Commanders Sophomore Corner Labeled Prime Breakout Candidate

The Washington Commanders took a lot of pride in their defense this past season, especially their ability to defend the pass.

And one of the reasons they were able to do that was some solid play from a key rookie.

In a recent article by PFF's Bradley Locker, he puts together a team full of players that he thinks could step up in a big way in 2025. And one of the players he lists is Commanders young defensive back Mike Sainristil.

"While playing out of position at outside cornerback in his rookie season, Sainristil registered a 65.8 overall PFF grade with a 64.5 PFF coverage grade," Locker wrote. "The Commanders took Trey Amos in the second round, which should enable Sainristil to slide back inside — where he thrived at Michigan... Sainristil’s strong on-ball production and tight coverage should only augment with him back in the slot in 2025."

The Commanders traded for veteran corner Marshon Lattimore at the deadline this past season, but he only played two games due to injury. But Sainristil was able to step up in a big way in his first year to give the team a much-needed boost at the position.

The 24-year-old defensive back finished his rookie season with a very impressive number of tackles for a corner with 93, with 62 of them being solo. But he was also able to show his impressive ball-hawk skills with a pair on interceptions and 14 passes defended.

If Sainristil can continue to improve, then he and Lattimore could make the Commanders' secondary even scarier than it already was.