"At the combine, the Commanders interviewed all 11 Ohio State invitees, and the other 10 all brought up Styles as one of the guys they'd want to bring to the NFL with them. How strong fellow first-rounders Tate, Reese and Downs were on Styles really said to the Commanders that he was very much the guy on the 2025 team. Their meetings with Styles through the process only confirmed that he was the alpha-showing elite football intelligence, knowledge of the scheme inside and out, and an ability to explain not just his role in the way things played out on tape, but his teammates' responsibilities too."
"Peters acknowledged that taking Styles was a no-brainer after he surprisingly dropped out of the top five and into their laps. His size, athleticism, and college production on the biggest stages demanded consideration. After a stroke of good luck, the Commanders now have a potential defensive cornerstone to build around for the next decade."
"This was an important pick for the Commanders, who only had two selections in the top 100, so they had to be sure. There were very few sure things at the top end of this year's draft, but Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated pinpointed what convinced Washington that Styles was one of them."
"It's hard to envisage how Styles could have been more impressive throughout the pre-draft assessment phase. His testing at the NFL Scouting Combine was historic. The impression he "
The Washington Commanders selected former Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Styles had dropped unexpectedly from the top five, and Washington treated the selection as a no-brainer. His size, athleticism, and college production on major stages drove the decision. The Commanders had only two selections in the top 100, so they needed certainty. During pre-draft interviews, every Ohio State prospect Washington met raised Styles as the player they wanted to bring to the NFL. His scheme knowledge, football IQ, and defensive awareness reinforced his leadership profile. His pre-draft evaluation included historic testing at the NFL Scouting Combine.
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