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Sonny Styles Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Sonny Styles
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Overview​

Styles began his Ohio State career as a safety, but he settled in at linebacker in 2024. He’s improved in diagnosing play development. The former Buckeye diffuses block attempts with crisp hand strikes and leverages run fits with force/anchor strength. There are times when he slips back into a containment-based approach, but he has plenty of short-area quickness and pursuit speed to get where he needs to go. He can make an impact from multiple spots on the field and is a plus man-cover talent. Styles is an emerging player with the traits and versatility to garner longer looks by NFL evaluators. He could see his stock soar leading up to draft day.

Strengths​

  • Lines up the defensive front and makes adjustments if needed.
  • Disciplined in sifting through pre- and post-snap eye candy.
  • Pops and separates from climbing blockers with a crisp punch.
  • Constricts run fits by using size, force and technique.
  • Scrapes quickly to the action without losing leverage.
  • Impressive talent for slipping through traffic and into tackles.
  • Versatility/athleticism can be weaponized for coverage disguise.
  • Gains depth and widens to the flats with above-average quickness.
  • Impeccable tackle finisher.

Weaknesses​

  • Recognition of blocking schemes needs more work.
  • Can afford to crank up the urgency at times.
  • Slow to reaccelerate on stop/start movements in pursuit.
  • Tight hips prevent fluid change of direction from downhill flow.
  • Inconsistent shading zone drops to quarterback’s eyes.
  • Average instincts and physicality as a blitzer.

In a division where the Commanders have to face-off against dynamic quarterbacks in Jalen Hurts and Jaxson Dart, it will help to have a rangy linebacker like Styles to chase them down. This is a great pick for Washington, which lands one of the most athletic defenders the draft has ever seen. Styles is an instinctive linebacker with top-tier tackling skills, and he offers some untapped upside as a situational pass rusher as well. He can be the type of player the Commanders can build their defense round.
Shades of Devin Lloyd
Rangy and versatile linebacker who brings sideline-to-sideline speed and incredible reliability as a tackler.

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2026 NFL Draft grades, tracker: Rams earn high mark with selection of Ty Simpson

Mike Renner grades the first 32 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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7. Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio St.​

Grade: A​

One of the least athletic front-sevens in the NFL a season ago completes their makeover with one of the most athletic linebackers in draft history. His ability to cover ground in coverage at his size is nothing short of special. He'll allow Dan Quinn so much flexibility on the defensive side of the ball.

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2026 NFL Draft Grades: Analysis for Every First-Round Pick

PFF grades every pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. From Fernando Mendoza to Jadarian Price, see the full analysis. Unlock the data.
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7. Washington Commanders: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State​

Pick Grade: Very Good

Styles had an excellent season at Ohio State, earning 85.0-plus grades as both a run defender and coverage defender, and then he tested the way he did at the combine. The positional value argument will come up with Styles, but he has the potential to quickly become one of the better players at the position in the NFL. It’s a much-needed infusion of talent for a Commanders defense that ranked 31st in EPA allowed per play last season.
 
I think there were only a few freak athlete with elite potential and great college production in this draft. There was Jeremiah Love, Sonny Styles, and Arvell Reese. Love would have been a no brainer. Reese is a bit of a risk as he feels a little positionless. Maybe he's a Micah Parsons, but he also could be a tweener that doesn't find his place. Sonny Styles is a freak, but he's also a freak who was damn good at what he was asked to do. He was strong as a safety and great as a linebacker. Apparently, he's not only fast, but diagnosises plays well and is a student of the game. We have needed for twenty years someone who can cover a running back in the flat or an athletic tight end. He should be our green dot and he can become great.

He's still a rookie. He's still an unknown. Like KDawg says, he probably needs a rugby coach to teach him how to hit with more force, but for those of saying we need more players on this team with elite potential. We got one.
 
Great kid, great athlete, great leader and incredible intteangilbes. I hope DQ and his nice guy approach along with Jones can stir up a little more badass in him on the field
 
Was reading some comments and someone pointed out that we got another Sonny on the team. There is a cool randomness to this team drafting a Sonny the year we lost Jurgenson. Of course, Jurgenson played a different position, was traded to us, and was a HOFer, but poetically it's nice.
 
skinsinparadise said:
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This sort of thing really makes me want to be wrong about Quinn. Man, if we can figure this thing out, start hitting on non-1st round draft picks at a higher rate and find some gems, invest more in the offense and Jayden…these guys could do something special even if it’s not how I’d plan it in a vacuum. Daronte Jones especially as DC, he’s old enough getting his first shot that you might not lose him to a HC gig even if he kills it here. Blough is another thing entirely, but he’s young enough that you hope to get a few years in before it’s a problem IF he’s a stud as well. And maybe by then, Jayden is the classic veteran QB who relies less on his OC to succeed and HE becomes the system. Like a Manning or Brady or Rodgers.

Wrong thread for all that, but seeing the rep Quinn & Co. have with players, like Styles here, really makes me want to envision ways it can all work long term.
 
I think one area where Styles may fall short of all the hype is as a blitzer/sack man.
 
Definitely a 🍆🍆🍆🍆🍆 on the Penix scale
 
Conn said:
This sort of thing really makes me want to be wrong about Quinn. Man, if we can figure this thing out, start hitting on non-1st round draft picks at a higher rate and find some gems, invest more in the offense and Jayden…these guys could do something special even if it’s not how I’d plan it in a vacuum. Daronte Jones especially as DC, he’s old enough getting his first shot that you might not lose him to a HC gig even if he kills it here. Blough is another thing entirely, but he’s young enough that you hope to get a few years in before it’s a problem IF he’s a stud as well. And maybe by then, Jayden is the classic veteran QB who relies less on his OC to succeed and HE becomes the system. Like a Manning or Brady or Rodgers.

Wrong thread for all that, but seeing the rep Quinn & Co. have with players, like Styles here, really makes me want to envision ways it can all work long term.
Click to expand...

Players like Quinn, no doubt about that. Vibes have been good during his tenure, hopefully we can get back to form on the field this year.
 
Press conference is live:



First impressions, he comes across as smart, humble, and professional. He is articulate and answers every question well.

I’m liking this pick more and more. Just listening to him, looking at his great combine and highlights, what an impressive young man. Can’t wait to see him on the field.
 
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