The Washington Commanders have added a dynamic weapon to the defense after drafting linebacker Sonny Styles with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
The revamp of the Washington Commanders defense continues into day one of the draft.
Former Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles has become the seventh overall pick for the Washington Commanders in the 2026 NFL Draft, adding another athletic and potential 'green dot' defender to a front seven. Styles is now paired with former Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal while general manager Adam Peters addressed the edge position with both Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson inking with the team during free agency.
Styles adds athleticism and leadership to the defense with Adam Peters viewing the Buckeyes star as a "future Fred Warner," a sign of what the former 49ers executive believes is added to the Commanders defense in 2026.
A 6-foot-5, 244 pound linebacker with 32.9 inch arms and ten inch hands, Styles played sparingly as a true freshman before becoming a mainstay in the rotation during the 2023 season, finishing with 53 total tackles, a pair of sacks and one forced fumble while becoming an honorable mention all conference selection.
His most productive season came in 2024 when Styles registered his lone 100 tackle season despite just a second team All Big Ten selection in the coaches poll. He also finished second on the team in tackles through Ohio State's national championship run during his junior season.
He ended his career with 83 total tackles, including two double digit tackle games, in 2025 while becoming a consensus All Big Ten selection. While his lone interception in college came during his senior season during a blowout road win against Wisconsin, Styles also ended his tenure with the Buckeyes after being named co-captain as a senior and starting in 41 of his 55 appearances.
The athletic linebacker, who NFL.com pointed to Fred Warner as his comp, tallied 9.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss during his college career as he and Chenal become dynamic pieces in new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones's scheme.
Styles also posted a 4.46 seconds in the 40 yard dash, 11-foot-2 broad jump and 43.5 inch vertical at the NFL Scouting Combine to lead all linebackers in attendance.
While the addition to the defense officially in the fold, what direction the Commanders go with its lone selection on day two is now the question mark with major needs at both wide receiver and cornerback yet just one pick for general manager Adam Peters to use it. Washington entered Thursday's draft with just two top 100 selections.