Succeeding in the NFL is far from a guarantee. Plenty of first-round picks take time to get adjusted to the NFL, and plenty never pan out at all. However, there are some rookies who just seem like perfect fits on their team and it’s hard to imagine them not succeeding.
This is the case with the Washington Commanders and Sonny Styles. The Commanders grabbed Styles with the No. 7 pick, and many immediately felt like the linebacker would be perfect with Dan Quinn. Styles wasn’t even expected to last until pick No. 7, with many mock drafts having the Titans grab him at No. 4.
On paper, the fit makes complete sense. The Commanders struggled over the middle last season as it became apparent that Bobby Wagner had lost a step. Now, Styles is primed to step right in and provide the defense with a jolt of energy and athleticism.
NFL.com’s Tom Blair recently identified the ten rookies that are in a position to succeed immediately in the NFL. At the No. 1 spot, Blair had Styles, and offered the following rationale:
We already know Styles has the kind of athletic profile that gets folks googly-eyed. Now picture him using his superpowers to flow to the ball as the dynamic young centerpiece of Quinn’s fortified defense. When Quinn says he “can’t wait to coach” Styles, it might sound like boilerplate offseason hype, but in Quinn’s case, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was actually counting how many sleeps are left before he gets to work his prized new pupil into a defense that finished 31st in EPA per play last season, per Next Gen Stats.
As Blair mentioned, Styles’ athletic profile is incredible and should work wonders in Quinn’s system. The Commanders desperately needed to get younger and faster on defense, and Styles helps accomplish both of those things.
So, the fit makes sense, but there’s also going to be ample playing time for Styles immediately. The Commanders brought in Leo Chenal in free agency to man one linebacker spot, but Styles should have other. Frankie Luvu is still around, but he disappointed in 2025, and there’s no one else on the roster who would challenge for a starting spot.
If the Commanders are going to quickly turn things around and get back to contention, the defense has to be better. With the free agency additions, like Chenal and Odafe Oweh, and the pick of Styles, it’s easy to be optimistic about the unit for 2026.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles poised for immediate success