The Washington Commanders are starting a new this season with a new regime in place. It is going to take for Washington this season and for years to come in what they want to build. The Commanders’ fanbase feels optimistic with Ron Rivera out the door and with the old front office also out.
Dan Quinn and Adam Peters are leading the way for this franchise. Two rookies to watch out for this season are quarterback Jayden Daniels and defensive lineman Johnny Newton. Newton was the 36th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders out of Illinois. There will be other rookies who hope to contribute this season for the Washington Commanders.
Washington Commanders Second-Round Pick Mike Sainristil Picked As a Rookie Sleeper This Season By CBS Sports
Sainristil was a second-round pick (50th overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Michigan. CBS Sports Chris Trapasso wrote an article about picking a rookie sleeper for each NFC team entering the 2024 NFL season.
He wrote:
“Turns out Sainristil was initially playing the wrong position at Michigan. The former receiver turned slot defending annoyance will be a welcomed addition to a Commanders secondary that only snagged eight interceptions all season in 2023, which tied for the third-lowest in football. Sainristil had six alone as captain on Michigan’s national title-winning campaign, and tested like an elite-level athlete for the increasingly valuable slot corner spot at the combine.
He will be a most frustrating element of Washington’s defense for every offensive game plan and a portable piece for Quinn. With his smaller size, extreme explosiveness, and speed — not to mention a blue-collar work ethic through blockers and through the whistle, Sainristil will be an instant asset as a blitzer. He generated a pressure on nearly 30% of his 38 pass-rushing snaps last season for the Wolverines.”
CBS Sports also mentioned an impressive stat to know about him as follows:
“4.47 in the 40-yard dash, 40-inch vertical, and broad jump in the 91st percentile among cornerbacks.”
Last season with the Michigan Wolverines, he won a national title with the program. In 15 games played, he had 44 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sacks, six interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, six pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.
Mike Sainristil hopes to be one of the other starting cornerbacks on the Washington Commanders roster this season. Emmanuel Forbes will be one of the starting cornerbacks. The defense needs to get better this season.
