Prior to the 2026 NFL Draft, the belief was that the Washington Commanders' front office had zeroed in on wide receiver Carnell Tate as their pick at No. 7 overall. The Ohio State product instead went three slots earlier to the Tennessee Titans, leaving Adam Peters an intriguing dilemma.
Both Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs were available when the Commanders picked, and they chose the former. No one will be disappointed with the choice to select the speedy linebacker, whose measurables are off the charts. But the All-American safety might be the best player in the draft.
It was already a questionable enough decision to pass on Downs, one that could leave Washington mired in regret for years to come. And then he went to the Dallas Cowboys four picks later.
Sonny Styles will be under immense pressure to prove the Commanders made the right decision
If Downs turns into the Pro Football Hall of Fame-level player many believe he will be, it's going to be a tough pill for the Commanders to swallow. But as long as Styles lives up to his billing, the pain will be numbed at least a little bit. And he most certainly can.
Styles is an off-ball linebacker who will provide immediate help to a second level that consists of Frankie Luvu, Jordan Magee, and Leo Chenal. His athleticism gives him an exceptional ceiling at the NFL level, and his versatility should ensure he has a significant role in Washington from the get-go.
The decision to draft Styles represents the culmination of a shift in Washington's defensive philosophy under new coordinator Daronte Jones. Speed is paramount, and the Commanders' newest addition ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash during his historic showing at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Not many draft pundits expected Styles to drop to the Commanders, with many projecting him as a top-five pick. But the selections of Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 and Tate at No. 4 threw a wrench into those plans, as well as the Kansas City Chiefs trading up to draft cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 6. There is no shame in picking a player with his profile.
Of course, all of that and then some could also be said about Downs.
Commanders fans had better hope they made the right call, because if they didn't, the player they passed on will be there to remind them for years to come, wearing their biggest rival's colors.
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