The Washington Commanders selected Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Commanders, who missed the playoffs in 2025 after reaching the NFC Championship Game the season prior, are in desperate need of some playmakers on defense. They're hoping that Styles can be that kind of impact player for them.
Styles made his NFL preseason debut over the weekend. He started at middle linebacker for the Commanders. However, his play in his preseason debut left some fans concerned.
A video of every snap of Styles' first game has gone viral on social media, leading to some worry about his future in the league.
It's just one game, and it's the preseason, but Styles made little to no impact on the field during that first preseason game.
"Would like to see this tape broken down by an actual expert because as a casual fan, its easy to say he didnt make a play but it doesnt really seem like he was out of position," one fan noted.
"Him keeping up w the TEs (Dulcich maybe?) was impressive but he guessed wrong on almost every gap in the run," one fan added.
"Athletic but slow to react might take a minute to adjust to nfl speed," one fan added.
Styles admitted his preseason debut wasn't ideal
Styles admitted that it was not an ideal debut.
“Me and [LB] Leo [Chenal] were a little frustrated,” Styles said with a smile after the game. “One drive, one touchdown, like 15 plays, so, not ideal, but go again next week.”
That's a good mindset for Styles to have, but right now, the former Ohio State Buckeyes star is going to need to produce in a big-time way for the Commanders to have gotten that pick right.
