Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones probably has mixed feelings about how the Washington Commanders’ game against the Seattle Seahawks went. On the one hand, they gave up 31 points. On the other hand, they generated three turnovers, including a pick-six, that were crucial to the Commanders’ victory.
One of those turnovers was from Commanders rookie linebacker Sonny Styles, whom they drafted as the No. 7 overall pick. Styles has had a strong start to the season with a sack in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, making him one of four rookies in the NFL with at least one interception and at least one sack in the first three games. Styles was also named the NFC Defensive Player of the Weekfor his performance in last week’s win.
“He’s
a little ahead of schedule, if I’m being honest with you,” Jones said. “He’s ahead of schedule, which is not really surprising based off of if you got to know him in the offseason in terms of the draft process and you kind of see how cerebral he is and how serious he is, how mature he is in terms of how he takes the craft, and a lot of young guys, they don’t honor their craft until three years in, which he came in [with]. Again, his professionalism, or working to be a professional, is why you see the learning curve shorten a little bit.”
Styles will be an important part of Jones’ game plan to attack the Indianapolis Colts offense this coming Sunday in London. Both teams come into this game 1-2 after getting their first win of the year in Week 3, and both desperately need a win to stay relevant in the playoff race.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders DC Daronte Jones says Sonny Styles is 'ahead of schedule'
