Which direction will the Washington Commanders go with the No. 7 overall pick in next month’s 2026 NFL Draft? The Commanders do not even know the answer to that question. With six picks in front of them, Washington must react to what happens, but GM Adam Peters certainly knows which players he likes the most.

It sure sounds like Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles is one of those players.

Advertisement

Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, and majority owner Josh Harris were at the NFL’s owners meetings on Tuesday, and each spoke to the media. In a chat with Kay Adams of “Up & Adams,” Peters was asked about the All-American linebacker.

“He’s an impressive kid,” Peters told Adams. “He’s outstanding. I mean, we went to their pro day last week and they have four guys that are probably going to be picked in the top 10. That place is a factory, and they’ve got great coaches, and the players are really well-coached, and they’re really good. Sonny fits into that category. He’s big, he’s long, he’s fast, he’s athletic, he’s really smart, he’s a great leader, so, ummm, yeah, he’s a really good player.”

Peters then praised Styles’ football IQ.

“He gets those guys lined up. All the players on the team revere him. They talk about his leadership, his ability, his football IQ, the coaches do. If you talk to anybody there, he’s going to be a team captain for 10 years.”

Peters has a great poker face. He often says as little as possible as nicely as possible. He did so here, but he wasn’t lying about his appreciation for Sonny Styles. Coming from San Francisco, Peters understands elite linebacker play, having a hand in drafting Fred Warner to the 49ers. Future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner is a free agent and appears unlikely to return. When you hear Peters and Quinn talk about who is a “Commander,” almost everything Peters described fits Styles to a tee.

Advertisement

Of course, Washington may not have a chance to draft Styles. Several teams in front of the Commanders could use Styles. Many mock drafts have him going to the New York Giants at No. 5 overall. If Styles slips past the Giants, Peters could have a big decision to make.

People often talk about positional value. Do you want a potential All-Pro player or just a solid player at a premium position? Styles is going to make any team that drafts him better — and for a long time.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Adam Peters seems excited about Sonny Styles