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Commanders’ Javon Kinlaw doesn’t know where to start with ‘freak of nature’ Sonny Styles appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Washington Commanders came crashing back to earth in 2025 after making a run all the way to the NFC Championship Game after the 2024 season, but they are looking for a bounce back. One of the primary needs in order to get back to the top of the NFL was to improve the defense, and Washington did just that by drafting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Styles was one of the best off-ball linebacker prospects in recent years. He was a tackling machine at Ohio State, has great size and is an incredible athlete for the position, making him a home run pick in the top 10. Now, in his first training camp in Washington, Styles is already making a strong impression on his teammates.
After Tuesday’s training camp practice, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw gushed about Styles’ ability, via Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic.
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“Where do I start?” Kinlaw pondered. “He’s a freak of nature. Me and him are looking eye to eye, but clearly he’s running 10 mph faster than I am. … He’s coming downhill. He’s coming downhill and he’s bringing thump with it. It’s just fun to see a young, spry guy just bouncing all over the field. He’s just in the box with these running backs, and he’s not getting danced out of the hole. He ain’t losing his ground on contact, he can do some outstanding things in coverage. It’s a blessing. It’s a blessing for me to be around someone like that.”
Styles will be tasked with leading a Washington defense that was one of the worst in the NFL last season as a rookie. The Commanders still have plenty of questions in the secondary, but if Styles can provide a clear improvement at linebacker, that should be enough to make this an improved defense next season.
Based on all of the reviews coming in from Commanders camp about Styles, he could be in for a big rookie year that may have him near the very top of the Defensive Rookie of the Year race.
Related: Jayden Daniels’ ‘more armor’ Commanders transformation will be crucial to keep him healthy
Related: Dan Quinn’s challenge to Commanders rookie Sonny Styles to truly unleash the beast
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