Commanders Pick Ohio State's Sonny Styles No. 7 in 2026 Draft

PITTSBURGH — The Washington Commanders bolstered their struggling defense by selecting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night.

Styles, a 21-year-old standout from the Buckeyes, joins a Commanders unit that ranked 27th in points allowed and 32nd in total yards permitted during the 2025 season, when Washington finished with a 5-12 record. The team, now led by head coach Dan Quinn, has prioritized defensive reinforcements, and Styles emerged as a prime target. Pre-draft reports indicated Quinn viewed him as a top prospect in the class, with league sources noting the fit for Washington's needs in run defense and coverage.

The 6-foot-5, 244-pound Styles began his college career as a safety but transitioned to linebacker in 2024, a move that accelerated his rise. That season, he recorded 100 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, five pass breakups and a forced fumble, helping Ohio State secure a national championship two years ago. As a senior co-captain in 2025, he led the team with 82 tackles, including 46 solo stops, along with 6.5 tackles for loss and an interception. His performance earned...