Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters did an admirable job of addressing the numerous holes on his roster in free agency. He found projected upgrades at linebacker, edge rusher, safety, and tight end, while also beefing up his team's depth.
One positional group that remains a concern is the Commanders' cornerback unit.
It's up to third-year pro Mike Sainristil and sophomore Trey Amos to live up to their billing. Amik Robertson and Ahkello Witherspoon will also need to make good on the trust Washington has placed in them as supporting pieces.
Commanders' cornerbacks have potential, but we'll see if they measure up to it
Turning Washington's pass defense around will be among the biggest challenges for new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. But there might be more talent there than it seems.
NFL analyst Thor Nystrom of SKOR North sat down with George Carmi and Doug McCray of The Big Doug and Carmi Show to provide some insight into Washington's defensive backs room as pertains to the scheme Jones is projected to run. And he had some interesting things to say.
"I think Trey Amos is a good fit for that scheme, and (Mike) Sainristil, I think it's going to be a different role. He falls beneath the threshold of this defense for a boundary cornerback... I think with this scheme, he fits better inside."
No Cornerbacks, No Problem?
— George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) June 8, 2026
I asked @thorku to give us some insight on potential holes or deficiencies in a Flores/Jones defense. Are there concerns?
He had a compelling answer. Especially at the DB position. @DougMcCrayNFL #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/cmwG1SSgoE
With Amos, the upside is enormous. Last season, he recorded six pass breakups in only 10 games before a fractured fibula ended his rookie year. If there is one player among the Commanders' defensive backs who can turn into a long-term franchise cornerstone, it's him.
Sainristil is more of an enigma, but he can thrive in the right role. Washington has tried using him as a nickel corner to start both of his seasons in the NFL, and each time, he has played better after being moved to the boundary. But that was in Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense.
At his best, Sainristil is a ball hawk who makes impact-caliber plays. Last season, he recorded four interceptions — as many as all of his teammates combined. It's a given that he is going to get beaten on occasion due to his small stature, but the Michigan product can just as easily change the game with the turnovers he forces.
As Nystrom points out, Jones should be able to utilize Sainristil in a similar manner to how the Minnesota Vikings have used Byron Murphy, assuming he runs a similar style of defense to his mentor, Brian Flores. Help from the front seven should also make life much easier on Washington's corners, if all goes according to plan.
The Commanders will need to bring out the best in both Amos and Sainristil in order to roll out at least a competent defense. And there is reason to believe that with Jones making the calls, they can both provide exactly what Washington needs.
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