Commanders add linebacker Styles with No. 7 draft pick

Sonny Styles knew he’d be a Commander.

He felt it in his bones when he left Washington’s facility following a pre-draft visit. He told his family about his gut feeling on the morning of the draft.

They didn’t believe him.

On Thursday night, the Commanders proved the Ohio State linebacker right as they selected him with the seventh overall pick during the first round of the NFL draft. 

But, as Styles reminded everyone around him, he knew this day would come. His draft night suit featured photos of his loved ones on the lining, alongside a poem that the versatile defender wrote as a youngster. 

“I see barely any people actually make it to the NFL. I want to show them it’s not impossible,” he wrote. “I am an athlete who wants to go pro.”

Styles was projected as a top-five pick ahead of Thursday night’s festivities. But, slowly, he slipped to No. 7. 

“I told my family this morning, ‘I’m going to be a Commander,’” Styles said. “No one really thought so. I just had this feeling.”

The Las Vegas Raiders opened the night by selecting quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first pick. The New York Jets then picked defensive end David Bailey, the Arizona Cardinals selected running back Jeremiyah Love, the Tennessee Titans picked wide receiver Carnell Tate, the New York Giants chose edge rusher Arvell Reese and the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to grab cornerback Mansoor Delane.

Styles couldn’t believe it when he finally got the call from Commanders general manager Adam Peters. 

“I couldn’t believe it at first. It said ‘spam risk,’ I got nervous,” Styles said. He needed reassurance from his agent that this wasn’t a scam. He was headed to Washington. 

Just like that, Styles’ vision came to fruition. The linebacker couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face as he donned a Commanders hat and posed with a burgundy and gold jersey next to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. 

“So much joy,” Styles said. “So blessed.”

The feeling was mutual. As Peters addressed the media, his responses turned to chuckles. The Commanders’ decision-maker got his man. 

“Didn’t think he was going to be there,” Peters said. “Thought there was a chance — a low chance. It was an easy pick when he was there and we were on the clock.”

Styles starred during his three seasons in Columbus, earning All-American honors last year after starring during the Buckeyes’ run back to the College Football Playoff. 

Over the last two years, Styles recorded 182 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, seven sacks and eight pass deflections. He entered the scouting season as a promising, if imperfect, linebacker prospect after starting his career as a safety. 

He had already impressed NFL scouts with his play on the field. The son of former NFL linebacker Lorenzo Styles Sr. quickly got the hang of the linebacker position.

“At safety, you’re 10 yards away from the ball. You have a little more time, space,” Washington’s newest linebacker said. “Now you’re moving to five yards, things are happening faster.”

Speed shouldn’t scare Styles. In fact, it’s his athleticism that terrifies opposing offenses. 

His scouting combine performance was undeniable. The 21-year-old recorded a perfect 10 in his Relative Athletic Score after running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash with an 11-foot-2-inch broad jump and an absurd 43 ½-inch vertical. 

Standing 6 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing in at 244 pounds, Styles is an athletic marvel. 

His stock rocketed up draft boards around the league, leading to him joining the Commanders in the top 10. 

In Washington, Styles joins an overhauled defense that was a priority for Peters this offseason. 

Last season, Washington ranked last in the NFL in yards allowed and fifth-worst in points allowed. The franchise signed safety Nick Cross, linebacker Leo Chenal, defensive end Odafe Oweh and edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency this spring. 

Styles projects as an immediate starter alongside Chenal and returning linebacker Frankie Luvu. The linebacking trio is expected to set the tone for the versatile, disguise-heavy scheme expected from new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. 

The Commanders have five more picks over the draft’s final six rounds. Washington owns the No. 71 overall pick in Friday’s third round and four selections on Saturday: a fifth-rounder, two sixth-round picks and a seventh-round selection.