The Washington Commanders may have found their defensive cornerstone in former Ohio State star Sonny Styles, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. On Monday Night Football, the prized rookie will face his biggest test yet against the undefeated San Francisco 49ers.
Through the first five weeks of the 2026 NFL season, Styles has been everything the Commanders hoped for and more. He has not only been a catalyst for Washington's defense through the early part of the season, but he also has an NFC Defensive Player of the Week award under his belt for his Week 3 performance against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Can he put together another memorable performance against another NFC West squad?
Going up against a Kyle Shanahan-led San Francisco 49ers offense on MNF Styles will get an opportunity to conquer another big test. For the Commanders to have a chance to upset the undefeated 49ers, they will need their top-10 pick to shine on the big stage.
Why the 49ers present a major test for Sonny Styles
In the Week 3 win against the Seahawks, Styles recorded five total tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, two passes defensed and one quarterback hit. That was against a team with a talented offense, but the 49ers present an even bigger challenge with their balance and versatility.
Against San Francisco, the Commanders' defense as a whole will need to find a way to get to Brock Purdy while limiting Christian McCaffrey in the running game and containing both Mike Evans and George Kittle in the passing game.
It is the challenge of McCaffrey and Kittle that makes this matchup against the 49ers so intriguing.
A safety converted to linebacker in college, Styles has the athleticism and range to drop back in coverage and defend a tight end like Kittle. He also has the sideline-to-sideline range to limit McCaffrey on outside zone runs.
What makes this matchup even more challenging is how Shanahan can use both players to create mismatches. Styles will need to trust his instincts because one wrong read could turn into a big play for San Francisco.
If he is not using his size and speed to contain those two, he can blitz Purdy and help the Commanders' defense make the pocket uncomfortable.
Sonny Styles can strengthen his Defensive Rookie of the Year case
If Styles can make the type of big plays he has made in the early going of his NFL career against such a versatile offense, he will increase his odds of winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and, most importantly, solidify himself as a player to build around defensively.
In going against a balanced offensive attack like the 49ers, it is not solely up to Styles to make a big impact. That is a lot of pressure to put on a rookie, but if he can show that he can influence plays and help disrupt that attack, it will be a boost to his confidence and could increase his defensive responsibilities even more.
By forcing turnovers and showing what he can do in coverage, Styles is already demonstrating at the NFL level what made him a rising defensive prospect prior to the draft.
If he can be a factor and be a reason the Commanders hand the 49ers their first loss of the season, the No. 7 overall pick may start looking more like a steal for Washington.
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