The Washington Commanders didn’t waste much time when they were on the clock at the 2026 NFL Draft. It was the No. 7 overall pick, and the first of only six total picks in the draft. General manager Adam Peters had to make the right choice; he didn’t get another pick until round three. When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles was the pick, the entirety of Raise Hail Nation let out a collective breath, followed by a thrilled shout of excitement.
Styles is not your typical linebacker in many ways, which is what drew criticism to the young player. He started college as a safety and then switched to linebacker, giving some coaches and executives pause on drafting him, but longtime respected NFL analyst Greg Cosell has words for anyone talking down the Commanders‘ first-round draft pick.
Don’t let NFC East rivals talk down on the #Commanders Sonny Styles pick
Here’s NFL Draft expert Greg Cosell on an Eagles podcast losing his mind over Sonny#RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/OJCrRCns7Y
— Full Command (@FullCommandShow) May 1, 2026
“His athletic testing was kind of ridiculous. I mean, the guy is 6’5, 244 (pounds) at the combine. Ran a 4.46, had a 43.5″ vertical, and an 11’2 broad (jump). Top four going back nearly 30 years at the Combine,” Cosell begins. “And you have to remember one thing, guys, he’s only played stack backer for two years. He went to Ohio State as a safety and, I mean, he got better.
“I watched him last summer, and after I watched him, I reached out to a good friend of mine who’s a scout and does the Big 10. I said, “Hey, I just watched Sonny Styles, and this guy is ridiculous.” And the scout said to me, “Oh yeah, yeah, he sure is.” So then, of course, I watched him this year, and I thought he was even better, because you just saw the comfort level was better.”
Cosell goes on to remind listeners that Styles played in a Matt Patricia defense, so he’s already played for an NFL coach and understands NFL expectations. The Fred Warner comparisons are the most accurate, but as Cosell points out, Styles is significantly bigger than Warner, who was big for his position already. And as he’s improved as a linebacker, it’s become clear how well he will fit in Dan Quinn’s scheme.
“He’s, you know, because he’s so physically gifted, there’s even a positionalist element to his game as well,” Cosell says. “I mean, you could line him up, you know, over the slot, which he did at times. I mean, there’s a lot you can do with him, but at his core, he’s a stack backer.”
One of the biggest draws to Sonny Styles wasn’t his size or physicality, but rather his versatility. His leadership qualities and ability to diagnose plays will eventually give him the green dot in the NFL, and there are already talks about Defensive Rookie of the Year potential. He’s not just a great draft pick; he’s a guy who, if treated right, will be loyal to his team for years to come.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Greg Cosell says Sonny Styles is ‘ridiculous’