Quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels wasn't the only rookie to flourish for the Washington Commanders this season. Mike Sainristil's exceptional contribution represented another major boost for this ambitious long-term project.
Sainristil was seen as an undersized nickel specialist during his pre-draft assessments. The talent and leadership were never in question at the collegiate level. However, something prevented teams from taking the plunge with their first-round selections.
That worked in the Commanders' favor. The war room was overjoyed when Sainristil fell into their laps at No. 50 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Based on his outstanding efforts since, it's not hard to see why.
The former Michigan team captain won the starting slot cornerback role immediately. The coaching staff were forced to pivot due to the woeful performances of those operating on the boundary.
Sainristil switched to the outside. This represented a big risk considering his slender frame, but the transition was seamless. He thrived, taking on the challenge of facing some of the league's best and never backing down. It wasn't perfect, but his first-year efforts represent an exceptional foundation from which to build moving forward.
Jeremy Chinn lauds Mike Sainristil's impact on Commanders defense
This sentiment was echoed by Jeremy Chinn. The standout safety had nothing but praise for Sainristil, lauding his outstanding performances and the way he conducts himself during the week. Something that saw the defensive back go from an intriguing draft pick to a core foundational piece sooner than expected.
"He's a star. I'm super happy for him, super proud of him. Just from the day he stepped foot in this building, the way he carries himself and the way he's come into work. And you guys can see it on Sundays. He plays bigger than he is. I mean, he's aggressive. He has great vision; great eyes and he trusts his instinct. He trusts what he sees, and he makes a play."Jeremy Chinn via Commanders.com
Sainristil's 76 solo tackles ranked third among all cornerbacks according to Pro Football Focus. He gave up 60.4 percent of targets in his direction and a 96.7 passer rating when targeted. More impressive than any statistic was the fire he brought on every play.
The Commanders wanted to find players with the right mentality. Sainristil ticks those boxes and more. He's ferocious, operating with controlled aggression and explosiveness. Once veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore gets a full offseason under his belt, this could be a tremendous outside pairing for head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to depend upon.
The best thing about Sainristil is his mentality. There will be no complacency from the player. He'll be striving with everything he has to build on this positive momentum. If the Commanders strengthen other defensive position groups effectively, this unit could be a force to be reckoned with in 2025.
Sainristil deserves endless credit. He was one of general manager Adam Peters' crowning jewels from a draft class that came with significant promise. And the best part? This is only the beginning.