Commanders' Sonny Styles the NFL's top rookie through four weeks

It’s early, but the Washington Commanders certainly look to have struck gold with rookie linebacker Sonny Styles. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Styles was immediately named a potential NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Through four games, Styles has shown a little bit of everything. He’s started every game, recorded 20 tackles, including two for loss, two forced fumbles, two quarterback hits and one sack. Other rookie class members, such as former Ohio State teammate Arvell Reese, may have more tackles, but no player has shown the kind of potential dominance Styles has.

In Week 1, Styles recorded his first career NFL sack after running through Eagles star Saquon Barkley and bringing down quarterback Jalen Hurts with ease. In the

Week 3 upset win over Seattle, Styles forced two fumbles—he didn’t get credit for one—and had the season’s most impressive pass breakup. Styles ran stride for stride with Seattle’s first-round pick, running back Jadarian Price, and got his hand around to break up what would have been a huge play for the Seahawks.

Styles’ performance in that win over Seattle earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Styles is among Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded linebackers. He’s among the top-five linebackers in coverage and forced fumbles and ranks in the top 10 among linebackers in pass breakups and quarterback pressures.

Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report recently ranked the top 99 NFL rookies after four weeks. Styles was ranked No. 1. Reese, also off to a phenomenal start, ranked No. 4.

Linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, who were collegiate teammates and top-seven draft selections, have created instant impacts for the Washington Commanders and New York Giants, respectively. Styles has been particularly good using his length and athleticism in coverage, while creating multiple pressures when asked to blitz. Plus, his run fits are improving each week. Meanwhile, Reese's versatility has translated to the pro game, with 22 tackles, two tackles for loss, four pass breakups and an interception during the Giants' last two games.

Gennaro Filice of NFL.com recently ranked all the defensive rookies at the quarter mark of the 2026 NFL season. Filice also had Styles at No. 1.

Styles doesn’t have the best stats among rookie defenders, but it sure feels like he’s popped the most. He announced his arrival with a vengeance in Week 1, absolutely bulldozing Saquon Barkley en route to a sack. Two weeks later, he played a critical role in Washington’s shocking upset of the Super Bowl champion Seahawks, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after racking up five tackles, a QB hit, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and an interception. That kind of well-rounded production suits the versatile 6-foot-5, 243-pounder, who spent his first two years at Ohio State as a safety before converting to linebacker. With injuries in Washington’s linebacking corps, Styles has been forced to wear the green dot at times, and the 21-year-old has capably organized Dan Quinn’s defense. At this point, I’m not sure what Styles can’t do.

Styles has also worn the green dot for two of Washington’s games when Frankie Luvu was out. He’s excelled in that role, too.

Styles’ progress is even more impressive considering he’s only played linebacker for three years. This week, Styles’ Commanders face off against Reese’s Giants in what could be a battle for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' Sonny Styles the NFL's top rookie through four weeks