Grading Commanders' selection of Sonny Styles in 2026 NFL Draft

The Washington Commanders found their new defensive leader on Thursday, selecting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Styles was the No.

3 overall prospect on NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah's list of the top 150 players. Most mock drafts didn't have Styles making it outside of the top five, with Styles frequently mocked No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans , or No.

5 to the New York Giants . Instead, head coach Dan Quinn has a ready-made replacement for future Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Wagner in the middle of Washington's defense. Here's how we graded the pick: Grade: A+ Styles fills Washington's biggest defensive need, replacing Wagner.

He brings elite size (6-foot-5, 244 pounds) and speed (4. 46-second 40-yard dash), with a 43. 5" vertical leap.