Washington Commanders rookie linebacker Sonny Styles is one of the most intriguing first-year defenders to watch during training camp, the preseason and the 2026 NFL season. Selected with the No. 7 overall pick in the NFL draft, the former Ohio State star enters the NFL with high expectations and one challenge ahead.
That one challenge? Can Styles live up to the expectations that came with being the No. 7 overall pick. If he does, can he help transform the Commanders’ defense looking for game-changing playmakers and a defense that can set the tone in the NFC East.
Sonny Styles has the traits of a modern NFL linebacker
Styles possesses the prototype NFL frame at 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, but it's his rare athleticism that separates him from most off-ball linebackers. After transitioning from safety to linebacker under Matt Patricia at Ohio State, he enters the NFL with a skill set few rookies possess. Both the coaching staff and his teammates have high expectations for him, and he sets the bar high for himself as well.
"Yeah, I think the expectations I have for myself are already high enough so anyone else's expectations can't exceed those,” Styles said prior to training camp. “So, I think when you look at it like that, it's like why would you feel pressure for anyone else? If you have high expectations for yourself and you're always attacking and striving to get better, the outside world, what they think or expect of you doesn't really phase you."
While teammates Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs generated much of the pre-draft attention during the 2025 season, Styles steadily elevated his own stock through his versatility, toughness and relentless style of play. That late surge showcased the work ethic and competitive edge that now has Dan Quinn excited about his future in Washington.
Dan Quinn already sees Sonny Styles' potential
"Yeah, I'd say he has hit all the marks that you can hit at this time of year,
Quinn said. “The knowledge, the intensity to go for it. What we haven't seen and we will, like the blitz ability and you know, making plays on the ball with the speed and length, but man, are we pumped with him. I couldn't think of a better person than Kenny [Linebackers Coach Ken Norton Jr.] to help develop him, not missing one step of his development. So, he has absolutely nailed all the markers up to now and we'll kind of continue that as we get into training camp, but he's off to a hell of a start."
To sum it all up, Styles has the DNA of a defensive star in the NFL. The question is not whether Styles will make an impact Year 1, it's more about how he will continue to grow in his position and how quickly he can become the centerpiece of a Commanders’ defense. The expectations are high for a 21-year-old player just coming into his own, but the ceiling is not too high for him to reach, especially if he finds a way to blend his coverage attributes as a former safety with the power and speed that could make him an elite blitzer from the second level of defense.
In all, the Commanders believe they found the centerpiece of their defense with the No. 7 overall pick. If Styles' development continues on its current path, the rest of the NFL won't need long to discover why his defensive DNA feels different from that of most rookies.
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