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Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB

Adam Peters is being well rewarded for his leap of faith to make Mike Sainristil the 50th player taken in this year's draft. Not that the 24-year-old cornerback hadn't earned his share of pre-draft plaudits as a key member of Michigan's national title-winning defense in 2023.

Sainristil was still a gamble for the Washington Commanders. Not least because he was a little older than most rookies, but more because he played a niche role as a slot defender tasked with inside coverage and blitz responsibilities along the line of scrimmage.

The rookie defensive back has ticked some of those boxes for Washington's defense. He's been in on 68 tackles, including one stop for loss, and blitzed four times. Those are decent numbers, but Sainristil has made a greater impact in an unexpected role. Namely locking up receivers on the perimeter.

Breaking up nine passes and allowing an average of 8.2 yards per target shows the strides Sainristil has been making on the boundary. His rapid emergence outside the numbers is more than just a happy bonus for the Commanders.

Sainristil's ability to thrive away from the slot could help create a shutdown pairing. That's thanks to the expected return from injury of in-season trade acquisition Marshon Lattimore.

The four-time Pro Bowler appears on track to finally make his Commanders' debut against his former team the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. Lattimore's inclusion in the lineup is another reason why Sainristil can continue on an upward trajectory.

He should expect more passes to come his way from quarterbacks reluctant to test proven commodity Lattimore. Being targeted more often will make for a tough learning curve for Sainristil, but he'll get plenty of chances to hone his craft.

Another member of the 2024 class already knows his basic craft well but has further room for improvement in Year 1 of his professional career.