Receivers Caught Most Everything Against Mike Sainristil

There’s a lot to like about Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil and there are reasons not to project him highly in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The most important job of an NFL corner is to stop receivers from making catches and preferably, be able to make a play on the ball.

Sainristil is a football player through and through and as much as I like that about him, I can’t ignore the obvious. Pro Football Focus confirmed what I saw on film in these nine games.

2022 (66 targets and 43 catches allowed)

2023 (50 targets and 29 catches allowed)

What are the problems?

Sainristil mostly played nickel (third defensive back who covers the slot inside receiver) on Michigan’s defense.

He’s a role player.

Being a former receiver and his excellent instincts keep him in the mix, but he proved to be much more of an ‘after the fact,’ defender than a game changer. In other words, he was more of a damage-control corner who only usually could secure tackles after the catches had been made.

Hesitation and cushion

Sanristil tends to show slight hesitation when receivers change direction on active routes when the ball is being thrown in his direction and that opens throwing windows for receivers.

This Michigan defensive back allowed far too much cushion for receivers. He gave up some large throwing windows against college-level competition.

That makes me nervous going up to the NFL.

Sainristil’s inexperience as a defensive back really shows up at routes featuring breakpoints ⎯he got killed on these types of routes ⎯he’s guessing.

What does he excel at doing?

Sainristil has above-average long-range speed to keep up on vertical routes (assuming he doesn’t fall into trail position). He put up a 4.47 (40-yard-dash) at the NFL Scouting Combine.

That looks about right on film on straight-line vertical and horizontal routes he is covering.

He’s also a dependable physical tackler (2023: 26 solo and 18 assists), which fits the role of a Nickelback.

Comes up with some big plays

I’m circling back to how instinctual he is for a moment ⎯which is the most intriguing part of his game and what would cause me to recommend him in a round that makes sense.

Sometimes he just happens to be at the right place at the right time and we can’t forget he was a factor in Micigan’s National Championship team.

Past two seasons:

• Seven passes defended, two sacks, and one interception (2022)
• Nine passes defended, six interceptions, two sacks, and two touchdowns (2023)

#0 Mike Sainristil 5-foot-9, 182 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 NFL Draft Grade: Fourth-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 6.9% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of April 6, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Ohio State, Penn State, and Iowa (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2023 game film reviewed: Penn State, Washington, Alabama, Rutgers, Ohio State and Maryland

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Diminutive scrappy nickel with average coverage ability and provides excellent support. Raw in the finer points of the position due to playing receiver for the first three years at Michigan. They were able to cover for him a lot at nickel. Long arms. Featured in man coverage and zone. Excels in zone. Understands route concepts. Smooth initial peddle. Good effort was given to stay in phase. Lacks long-range recovery speed once he is trailing. Tends to be hesitant blitzing. Breaks down vs. blockers. Strong pass and run support. Shows quicker change of direction and much better short-area acceleration coming downhill. These traits don’t show up at route break points, but he showed he has them. Not ready to be a full-time nickel in the NFL.

Final words

Sainristril is a long-term developmental project with nickel upside.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.