The speculation is over: with the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders selected Ohio State LB Sonny Styles.
The pick was announced by Commissioner Goodell while flanked by Pittsburgh legends Lynn Swann and Jerome Bettis, helping celebrate Bobby Wagner as the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award (an award both Bettis and Swann have also won).
Styles was a Second-Team AP All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten after notching a team high 82 tackles (6.5 for loss) with one sack, one INT, one forced fumble, and three pass breakups.
“I love the game, I love the brotherhood, I’m excited to be part of this organization with Coach Quinn, Adam Peters and the crew,” Styles said to ESPN right after his selection. “When I was there a few weeks ago, I told Coach Quinn ‘I hope to see you soon,’ and this is just the beginning.”
With Wagner currently unsigned and in free agency, Styles’ selection could mean that he will become the green dot in the middle of a Commanders defense that also added Leo Chenal alongside of him at LB and beefed up its pass rush in free agency as well.
