Dan Quinn already knows who he wants the Washington Commanders to pick seventh-overall in the 2026 NFL draft. That’s according to a draft insider who has it on “pretty damn good authority” the head coach already has “his guy,” although the insider warned a rival from the NFC East could beat the Commanders to the player Quinn wants.
It’s the New York Giants who could ruin Quinn’s ideal draft plans, according to The Ringer’s Todd McShay. He revealed on “The McShay Show” on Monday, April 20, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles “is going seven, so I’ll just tell you that right now. If Sonny Styles is sitting there for the Washington Commanders, I’m told on pretty damn good authority, Dan Quinn, that’s his guy.”
This is a bold call from McShay ahead of Round 1 on Thursday, but it makes sense for the Commanders. Quinn knows his defense has had a need for greater range and athleticism at linebacker for the longest time.
Styles provides both qualities as a natural three-down, off-ball playmaker. Taking him off the board early would complete a necessary overhaul of Washington’s front seven that’s already involved getting younger and more versatile at linebacker.
Sonny Styles a Natural Fit for Dan Quinn Defense
New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones may well add some sophisticated pressures learned from Brian Flores, but Quinn’s fingerprints will still be evident on the Commanders’ defense.
That’s why it’s hardly surprising Quinn wants Styles at the top of this draft. The 21-year-old is a natural fit for what Quinn has traditionally done defensively.
Specifically, Quinn has often relied upon active and flexible linebackers to make his schemes work. Think ex-Commanders defensive captain Bobby Wagner, a 10-time Pro Bowler who became a legend as part of Quinn’s fearsome ‘Legion of Boom’ defenses with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 and ’14.
Quinn also made 2016 second-round pick Deion Jones a Pro Bowler at the heart of the linebacker corps for the Atlanta Falcons. Styles has similar traits to both Wagner and Jones, particularly the ability to both get downhill against the run, while also being able to track receivers in space.
Those attributes make Styles a more appealing pick for Quinn than a similarly dynamic Buckeyes teammate, who plays a position that’s arguably a bigger need. The choice will come down to both availability and Quinn’s influence on the new direction Washington’s defense is headed.
A direction being reset from the front.
Commanders Can Complete Necessary Front Seven Rebuild
Getting better up front has been the priority for the Commanders this offseason and they’ve attacked the issue with enthusiasm and money. Lucrative deals for edger-rushers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, along with nose tackle Tim Settle, made headlines, but a less-heralded signing may yield a greater impact.
Former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal is excellent on the blitz and versatile enough to play inside or outside. Chenal, 25, fits the more aggressive and complex schemes Jones is expected to run, schemes also expected to help a blitzing All-Pro linebacker find better matchups.
While the blitz will be a greater point of emphasis for linebackers, Quinn still knows the value of a stuff the run and cover the pass at an elite level. Styles fits the bill, but what’s interesting is what drafting him would mean for Jordan Magee, another 25-year-old Quinn has already tipped for big things in the middle.
Pairing Magee with Styles would give the Commanders the speed and unpredictability they have lacked for too long at the second level. So Quinn will hope the Giants don’t follow McShay’s advice and pounce for “his guy” two picks ahead of the Commanders.
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