Washington drafts linebacker Sonny Styles in round 1

April 24, 2026

by Steve Thomas

Washington drafted Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the seventh overall pick in round 1 of the 2026 NFL draft.

Styles spent four years at Ohio St, from 2022 to 2025.  He was originally a safety but was converted to linebacker in 2024.  Styles was named the starting safety in his sophomore 2023 season, and then was a starting linebacker in 2024 and 2025.  In total, he played 53 games, and made 244 tackles, including 133 solo and 22.5 for loss, with 9 sacks and 1 interception.  In 2025, he played 14 games and had 82 tackles, including 46 solo and 6.5 for loss, plus 1 sack and 1 interception.  Styles earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2024 and First-Team All-American honors in 2025.

At the NFL Combine, Styles was measured at 6’5” and 244 pounds,  He ran the 40 yard dash in 4.46 seconds, jumped 43.5 inches in the vertical leap and 11’2” in the standing broad jump, and ran the 3-cone drill in 7.09 seconds and the 20-yard shuttle in 4.26 seconds.

Styles is nearly universally viewed as the #2 linebacker in the draft behind Arvell Reese.  He is obviously extremely athletic and is therefore an elite “three level” defender.  His long and lean frame essentially dictates that he’ll need to play in an outside position in the NFL, and it’s possible that he might need to put on some additional bulk.  While Styles isn’t known specifically for being a pass rusher, it’s noteworthy that he did have 6 sacks in in 2024 season, so presumably that could potentially be tapped in the NFL as well.

In Washington, Styles should become an instant starter given his draft position.  He’ll be the weakside linebacker in defensive coordinator Daronte Jones’ expected 3 – 4 system.  He’ll be expected to be an elite playmaker in Washington’s defense for years to come.