ASHBURN, Va. -- The 2026 NFL draft has begun in Pittsburgh. The three-day event continues with Rounds 2-3 on Friday (7 p.m. ET) and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (noon ET).
The Washington Commanders selected Ohio State inebacker Sonny Styles seventh overall in the first round.
A full list of Washington's selections is below and will be updated with pick-by-pick analysis through the weekend.
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Washington Commanders 2026 draft picks
Round 1, No. 7: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
My take: The Commanders get a player who can impact the middle of their defense -- and then some. Washington needed to add another strong foundational piece to its defense, which ranked bottom five in opposing quarterbacks QBR; yards per play; yards allowed; passing yards allowed; rushing. And they were 27th in scoring. In other words: the Commanders were bad and needed a deep infusion of talent. They handed out $120 million in guaranteed money for defensive players in free agency, but they needed more talent. Styles delivers in that regard. As one AFC defensive coach said: You can plug Styles into the middle for the next 10 years. General manager Adam Peters saw the difference Fred Warner made to the 49ers' defense in the middle; they're hoping for the same from Styles.
Will he start as a rookie: Yes. You don't take a linebacker this high and not start him. However, Washington made quarterback Jayden Daniels earn his starting job -- partly to show any future pick that if they made him do it, everyone else has to as well. Washington signed Leo Chenal in free agency, but he played almost exclusively outside in four years with Kansas City. The Commanders do have Jordan Magee, who would have played in the middle if they didn't take Styles. But he can also play outside and ensures quality depth.
What we're hearing about Sonny Styles: "You see a lot of guys get by with athletic ability. He doesn't operate like that. He operates with the mindset of a kid obsessed with the game of football, who loves football and it helps further elevate his game. You have these natural abilities, but also matching it with the mental aspect of his game," OSU LBs coach James Laurinaitis said.
What's next: Washington has only a third-round pick on the second day of the draft -- 71st overall. But after taking defense with the No. 7 pick, the Commanders must turn to offense and provide Daniels a little more help at receiver. It's considered a deep receiver draft; the Commanders need to find one who can help.
Remaining picks:
Round 3: No. 71
Round 5: No. 147
Round 6: No. 187
Round 6: No. 209
Round 7: No. 223