Dan Quinn Can't Stop Raving About Rookie Sonny Styles Before Camp Even Opens

When the regular season rolls around in September, first-round draft pick Sonny Styles will begin his campaign for Defensive Rookie of the Year and look to make an immediate impact on a Washington defense that needs the help.

Justin Carlucci wrote for Matthew Berry's Fantasy Life, picking Styles as the "best bet for rookie of the year."

"Styles was arguably the most day-one-ready prospect in the entire April draft, and he fills a massive void for a Commanders team that was desperate for anybody who could step in and stop the run. They found the right guy," Carlucci wrote. "[Styles is the] kind of player every franchise covets, and being handed a day-one starting role puts him in a high-floor spot to pile up the counting stats that win this award."

Drafted seventh overall in the 2026 NFL draft, Styles was one of three Ohio State defensive players taken in the top 10. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, he was seen as one of the best physical prospects in the draft class. At the NFL combine in February, Styles ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, faster than Von Miller and Patrick Queen.

Following rookie minicamp and OTAs, coach Dan Quinn still thinks as highly of Styles as he did in April. "I'd say he has hit all the marks that you can hit at this time of year," Quinn said to senior writer Zach Shelby. "The knowledge, the intensity to go for it ... He has absolutely nailed all the markers up to now, and we'll kind of continue that as we get into training camp, but he's off to a hell of a start."

After racking up 243 total tackles, nine sacks, and three forced fumbles during his four years at Ohio State, Styles will likely line up next to Leo Chenal and K'Lavon Chaisson in the box. Beefing up the linebacking corps was a huge priority for general manager Adam Peters, as an aging Bobby Wagner paired with Frankie Luvu, who had a down year, simply did not work for the burgundy and gold.

Styles joins an NFC East division packed with elite defensive talent. With former Ohio State teammates Arvell Reese, drafted by the New York Giants, and Caleb Downs, drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, both in the first round, Styles will have more than enough competition when they face off twice a year.

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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 1:45 PM.