Overview
- Washington selected Sonny Styles seventh overall on Thursday night in Pittsburgh, making him the first true off‑ball linebacker taken in the draft.
- Team officials expect Styles to start right away in the middle of Dan Quinn’s defense as the long‑term replacement for veteran Bobby Wagner.
- By draft slot, Styles is set to sign a four‑year, fully guaranteed rookie deal worth about $37.21 million.
- Styles shifted from safety to linebacker at Ohio State, earned first‑team All‑America honors as a captain, and posted elite combine marks with a 4.46‑second 40 and a 43.5‑inch vertical.
- Early grades were strong, with multiple outlets calling the choice high value after Next Gen Stats rated his production and athleticism among the best in Round 1.