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Sonny Styles and Fernando Mendoza headline an impressive 2026 NFL rookie class, but one prominent evaluation placed the Washington Commanders linebacker ahead of the highly regarded Las Vegas Raiders quarterback. While Mendoza entered the league with significant expectations as a franchise passer, Styles earned recognition as the top rookie entering the season because of his rare athletic profile and potential to make an immediate impact on defense. Styles arrives in Washington after establishing himself as one of college football’s most versatile defenders. His combination of size, speed and instincts allows him to contribute in multiple roles, making him an ideal fit for today’s NFL defenses. Whether defending the run, covering tight ends or pressuring quarterbacks, Styles possesses the skill set to influence games in a variety of ways from the opening week of his rookie campaign. Mendoza, meanwhile, remains one of the most intriguing young quarterbacks in the league. The Raiders selected him with the expectation that he will eventually become the face of the franchise, even if veteran Kirk Cousins is expected to begin the season as the starter. Mendoza’s arm talent, composure and football intelligence have generated optimism that he can develop into a long-term solution under center once he gains valuable professional experience. The difference in the rankings reflects expectations for immediate production rather than long-term potential. Styles is projected to step into a significant defensive role immediately, giving him more opportunities to influence games from the start of the season. Mendoza, on the other hand, could spend part of the year learning behind an established veteran before assuming starting responsibilities later in the campaign. That timeline naturally affects projections for rookie-year impact. NFL Expert Names Sonny Styles, Not Fernando Mendoza, as Top Rookie in 2026 Styles was named as the top rookie going into the new NFL season. This is detailed more in an analysis by Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department Styles was the best linebacker prospect B/R has scouted over the last four cycles, due to his combination of rare athleticism for the position and instincts. That should help him hit the ground running in the NFL and make an impact in both phases of the game. Plus, the Ohio State product enters a situation where he should immediately be the best linebacker on the Commanders’ roster. Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger racked up over 150 tackles en route to winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award last year, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Styles have a similar campaign this season. Styles has also emerged as an early candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year because of his versatility and ability to fill multiple responsibilities within Washington’s defense. His athleticism allows coaches to move him around the formation, creating favorable matchups while expanding the defense’s flexibility. If he adapts quickly to the professional level, he could become one of the league’s most productive first-year defenders. Although Mendoza did not claim the top spot in the rookie rankings, his long-term outlook remains exceptionally bright. Quarterbacks often require additional time to adjust to the speed and complexity of the NFL, while defenders can sometimes make immediate contributions. As the 2026 season unfolds, both players will have opportunities to justify the excitement surrounding their arrivals, with Styles aiming to anchor Washington’s defense and Mendoza working toward becoming the Raiders’ quarterback of the future.