Sonny Styles turned heads at Washington’s rookie minicamp. From his overall frame to his athletic ability during the practice session, Styles checked the first-impressions box on the physical presence front.
The Commanders selected Styles with their seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, and the ceiling of the second-year linebacker hasn’t been reached yet. One thing was clear from watching Styles’s 2025 tape: he is a perfect project
for defensive coordinator Daronte Jones to take on as a first-time defensive coordinator. Styles’ athletic ability, overall functional strength, and alignment versatility in and around the box could significantly elevate Jones’ profile if the pairing is successful.
Styles wins on this rep using exceptional pad level and functional strength, meeting the pulling lineman in the playside gap, stacking, and stalemating the ball carrier in essentially all one sequence. To understand Styles’ play strength, watch the offensive lineman jolt back during the engagement. Styles is an explosive athlete who uses his gifts at the point of contact. Whether it’s through blockers or when engaged with the ball carrier, he can stalemate the majority of engagements and prevent additional yards gained.
On this rep, Styles shows very good mental processing, quickly diagnosing the quarterback draw, and closes the space between him and the running back. This was a well-timed play call by Indiana; it caught Ohio State off guard. However, this rep highlights Styles’ ability to become an eraser for a defense. First off, Styles quickly sheds and disengages the running back, minimizing the quarterback’s gain, using his acceleration and arm length, which rank among the 75th percentile among linebackers, to bring down Fernando Mendoza.
Styles’ natural fluidity as a coverage defender and his overall foot speed will allow Daronte Jones to utilize him in a variety of alignment disguises and coverages. On this rep, Styles is aligned in the slot to the field side, between the slot receiver and the in-line tight end. Here you see Styles force a tight-window throw, creating a honey hole for the quarterback, due to his ability to trail and stay under the slot receiver as he runs his corner route.
For linebackers and generally most defenders in pass coverage, it’s not always about taking the ball away but forcing the quarterback to get off of reads. Styles has a great spatial awareness and is comfortable in space. In this rep, he is aligned as the Buckeyes’ edge defender and drops into coverage, picking up any crossers/overs heading into his zone. His ability to read and react helps to force the quarterback to check the ball down quickly. He carries crossers and shows a good fundamental understanding of “walling” or “robot” technique in pass coverage, which allows coordinators to effectively defend the middle of the field on the second level or deep third (seam routes).
The way I define Styles as a “project” is not the negative connotation most would associate with the term. It is, in my opinion, a great opportunity, and Washington selected a high-ceiling athlete who can truly thrive in a scheme like Daronte Jones’, given his ability to move players around. Make no mistake with Styles, though, his alignment versatility does not mean position versatility. He is effective in the slot, on the edge, and off-ball, but he is the future in the middle of Washington’s defense.
He is an effective communicator directing the front seven. He is a tone-setter in the defense, a trash-talker, and a generally sound football player. You can watch my full-length Trap or Dive film session below, where I break down all aspects of his game, including his strengths and areas for improvement in his run fits and coverage.
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