Top 5 NFL Rookies to Know for 2026 (Ep. 2023)

Hosts Joey P., Darren "Dee Bro" Brown, and Andrew Erickson discuss five 2026 NFL rookies poised for significant impacts, focusing on how they address team weaknesses and contribute to turnarounds. They prioritize defensive players first, given broader football implications beyond fantasy, before shifting to offense, with emphasis on fit, stats, and opportunities amid roster changes.

Sonny Styles Bolsters Commanders' Linebacker Corps

Sonny Styles, linebacker from Ohio State now with the Washington Commanders, stands out for his versatility and athleticism in Dan Quinn's scheme. Hosts highlight his 25th-ranked run stop rate, 10th-lowest missed tackle rate, and college pass-rush production (39 pressures, 10 sacks on 169 edge snaps), comparing it to Arvell Reese's. With Frankie Luvu, Leo Chenal, and Bobby Wagner, the linebacker group improves dramatically from 2025's poor short-middle coverage (sixth-highest yards per attempt allowed). Styles could play multiple roles, including edge rushes, in a hybrid defense under new coordinator Devontae Jones, akin to Brian Flores' Vikings approach. Erickson favors him at +850 for Defensive Rookie of the Year, likening him to Fred Warner under GM Adam Peters (ex-49ers). The pick addresses Washington's 2025 collapse after Jayden Daniels' strong rookie year, potentially restoring relevance with Quinn's coaching.