Washington Commanders target Sonny Styles No. 7? ESPN Pete Schrager's insider info points to a defensive playmaker from Ohio State, drawing comparisons to an NFL star.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to be well represented in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Linebacker/edge Avrell Reese will likely be the first Buckeyes player taken off the board. Whether the New York Jets take him at No. 2 or the Arizona Cardinals draft him at No. 3 remains to be seen.
Wide receiver Carnell Tate and safety Caleb Downs should be taken early on Day 1, while defensive tackle Kayden McDonald will likely be taken towards the end of the first round.
Linebacker Sonny Styles received a lot of buzz from people in side the NFL during the scouting combine in February and March, and it appears he has a good chance to go inside the top 10.
ESPN's Peter Schrager recently released a mock draft based on info he received during the league's annual meeting last week. Schrager has Styles going to the Washington Commanders with the No. 7 pick.
"I believe Washington is going to go defense; it gave up 6.0 yards per play in 2025, tied for third worst," Schrager wrote. "Styles shows a lot of the same traits that Fred Warner has displayed in San Francisco, and GM Adam Peters -- who came from San Francisco -- knows what Warner has meant for the 49ers all these years.
"Styles had 77 tackles as a sideline-to-sideline defender last season and then lit up the combine with a smooth 4.46 in the 40-yard dash and a 43½-inch vertical jump. I like this fit."
The Commanders are expected to have a pivotal year three under head coach Dan Quinn, known for being a defensive minded leader. Washington made it to the NFC championship in 2024, but regressed last season amid injuries to quarterback Jaden Daniels.
Quinn made the decision to revamp his staff before the 2026 campaign. The No. 7 pick will be important for the Commanders to hit, because they need to find a starter for Week 1 with the selection.
Styles would be a solid contributor for the Commanders with the No. 7 pick. He certainly has the traits to develop into a Pro Bowl player at linebacker.