The Washington Commanders stood pat Thursday night in Pittsburgh, letting the board fall their way before using the No. 7 overall pick to select Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, landing one of the most athletic defenders in the class for a unit that needs immediate help.
Styles, a former five-star recruit, began his college career as a safety before transitioning full-time to linebacker. The move changed his trajectory. He quickly took control of the position, recording 100 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and six sacks during the 2024 season, then following it with All-American honors in 2025 while serving as a central piece of Ohio State’s defense.
He arrives in Washington as an immediate plug-and-play starter for a defense that has lacked athleticism, youth and playmaking ability at linebacker. At 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, Styles brings size that stands out even at the NFL level, but it’s how he moves at that size that separates him. He covers ground quickly, stays balanced in space and reads plays with control. His background in the secondary shows up in coverage and rarely finds himself out of position.
The Commanders struggled at linebacker last season, particularly in space. Missed tackles, slow reaction times and blown coverages showed up throughout the year and contributed to one of the more inconsistent defenses the team has fielded in recent memory. The addition of Styles, along with offseason reinforcement at the position, changes the profile of that group from a weakness to a strength.
Styles is the type of player who won’t come off the field. He has experience in multiple roles, including as a blitzer and in coverage against tight ends and running backs. Ohio State relied on him in all situations, and that usage is expected to carry over. He gives Washington a linebacker who can stay on the field on passing downs without being targeted.
It also allows the rest of the unit to settle into more defined roles. Frankie Luvu can play closer to the line of scrimmage, where his physicality is most effective, while Styles handles space and coverage responsibilities. Alongside Leo Chenal, who also tested near a 9.9 Relative Athletic Score, Washington now has one of its most athletic linebacker groups in years. That level of range and explosiveness should show up quickly between the hashes.
The pick reflects head coach Dan Quinn’s approach to addressing the nightmare from a year ago. Last season’s defensive struggles were not something a coach with Quinn’s background is going to ignore. The focus has been on adding speed and versatility, and Styles fits that direction. If Washington chooses to use him off the edge in certain situations, that flexibility is there.
Styles is projected to step into a starting role this fall. His ability to handle multiple responsibilities allows Washington to simplify rotations, keep its best athletes on the field and improve the overall consistency of the defense.
The Commanders entered the draft with several needs. After one round, one of the biggest has been addressed.
Conor Forrest is the Editor-in-Chief and Senior NFL Insider at SportsJourney.com, where he covers the Washington Commanders and the league at large. A Northern Virginia native and George Mason University graduate, his work has appeared in FanSided, NBC Sports Washington, Heavy.com, and The Fourth Estate. He is also the host of the “After Further Review” podcast, reaching a global audience with his analysis and storytelling.
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