Nick Saban has strong words for Commanders' draft decision: 'He killed us in our game'
There are very few people who receive the benefit of the doubt every time they speak about something related to football and Nick Saban is easily one of those people. That's why so many Washington Commanders fans should be hyped up when it comes to what he said about Mike Sainristil, the team's second pick […]
There are very few people who receive the benefit of the doubt every time they speak about something related to football and Nick Saban is easily one of those people.
That's why so many Washington Commanders fans should be hyped up when it comes to what he said about Mike Sainristil, the team's second pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft:
"There's a difference between love and love – and I love this guy," Saban said on ESPN's broadcast of the NFL Draft. "I mean, this guy may be the best football player, pound-for-pound, in the draft. He's instinctive, he's physical, and I know he's not very big, but I'll tell you what: This guy makes plays, he can cover, he can tackle, he's tough, and he's a fast reactor.
"I just love the way this guy plays. He's a good blitzer – [he] killed us in our game blitzing, I mean just killed us coming off the edge as a STAR. He's a STAR, that's what he should play – nickel."
And, of course, Saban is right in the idea of Sainristil playing nickel. That's exactly what he should in the Commanders defense and it makes all the sense in the world.
But not only does he fill a position of need, he allows second-year safety, Quan Martin, to move to centerfield full-time, which is a better situation for him.
The most underrated aspect of the Sainristil pick though, and it's not his former WR background, is the fact that he's a culture guy – a guy that will come in and help Dan Quinn instill the culture he's obviously been trying to build since free agency started. That may be the biggest key in 2024 – building a culture and creating an identity.
Either way, Sainristil will be right in the thick of things by making plays and leading his teammates. The Commanders absolutely knocked this pick out of the park.
