Commanders predicted to take Ohio State star with 7th overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft

The Washington Commanders are well positioned to add a future star to their roster.

There should be a ton of talent on the board when it's the Commanders' turn to pick at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. That includes a bunch of Ohio State Buckeyes.

The reality is that the top of this draft board is loaded with OSU stars, and the Commanders will likely have the chance to pick from a few of them if they want.

In ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.'s new mock draft, unveiled Tuesday, he has the Commanders going with Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.

That's after Arvell Reese goes No. 3 and Caleb Downs goes No. 5 from OSU, and one pick before Carnell Tate goes off the board, too.

Kiper gives Washington the physical freak linebacker who can do it all.

"The Commanders couldn't stop anyone last season, and linebacker Bobby Wagner appears to be headed elsewhere as a free agent," Kiper writes. "Bringing in Styles -- my No. 6 prospect regardless of position -- to team up with Frankie Luvu and new addition Leo Chenal makes some sense. After a 77-tackle season, Styles posted an incredible 43½-inch vertical jump at the combine, a glimpse into his explosion. Washington needs good ball players, and Styles is just that. I could also see Washington going with a receiver here, perhaps Carnell Tate, Styles' teammate at Ohio State. The Commanders' offense is looking for more juice opposite top wideout Terry McLaurin."

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There has also been some suggestion that the Commanders could go with RB Jeremiyah Love with this pick if he's still on the board.

In Kiper's mock, though, Love goes No. 4 to the Titans.

Styles isn't a bad outcome at all. He'd be a team leader for the next decade or more.

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