Beau Bishop, who covers Ohio State, spoke on a popular local radio show about the prospects on the roster, notably linebacker Sonny Styles. Bishop praised Styles as a versatile, elite athlete, saying, “Styles could be used all over the lineup… a freak athlete. He’s incredibly intelligent as a football player.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Styles has lined up everywhere from the defensive line to the box to slot corner. That versatility could allow the Commanders to deploy him in base defenses and subpackages as a three-down linebacker, a contrast to Frankie Luvu, who is downhill and attacking but lacks ideal versatility in coverage.
Styles’ background as a converted safety underlines his potential fit in a flexible defense. At Ohio State, he was steered by James Laurinaitis into a role that emphasized hybrid play—blitzing, covering tight ends, and even dropping into a three-safety look when needed—helping him develop into a potential three-down defender.
The concept of a “positionless” defense suits Styles’ approach. He could operate at all three levels, rushing through gaps to pressure blockers, matching up with backs and tight ends, and trailing deeper to negate seam passes in certain packages. With playmakers such as Jer’Zhan Newton and Daron Payne upfront, the Commanders would have enhanced options to disrupt opposing offenses.
The Commanders spent heavily in the offseason to strengthen the defense, and Styles represents a potential next step in maximizing that investment. If he can translate his versatility and instinct to the NFL level, Styles could help redefine the unit’s identity as a multi-faceted, adaptable defense.
With the No. 7 pick in play and a clear need for elevated playmaking on defense, Washington will weigh Styles’ fit against their long-term plan. A successful integration could mark a significant shift in how the defense attacks and adapts across opponents.
