ASHBURN, Aug. 4 -- The sound that defined Washington Commanders training camp Monday was not a cheering crowd or a coach's whistle. It was the collision between linebacker Sonny Styles and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt on the opening play of the first padded practice, a hit audible from the far sideline that set the register for everything that followed.

Styles, the No. 7 overall pick, has faced the elevated expectations that attach to a top-10 selection since he arrived in Ashburn. The first padded reps offered something more useful than projection. On the opening snap of team drills, he found the gap, diagnosed the run, and delivered a hit that echoed across the practice field. Then he did it again, filling a running lane later i...