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If you watched the Washington Commanders in 2025, you probably think they need to add to the defense this offseason.
Luckily, the team holds the No. 7 pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. This class is considered deep in defensive playmakers, so the Commanders could have their pick of several solid defenders. Some mock drafts have had the team taking a safety or edge rusher, but ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has the team going a different route.
In Kiper's latest mock draft, he has the Commanders selecting linebacker Sonny Styles. Styles is a former safety who played off-ball linebacker for the Ohio State Buckeyes and absolutely dominated in 2025.
Fellow draft expert Field Yates appeared with Kiper to talk about the latest mock, and Yates was very complimentary of Styles.
"Ohio State LB Sonny Styles has exceptional range, size, and athleticism," Yates said. "And he was charged with just 2 missed tackles in 2025."
Styles ended the season with 82 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception. The defender put up even bigger numbers in 2024, when he ended with 100 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. However, as Yates mentioned, Styles was charged with 17 missed tackles in 2024 and only two in 2025.
"(Styles) was the third best in tackle percentage number," Yates said of Styles in 2025. "He has the skills, he has the length, he has the power, he put it all together this past season."
The Commanders could certainly use a dominant middle linebacker like Styles. Bobby Wagner looked like he had lost a step in the 2025 season, and he's headed for free agency anyway. The Commanders need to get younger and faster on defense, and Styles accomplishes both goals.
There are several directions the Commanders could go with this pick, but it may be hard to pass up on Styles. For example, there could be some solid pass-rushers available later in the draft, but there may not be as many options at inside linebacker.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Mel Kiper sends Sonny Styles to DC in new mock
Continue reading...
Luckily, the team holds the No. 7 pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. This class is considered deep in defensive playmakers, so the Commanders could have their pick of several solid defenders. Some mock drafts have had the team taking a safety or edge rusher, but ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has the team going a different route.
In Kiper's latest mock draft, he has the Commanders selecting linebacker Sonny Styles. Styles is a former safety who played off-ball linebacker for the Ohio State Buckeyes and absolutely dominated in 2025.
Fellow draft expert Field Yates appeared with Kiper to talk about the latest mock, and Yates was very complimentary of Styles.
"Ohio State LB Sonny Styles has exceptional range, size, and athleticism," Yates said. "And he was charged with just 2 missed tackles in 2025."
Styles ended the season with 82 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception. The defender put up even bigger numbers in 2024, when he ended with 100 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. However, as Yates mentioned, Styles was charged with 17 missed tackles in 2024 and only two in 2025.
"(Styles) was the third best in tackle percentage number," Yates said of Styles in 2025. "He has the skills, he has the length, he has the power, he put it all together this past season."
The Commanders could certainly use a dominant middle linebacker like Styles. Bobby Wagner looked like he had lost a step in the 2025 season, and he's headed for free agency anyway. The Commanders need to get younger and faster on defense, and Styles accomplishes both goals.
There are several directions the Commanders could go with this pick, but it may be hard to pass up on Styles. For example, there could be some solid pass-rushers available later in the draft, but there may not be as many options at inside linebacker.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Mel Kiper sends Sonny Styles to DC in new mock
Continue reading...
