Commanders camp just started but rising star is already shining in familiar spot

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and his exceptional coaching staff are putting players through their initial paces at training camp. This is still the bedding-in period, but one not-so-subtle shift surrounding a potential franchise cornerstone has already caught the eye.

Joe Whitt Jr. is demanding more from his cornerback unit this season. Second-year general manager Adam Peters has improved the playing personnel available, spending a second-round pick on Trey Amos and also signing two-time Super Bowl winner Jonathan Jones in free agency.

Noah Igbinoghene got another one-year deal from the franchise after impressing last time around. Four-time Pro Bowl corner Marshon Lattimore also looks healthy, refocused, and explosive after finally ridding himself of the hamstring complication that blighted the early returns of his trade. That is a game-changer in no uncertain terms.

Mike Sainristil is already thriving in the nickel at Commanders training camp

Then, there's Mike Sainristil. The 2024 second-round pick thrived as a rookie, proving no moment was too big en route to becoming a key part of the team's plans. His competitiveness, composure on the biggest stages, and relentless work ethic defied his status as the No. 50 pick. It's early days, but the Commanders already have a huge steal on their hands.

Thanks to the additions made this offseason, the Commanders are moving Sainristil back to the position where he starred in college. Whitt had to move him to the boundary last season after the likes of Benjamin St-Juste, Michael Davis, and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. began to struggle. He took on the challenge and excelled, but his skills are much better suited to the nickel.

With Amos and Jones competing for the starting outside role opposite Lattimore, the Commanders are throwing Sainristil back into the slot. This gives him more flexibility to be instinctive, and Washington will already have several ways devised schematically to maximize his skill set.

Sainristil is already turning heads in his preferred position. Those in attendance noted his superb pass defenses on Day 2 of camp. The Commanders' defense has questions to answer elsewhere, but the coaching staff can relax, safe in the knowledge that they don't have anything to worry about where the Michigan product is concerned.

Jayden Daniels got the lion's share of headlines last season. He was the rookie quarterback who took the NFL by storm. That made Sainristil a relative afterthought in comparison, but nobody who closely followed the team last season underestimated the defensive back's contribution.

And based on Sainristil's early impression at training camp, he's just getting started.

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