The Washington Commanders found their new defensive leader on Thursday, selecting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Styles was the No. 3 overall prospect on NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah's list of the top 150 players. Most mock drafts didn't have Styles making it outside of the top five, with Styles frequently mocked No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans, or No. 5 to the New York Giants.
Instead, head coach Dan Quinn has a ready-made replacement for future Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Wagner in the middle of Washington's defense.
Styles fills Washington's biggest defensive need, replacing Wagner. He brings elite size (6-foot-5, 244 pounds) and speed (4.46-second 40-yard dash), with a 43.5" vertical leap. A former safety, Styles transitioned to linebacker during his college career and never missed a beat. As the son of former Ohio State and NFL linebacker Lorenzo Styles, Sonny showed he also possesses the instincts and physicality to play inside linebacker in the NFL.
Former NFL offensive lineman and current analyst Brian Baldinger offered the following on Styles.
.@Commanders @OhioStateFB @sonnystyles_ Sonny is the new MIKE lber...the Commanders found their new Commander. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/vLGxZbQYdB
Styles not only fills a significant need, but also makes Washington's defense younger and faster, a point of emphasis for GM Adam Peters this offseason. The value was there for the Commanders as well. The best part about Styles is that he's only scratched the surface of his potential.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Grading Commanders' selection of LB Sonny Styles