"Listed at 5-foot-10 and 183 pounds, cornerback Mike Sainristil is the smallest player on the Washington Commanders' roster. That has never been seen as a problem because of the Michigan product's savvy and toughness. But as Sainristil has struggled for much of this season, questions about his size have started to crop up. The common wisdom was that Sainristil would thrive this year because he would be able to move to his more natural slot corner position."
"He was forced to play on the perimeter in 2024 due to injuries. A healthy Marshon Lattimore and talented rookie Trey Amos would take over on the outside in 2025, and Sainristil would move inside, where his ability to diagnose plays would make him a force in the middle of the field. At least, that was the plan."
"Sainristil has been part of the Commanders' defense that has severely regressed in 2025. He has not been the main culprit, but he has been a part of the collapse. After missing seven tackles all of last season, he has missed six in 2025. That has driven his missed-tackle percentage up to over 10 after hovering around seven as a rookie."
"Now that the Commanders have lost both Lattimore and Amos, Sainristil is once again being asked to move outside. The Week 11 matchup with the Miami Dolphins marked his first 2025 game on the perimeter. Results were mixed. Miami came into the game prepared to run the ball. They were often in 12 personnel with double tight ends, and many times went even further by bringing in an extra offensive lineman."
Mike Sainristil is listed at 5-foot-10 and 183 pounds and has relied on savvy and toughness to play cornerback. A planned move to slot corner in 2025 was expected to suit his diagnostic skills, but injuries and roster changes forced him onto the perimeter. The Commanders' defense regressed in 2025, and Sainristil's missed tackles rose from seven last season to six so far, increasing his missed-tackle percentage above 10. With Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos now unavailable, Sainristil returned to the boundary for Week 11, facing heavy run looks and tight personnel groupings.
Read at Riggo's Rag
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