With the trade deadline closing in, Mike Sainristil has emerged as one of the Washington Commanders’ names to watch - but not because a deal is close.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that there is “certainly no fire sale happening in Washington.” Even so, he said veteran edge Dorance Armstrong and former second-round nickel Mike Sainristil came up as possible trade names if the Commanders decide to move anyone, adding that the team “haven't engaged with teams on Sainristil and do want to keep working with him to get him out of his rut.”
That last part matters. Washington still appears invested in trying to get something more out of Sainristil, even as his role has shifted sharply this season. He has been used on defense and special teams, but his cornerback snaps have dropped, and most of his recent work has come in the kicking game.
The Commanders had plenty of reason to be encouraged when they took him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. His rookie year brought nearly 100 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He followed that with another solid season, finishing with four interceptions and another forced fumble.
This year, though, the picture has changed. Sainristil is currently the worst cornerback in the NFL by PFF grade, and he is no longer viewed as one of Washington’s top options at the position. That combination is what makes him a logical trade candidate if the Commanders can land meaningful draft capital in return.
For now, though, the situation sounds more like a possibility than a plan. Washington has not started trade talks on Sainristil, and the team still wants to keep working with him.
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