Okay, you need to hear about Washington Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles right now. This isn’t just hype, folks. Through the first seven weeks of the NFL season, ESPN has straight up declared Styles is tied for the best rookie in the entire league, sharing that top spot with New York Giants linebacker Arvell Reese. Yeah, you read that right. The best.
Styles’ Speed Is Absolutely Wild
ESPN’s not wrong about this kid: Styles’ insane speed is exactly what made him a top-10 draft pick, and he’s been unleashing it on the field all season. We’re talking about a player who made an instant impact. Remember his debut? He absolutely trucked Eagles running back Saquon Barkley on his way to sacking quarterback Jalen Hurts. That’s a statement, man. And it wasn’t a fluke. In Washington’s only win, he caught up with tight end Eric Saubert and stripped the ball right at the goal line. Saubert recovered for a touchdown, sure, but the effort was insane. Oh, and he snagged his only interception of the season in that same game. The guy is just getting better, too, racking up 13 tackles in Washington’s last two games alone.
Leading the Charge and a Smart Bet
Styles isn’t just making highlight plays, he’s a fundamental part of that Commanders defense. He is Washington’s leading tackler with a massive 46 tackles already this season. Plus, he’s tied for the second-most tackles for loss on the entire team. Picking Styles looks like one of the smartest moves of the entire 2026 NFL Draft. His emergence is even more critical now, especially with Daron Payne’s foot injury impacting the Commanders’ defense. This kid is delivering when they need it most.
What’s Next for the Rookie Sensation
Washington is facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles again on Sunday night. You know the Eagles remember him. He actually recorded his only sack so far this season against them in the season opener. Can Styles continue this incredible run and cement his status as the real deal against a division rival? You’d be crazy to bet against him at this point.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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