The Commanders took a swing at No. 7 overall that plenty of teams wouldn’t even consider.
Off-ball linebacker isn’t usually where top-10 NFL draft capital goes. That kind of pick is typically reserved for quarterback, edge rusher, cornerback, offensive tackle and, at times, receiver. Washington broke that mold when it grabbed Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, and six games into his rookie season, the bet looks awfully sound.
Styles hasn’t just looked the part. He’s already played like a true defensive centerpiece.
The first hint came in Week 3 against Seattle, when he stayed stride for stride with running back Jadarian Price on a deep route and got a perfectly timed arm on the ball to break it up. It was a striking play on its own, made even more eye-catching by the fact that Styles is 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds. On that same day, he added five tackles, a forced fumble and an interception, then picked up NFC defensive player of the week honors.
And somehow, that wasn’t even his loudest stat line.
Styles followed it up with 13 tackles against the Giants and then 13 more against the 49ers before Washington went into its bye. The production is there, but so is the feel. He’s making those instinctive, momentum-flipping plays that tell you a defender isn’t just piling up numbers - he’s controlling snaps.
He also announced himself early in Week 1 by blowing up Saquon Barkley.
Through six games, Styles has piled up 46 tackles to lead the team, along with three TFLs, an interception, a sack, a forced fumble and four passes defensed. That’s a lot of impact for a player still navigating the usual linebacker learning curve, and he appears to be moving through that process at full speed.
There’s a calm to the way he carries himself, too. Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones even joked that he had seen Styles smile once, a nod to how seriously the rookie takes his work.
It’s still early, and draft picks can go sideways fast. But with Styles, the Commanders already look like they hit on one of the most important selections in the class.
In Other News...
Commanders Add Intriguing Edge Depth As Position Shuffle Continues
Washington added another name to its edge rotation by signing defensive end Kyle Kennard to the practice squad, a move that fits the kind of ongoing shuffle teams make as they sort out depth late in the season. Kennard arrives with some NFL experience already on his ledger, having appeared in five games after the Chargers took him in the fourth round of the 2025 draft.
It is also a reminder that the Commanders are still looking for useful pieces at a position where health and availability can change the picture quickly. Kennard had his playing time slowed by injuries before getting cut loose in Los Angeles, and Washington is betting there is still something to mine there as it keeps turning over options on the edge. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Be Heading Toward A Daron Payne Decision Fans Dread
Washingtons rough start and the shape of the division have pushed the Commanders into the kind of midseason conversation no team wants to have, with the trade deadline looming and the possibility that they could act like sellers. In that context, Daron Payne has emerged as a name worth watching. The defensive tackle remains one of the more prominent pieces on the roster, and with his contract situation adding another layer to the discussion, he is suddenly sitting at the center of a decision that could shape both the present and the near future.
CBS Sports analyst Jared Dubin recently listed Payne among his top 25 trade candidates, which only adds to the intrigue around what Washington might do before the deadline. If the Commanders decide they are more interested in draft capital than a short-term push, Payne becomes one of the clearest players who could draw attention. For a fan base that would rather see core talent stay put, the idea of moving him is an unsettling one, and it leaves this as one of the more uncomfortable storylines to follow over the next stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels Just Became A Real Commanders Debate
Jayden Daniels second season has not matched the electric promise of his rookie year, and the reasons are as much about availability as performance. Injuries have limited his time on the field, which has only sharpened the conversation around how Washington should view its young quarterback as the team tries to build around him.
The debate now goes beyond weekly production and into bigger roster questions, with outside speculation already attaching itself to Daniels future and the looming contract picture. Minnesota has been mentioned in that swirl, and with no official decisions or transactions on the books, the Commanders are left with a familiar NFL tension: whether to stay patient with a talented quarterback or let the noise around him keep growing. [Read more 🡒]