The Washington Commanders got their blue-chip prospect in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and it's Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
The Commanders took Styles with the No. 7 overall pick, and he'll bring speed and agility to a defensive unit that desperately needed it last year. Adam Peters has seen how Super Bowl-winning defenses such as the Seattle Seahawks in 2025 and the Philadelphia Eagles the year before were able to fly around the field, and he has taken notice.
Of course, Styles' measurables are one thing. Actually translating them to production on the gridiron is another. And that's where fans might be raising a few eyebrows about the type of player they're getting.
Commanders' betting on Sonny Styles' upside, which is a calculated risk worth taking
Kevin Sheehan of The Team 980 points out the uncomfortable part of the conversation surrounding Styles. He has all of the physical tools, but he is somewhat of a project. Of course, that could be both a positive and a negative.
"I like Sonny Styles. I think he was a big-time producer on the field (in college), and at 21 has a lot of room to grow... both physically, mentally, and certainly from a performance standpoint, not to mention it fills a huge need."
Kevin Sheehan really likes the Commanders picking Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7 overall and how he still has "a lot of room to grow" pic.twitter.com/qJapHOZjvd
— The Team 980 (@team980) April 28, 2026
For Styles, the fact that he's already as good as he is should inspire confidence in every Commanders fan. He didn't just get drafted where he did because of a historic NFL Scouting Combine performance. He got drafted because he was a first-team All-American who does it all from the defensive second level.
Styles can rush the passer. He can drop back into coverage. He can beat his matchups, and he can make plays on the ball.
Perhaps above all else, scouts have raved about his football IQ. The way he sees the field and communicates with his teammates makes Styles the type of defensive quarterback who can enhance and inspire everyone around him.
There's always a good reason to be wary of prospects who are touted for their measurables first and production second. Oftentimes, people forget that having freakish size or athleticism doesn't make you skilled at playing football. If it did, then Anthony Richardson Sr. would be competing for NFL MVP awards.
Styles is not one of those. He is a great athlete, who also happens to be greatly athletic. And he's the perfect fit for Washington.
It's not a guarantee that he'll immediately hit the ground running, but whether now or later, the Commanders are ultimately going to be lucky to have Styles.
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