Entering the 2025 season, Washington Commanders’ second-year cornerback Mike Sainsristil was seen as a foundational piece of an improving defense.
As a rookie, the Michigan product lived up to his second-round draft pedigree, finishing top 10 in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year balloting.
Sainristil's prospects looked very good. He had been forced to play out of position during his rookie campaign. For the 2025 season, Washington had prototypical perimeter corners in Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos slated to start, allowing him to move back to his more natural slot position.
At least that was the conventional wisdom.
Commanders need to dechiper Mike Sainristil's best role and stick to it
None of it played out that way during his second year. Sainristil regressed. The defense around him regressed. And now, headed into his third professional season, there are more questions than answers surrounding one of Washington’s most important young players.
The biggest question surrounds where Sainristil is best suited.
His physical profile, his football IQ, and his general toughness all seem to scream slot corner. Sainristil lacks the length and straight-line speed of a classic perimeter player. His quickness and agility, along with his ability to diagnose plays, would seem to make him an ideal inside option.
But the eye test has been pretty clear over his first two seasons.
Sainristil simply looks far more comfortable playing on the perimeter. If that is the case, so be it. The Commanders need to put him in one position and let him master it. It appears that moving him around during his first two years has impeded his growth.
This is one more reason why finding the right defensive coordinator as soon as possible is essential. A change in scheme, along with possible changes in position coaches, will have a big impact on a player like Sainristil. The sooner those changes are implemented, the better for everyone.
The regression from his rookie campaign to his second year was obvious. Pro Football Focus dropped his grade by almost 15 points – a major reduction. The numbers bear out the grade.
Despite playing more snaps, he had fewer tackles and pass breakups. His yards per target conceded went up. Completion percentage and opposing quarterback rating went up. He was targeted fewer times but gave up more receptions.
These numbers were not the most disturbing part of his regression. Sainristil's tackling was even more troubling.
Since college, Sainristil has been known as a tough tackler who plays bigger than his size. However, he missed far more tackles in his second season, and at times, he looked physically overmatched. At 5-foot-10 and 182 pounds, the Commanders need to start asking questions about this issue.
Sainristil has proven to be as tough as they come. He has been durable. And he is not much smaller than several solid slot corner tacklers. But the Commanders need to figure it out soon.
Apart from Sainristil and Amos, they have no other reliable options at cornerback signed through 2026. They will need to make some difficult personnel decisions.
They may need a new safety tandem. They certainly need pass-rush help. Those personnel moves should help Sainristil regain his form and develop into the player he appeared to be during his rookie season.
Of course, the most important thing will be to determine where Sainristil fits best, and then do everything possible to ensure he thrives in that position.
After that, it will be up to the player to justify the Commanders’ faith.