Commanders selected Ohio State LB Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

24 April 2026

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was reportedly a big fan of Styles. Washington got their man with the seventh overall pick. Styles should be an immediate upgrade for a Commanders defense that allowed the NFL’s second highest EPA per play in 2025. A former safety prospect, Sonny Styles (6’5/243) thrived as an off-ball linebacker in 2025 and immediately became one of the most versatile centerpieces of the Buckeye defense, finishing with 71 tackles, 47 stops, and one forced fumble while earning an 88.5 PFF Defensive Grade across 316 snaps. His efficiency in space stood out, posting a 91.6 Tackling Grade with only 2 missed tackles (2.2%), and he added disruptive flashes as a rusher with 15 total pressures, 2 sacks, and a 69.5 Pass Rush Grade despite rushing only 50 times the year prior. In coverage, Styles was quite efficient, on 34 targets he allowed just 29 receptions for 183 yards (6.3 Y/Rec) with a 86.9 PFF Coverage Grade, forcing 1 INT and 3 PBUs while holding opposing QBs to a 0 TD / 1 INT line and an 86.6 NFL passer rating. His play recognition showed up in early-down efficiency metrics as he ranked near the top of the Buckeyes in run defense grade (87.4) and in total Havoc plays (12), pairing both stop production and positive play rate. He then proceeded to record one of the most impressive Combine performances in history with a near perfect 9.99 RAS. The full statistical profile—elite tackling, strong run fits, low-volume yet effective pressure, and above-average coverage acumen solidified Styles as one of college football’s most well-rounded modern “moneybackers” and a tantalizing hybrid NFL projection entering 2026.