Mike

Sainristil

Keim lists the team’s No. 2 need as “a cornerback with length.” Delane stands 6'/187. His arms measured 30" at the NFL Scouting Combine. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn spent the 2010, 2013 and 2014 seasons with the Seahawks under former head coach Pete Carroll, who eagerly drafted cornerbacks standing at least 6' with arms measuring at least 32". We have no way of knowing if Quinn values arm length like Carroll used to, but Delane is generating first-round buzz. The Commanders signed former Lions CB Amik Robertson in free agency. He is expected to man the slot. CBs Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil are currently expected to start on the perimeter. Drafting Delane in the first round could mean he is allowed to compete for a starting role on the outside.

Sainristil was a new addition to the injury report this week, nursing a knee issue. The 24-year-old intercepted a pass last week and is one of the team’s starting cornerbacks. If he cannot go in Week 5, the Commanders will turn to Noah Igbinoghene for help.

An All-American and First Team All Big-10 selection, Sainristil (5'9/182) was arguably the top nickel corner in the nation this year. The converted slot wide receiver allowed a 58% reception rate on 50 targets, to go along with six pass breakups and six interceptions which ranked third in the FBS. He is a pure athlete who can change the direction of the field quickly, or even change the score (two touchdowns in ‘23). An elite zone cover DB who earned a strong 85th percentile cover grade, Sainristil should be plug-and-play at the next level in the slot. He possesses elite ball skills with 13 pass breakups and seven interceptions over the last two seasons. A plus athlete, The Michigan shutdown corner put up 95th% jumping marks with a scorching 4.01s shuttle (94th%) for an 8.45 RAS. While he may struggle with press/man coverage he does add physicality in run support to his resume with 44 run stops and 20 total pressures with two sacks in the last two years. Sainristil has a high motor and never stops, is consistently around the ball and has the athleticism to shine in a nickel role.

As Feldman notes, Sainristil (5'10/175) was a freshman who enrolled early, and while he ‘only’ had the three-star designation, it sounds like there’s a real shot he’s going to earn early playing time with the Wolverines. It’s also not the first time we’ve heard of him standing out in the spring -- not that Feldman isn’t as reliable as it gets -- and it’s always nice to get multiple reports of playing well. “Harbaugh says Sainristil’s speed and change of direction is “eye-opening” and he loves the kid’s enthusiasm,” Feldman writes. “He’s hell-bent on learning everything he can and excited for every rep that he can get,” he said.” Keep an eye out.

“He has a level of quickness, change of direction, speed that has been really eye opening and really good for the team, but he’s also tough,” said hC Jim Harbaugh. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Sainristil has received additional love for his hands and football smarts from UM coaches and players this offseason. With a strong August camp, the three-star freshman could make an early impact in UM’s rotation this fall. Shaw tags Sainristil as the biggest “riser” to emerge out of spring ball.