What Dan Quinn is looking for from NFL draft picks Sonny Styles, Antonio Williams in OTAs
The Commanders NFL draft class has been working with its new team for some time. A group headlined by first-round linebacker Sonny Styles and third-round receiver AntonioWilliams have been in meetings and on-field work, mostly conducted against air.
Activity ramped up on Wednesday during the first ofnineOTAs that lead into a mid-June mandatory minicamp.
There are still no pads or violent contact allowed, sowe'restill awaysfrom the real football heading towards us in training camp and the preseason.
That'swhy Dan Quinn and his staff are focused on thelittle detailsthat show progress,skilland schematic understanding.
Washington's head coach detailed whathe'slooking for in Styles and Williams in this early going.
Let'sstart with Styles, an Ohio State product taken at No. 7 overall. Hecan'thit or make plays on the ball, but Quinn flagged areas where Styles canshowcasehimself this spring.
As Sonnygoes, it's different," Quinn said in a Wednesday press conference. You're not going to see his plays on the ball, but can we see the burst, the movement and as a linebacker - man, do we want to feel his communication."
There are moments, like this clip below, where youcanhis natural movements and athleticism.
Commanders first round pick Sonny Styles.
- Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) May 27, 2026
Look how natural he is dropping back in coverage pic.twitter.com/A1HfMtAgp8
The Commanders will also experiment with using Styles as a pass rusher.
Sonny Styles working on his pass rush pic.twitter.com/Mj52FjXrCS
- Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) May 27, 2026
There are clearer signs for Williams, just by the nature of his position.
This time of year, what are you competing and what does that look like?" Quinn said. And so, in Antonio's spot, it's the route, it's the movements, it's the catching when he is targeted, he'llwork with a number of different groups as we go through the process."
Antonio Williams going through individual drills pic.twitter.com/1RvD7G0PKq
- Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 27, 2026
I thought Antonio Williams had a really nice day today. He looked comfortable in the offense and seemed to have a good sense of finding soft spots in the defense and sitting down giving the QB's a nice target to throw to pic.twitter.com/3PKLo350DF
- Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) May 28, 2026
Williams has made a solid first impression on the man throwing him passes and deciding receivers to target, a positive sign for the Clemson product.
He'sa smooth kid and very crafty within hisroutes," quarterbackJayden Daniels said in a Wednesday presser.I'mexcited to continue to build that rapport with him."