Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
Mike Sainristil looked like a superstar last season. Jayden Daniels got all the hype and headlines, which is understandable when one considers the position he plays and where he was drafted. However, the Washington Commanders also struck gold with the fiery cornerback at No. 50 overall.
Sainristil thrived in the nickel over the early stages of the campaign. When players like Michael Davis, Emmanuel Forbes Jr., and Benjamin St-Juste began to struggle, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. switched him to the boundary. This came with raised eyebrows, but the former Michigan team captain thrived.
Whether this trend continues in 2025 remains to be seen. The Commanders added Trey Amos and Jonathan Jones. This provides Washington with flexibility where Sainristil is concerned, which is a nice problem to have. And based on the reports emerging from OTAs, the defensive back is looking to build on his sensational first year in a professional environment.
Sainristil's anticipation, ability to break off routes, and make like extremely uncomfortable for opposing wide receivers was evident throughout, according to team writer Zach Selby. With Marshon Lattimore opting to skip voluntary OTAs, which didn't go down well after his subpar performances last season, the second-year pro took it upon himself to be the top dog.
And that's a win-win for everybody.
Jaylin Lane - Commanders WR
There aren't many fans who weren't intrigued by Jaylin Lane. Adam Peters couldn't hide his delight when the explosive wide receiver was available at No. 128 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. His unique skill set and outstanding ability to make plays out of nothing can be a major asset to the Commanders.
Lane is confident he can become influential in some capacity. Whether on the pass-catching rotation or in the kick return game, the former Virginia Tech star is eager to impress and catch the eye enough to inspire confidence among the coaching staff right out of the gate.
Commanders fourth-round receiver Jaylin Lane was impressive today. Has 4.34 speed and showed it in OTA. Made two nice catches. He could be a sleeper.
— Rick Snider's Washington (@Snide_Remarks) May 29, 2025
He's off to a good start. Lane has looked the part at OTAs so far, according to those in attendance. The rookie put his blazing speed on full display and made some tough catches look routine. Being matched up against Mike Sainristil is something that's only going to help refine his craft, so expect this trend to continue as the summer progresses.
This is a promising development. The more dynamic playmakers Washington has, the better. Kliff Kingsbury will already be devising ways to get the football into Lane's hands. There are several other mouths to feed, but it's not a bad problem to have by any stretch of the imagination.