Hogs Haven
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Breaking down what the Commanders are getting from their second round cornerback
Now the first thing you’re probably wondering with a player that undersized is can he handle the physicality of the NFL and is he capable of actually making tackles at the next level? That was one of the strongest parts of his game.
Being undersized meant that teams consistently tried to challenge him to make tackles and prevent giving up big plays after the catch. Sainristil routinely proved he was up to that challenge, even on the biggest stage.
First and foremost, he has to sort out the releases from the bunch set and figure out which receiver is his to cover. He correctly sorts through the receivers and attaches to the correct one, who breaks out to the flat. Sainristil does give up separation on the cut to the flat, but he does protect the first down marker. The receiver gives a little ground to come back to the ball and secure the pass, which gives Sainristil the opportunity to break down and make the tackle. The receiver does his best to try and break the tackle, but Sainristil wraps him up on his own and brings him down short of the chains.
He started his career as a receiver.
Sainristil was known as one of the best players on Michigan’s dominant defense, but that wasn’t always the case. Prior to his senior year, most of his time was spent on the other side of the ball.
Sainristil came to Michigan as a top 100 cornerback prospect and the best high school player in Massachusetts. Despite being the Gatorade Player of the Year at the position, the Wolverines put him at receiver, and the former four-star recruit had his moments on offense. His first touchdown came during his freshman year, when he hauled in a 26-yard catch against Notre Dame.
Sainristil became more ingrained in Michigan’s offense from there. He made three starts in the team’s COVID-shortened six-game season, recording two touchdowns and averaging 11.7 yards per catch. The 2021 season was his best as a wideout, accounting for 312 yards and two scores. That was the year he grabbed a career-high 51-yard pass against Rutgers and scored a touchdown in the Big Ten Championship.
Even after he made the position switch, Sainristil still had his skills as a pass-catcher. They were what helped him stand out to the Commanders.
“He was incredible doing the DB drills,” said general manager Adam Peters. “And then he was the best one on offense doing the receiver drills, outstanding route runner, outstanding ball skills, and he could just go all day.”
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