Another Ohio State prospect has come off the board early. Linebacker Sonny Styles has been selected seventh overall by the Commanders. Just two picks after seeing his teammate Arvell Reese get drafted to New York, Styles comes off the board as the first true off-ball linebacker drafted. Styles becomes the highest drafted off-ball linebacker since Devin White went fifth overall in 2019.
Styles had to wait a bit longer than his fellow member of the Buckeye’s linebacking corps and new division-rival Reese. Styles played very sparingly as a true freshman and found himself in a rotational role in Year 2. Unlike Reese, Styles played a major role as a starter alongside Cody Simon en route to Ohio State’s run to a national championship. That year, he recorded collegiate career highs in total tackles (100), tackles for loss (10.5), sacks (6.0), and passes defensed (5), benefiting by getting to make plays of Simon’s steady coverage in the middle.
Styles heads to Washington, where he should immediately take on a starting role, receiving the torch from future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner. While it would’ve been beneficial for Styles to get to learn under Wagner, the Commanders get the benefit of drafting an immediate plug-and-play replacement for the stellar veteran. Washington had signed Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal to fill in next to Frankie Luvu in the linebacking corps, but both players have filled similar versatile roles to what Reese did next to Styles in Columbus.
With draft pick salaries slotted automatically, Styles is locked into a four-year, $37.21MM rookie deal. The contract is fully guaranteed, giving him the third-most guaranteed money at his position in the league, behind only Roquan Smith and Fred Warner.
Love this pick.