When Sonny Styles was still on the board by the time the Washington Commanders were on the clock with the No. 7 pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, general manager Adam Peters could not believe it. In his eyes, Styles was a top-five lock and someone he did not think would be attainable.
However, after the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to take cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 6, the Commanders quickly scooped up Styles, which Peters called an “easy pick.” Styles’ Ohio State teammate, Arvell Reese, gets all the credit for being a uniquely diverse defensive weapon, but Peters believes he also owns many of those qualities.
“He’s just scratching the surface as a linebacker, and he is already really good,” Peters said, via Commanders.com. “And he is only going to get better… He can play on the ball. He can mug up and blitz. There’s so many different things he can do. He could play MIKE, WILL, SAM, all those different things. He’s got the size to play on the edge, so he’s really versatile.”
By drafting Styles, the Commanders all but confirmed their plans to transform their defensive identity. Washington made a concerted effort to transform its defense after a down year, during which it allowed the third-most rushing yards per game.
In doing so, the Commanders let veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner walk, despite his 162 tackles ranking fifth in the league. They claimed the door would remain open for a potential return, but drafting Styles indicates their plan to move on.
Styles figures to take Wagner’s old role in the center of Dan Quinn’s defense. However, Peters’ comments suggest he could also be used as an edge-rusher, an area Washington also reset by opting not to re-sign leading pass-rusher Von Miller.
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