The Washington Commanders might be on the verge of making history again. Could Sonny Styles become the third player in seven seasons to bring home an NFL Rookie of the Year award for the franchise?
It's a tradition that's gaining momentum. In 2020, defensive end Chase Young dominated with 7.5 sacks to claim Defensive Rookie of the Year. Then, in 2024, quarterback Jayden Daniels delivered one of the most remarkable rookie campaigns in professional sports history, leading the Commanders to a 12-5 record and an NFC Championship Game appearance on his way to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Now, all eyes are on linebacker Sonny Styles to keep the streak alive.
Drafted seventh overall out of Ohio State, Styles is still relatively new to the linebacker position—he's only played it for two seasons. Yet, that didn't stop him from earning first-team All-American honors in 2025. Most draft analysts considered him a consensus top-five talent in the 2026 class, but he surprisingly fell to Washington, who jumped at the opportunity.
This year's draft was loaded with defensive standouts, including Styles' former Ohio State teammates Caleb Downs (Cowboys) and Arvell Reese (Giants), along with David Bailey (Jets) and Mansoor Delane (Chiefs). So, what are Styles' actual chances of becoming the next Washington rookie of the year?
ESPN's Ben Solak certainly thinks they're strong. He named Styles among his top five favorites for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. The challenge, however, is stepping into the shoes of Bobby Wagner, a tackling machine for the Commanders. But Styles brings a unique skill set to the table. With a background in defensive back and a rare frame—standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 243 pounds—he's built to make more plays in the passing game than your average linebacker.
The key question is whether Styles will see 100% of the snaps in Week 1. With Frankie Luvu and Leo Chenal also on the depth chart, his playing time could define just how strong his candidacy becomes. But if he stays healthy and on the field, the blend of tackle production and pass coverage ability might be too compelling for voters to overlook.
Washington's defense will need him to step up, and if he does, Styles is a legitimate contender to bring home the hardware.