The Washington Commanders had linebacker Sonny Styles on their radar from a long way out. Not just during the pre-draft process, but years before.
And one NFL insider lifted the lid on how Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia's relationship with general manager Adam Peters tipped the scales even further in Styles' favor.
Though the Commanders were clearly enamored with Styles, they didn't hold out much hope that the second-level enforcer would be available when they went on the clock at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Fortune favored them at the best possible time, and Peters admitted that it didn't take long for Washington to turn in its card.
This wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment decision. It was the culmination of months of researching everything about Styles. From his on-field production, football IQ, exceptional athleticism, and mindset, the player ticked every box.
Matt Patricia helped convice Commanders that Sonny Styles was their guy
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Patricia played a key role in convincing the Commanders. He knows Peters well from their time together on the New England Patriots. They spoke for months about the fit, the person, and the player Styles could become within Daronte Jones' schematic concepts.
And it resonated deeply.
"[Adam] Peters and Ohio State DC Matt Patricia were coworkers two decades ago in New England, and they talked a lot over the past few months, and Patricia told the GM what an incredible communicator, teammate, and person [Sonny] Styles was.
"Patricia’s pro-style scheme also gave Quinn and new DC Daronte Jones (who worked under ex-Patricia colleague Brian Flores in Minnesota) a real look on tape at how Styles would fit into an NFL defense."
This wasn't the tipping point, and the Commanders needed a lot of luck. But couple this with the glowing references of teammates, the trajectory for further growth, and how well he fits into Washington's culture, and taking Styles when he was still on the board became a no-brainer.
Styles is the highest off-ball linebacker taken since Isaiah Simmons went No. 8 overall to the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. Arvell Reese might start there, but the New York Giants see him as a do-it-all defensive weapon who could spend equally as much time on the edge. It's not considered the most valuable position, but it's integral to the Commanders' defense.
And with no Bobby Wagner around anymore, the decision was straightforward.
It also wasn't considered the strongest draft at the top end, so positional value went out of the window. Peters took the best available, which was Styles. And if everything goes well, this could be a franchise cornerstone to build the defense around for the next decade.
That would be a win-win for everybody.
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