell Tate just looks nervous. As the draft begins, the players move to their respective areas of the green room to await their calls. Styles watches as Mendoza is first off the board, and then David Bailey. Third was Jeremiyah Love in somewhat of a surprise move by the Arizona Cardinals, and fourth was Carnell Tate, the first Buckeye off the board.
At five, Arvell Reese is selected by the Giants, then the Kansas City Chiefs trade up to select Mansoor Delane. Never mind that earlier in the day, Styles predicted he would get selected by the Commanders; his face showed the increasing anxiety about when his phone would ring. At seven, just when he predicted, his phone rang. He showed it to a member of his team, who told him to answer it.
The 2026 NFL Draft set a new attendance record of 805,000 visitors over three days.
Fernando Mendoza opted to stay at home to celebrate with his loved ones, despite being confident he would be the No. 1 overall pick.
Sonny Styles was joined by Ohio State teammates Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, Carnell Tate, and Kayden McDonald, as well as Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
Before the draft, Sonny Styles and his team prepared by tightening their hair, applying makeup, and discussing the photos sewn into his suit jacket.

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"Hello?"
"Sonny," a voice says. "Sonny, can you hear me?"
"Yes, sir," Styles replies.
"Sonny, Adam Peters with the Commanders, how are you doing, bud?"
"I'm doing good, Mr. Peters, how are you doing?"
"I'm doing great man, (Styles is in tears already) we were hoping you'd fall to us. And you did, man. We're going to make you this pick at pick seven, and I couldn't be more excited. You are everything we embody in a Commander."
Styles' tears can be heard as Peters continues to talk, and then Peters passes the phone to Dan Quinn, but you'll have to watch the video to see what he says. All good things, but, you know DQ, it's colorful. The bottom line is that Quinn says he is excited to coach Styles.
Once the pick is announced, the celebration begins. Styles is a Commander, and he's excited to Raise Hail.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles behind the scenes on draft day