Commanders’ Mike Sainristil: ‘I thought I was going to the Steelers at 51’

As little as the media and other teams know about where prospects will be drafted, sometimes even the players themselves don’t know.  Often lost in the shuffle among other prospects, players fall and rise on draft weekend for a multitude of reasons.  But for CB Mike Sainristil, he went in the draft area he expected, […]

Rob Gregson — NFL News Writer
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Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil celebrates a play against Washington during the second half of the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

As little as the media and other teams know about where prospects will be drafted, sometimes even the players themselves don’t know. 

Often lost in the shuffle among other prospects, players fall and rise on draft weekend for a multitude of reasons. 

But for CB Mike Sainristil, he went in the draft area he expected, but not to the team he thought: 

Sainristil Thought He Was A Steeler

mike sainristil
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was not expecting it to be the Commanders. I thought I was going to the Steelers at 51. But I felt my phone vibrating, I looked down, there was a Virginia number. I’m like, ‘Man, who the heck from Virginia’s calling me right now?'” Sainristil said in his post draft presser. “I pick up the phone and right away, my heart was just, I felt at ease. I felt at peace. My mind was finally at peace. When I met with Coach Quinn here in Michigan, the meeting we had, everything about it was good.”

An ideal fit in Pittsburgh’s secondary, Sainristil approached the pre-draft process with the exact traits that Pittsburgh desires. 

He even modeled his game after former Steeler nickel Mike Hilton, who has yet to be replaced in the all important role. 

Pittsburgh had to play Minkah Fitzpatrick out of position for the majority of last season, leaving some to think he regressed between injury and a lack of ball production. 

In reality, the Steelers were just asking a Ferrari to drive under 40 miles per hour. Drafting Sainristil would have changed that, but I’m sure Pittsburgh is more than confident in who they took 51 via center Zach Frazier.

But Sainristil had reason to believe Pittsburgh was his landing spot. “My agent was telling me for a while if i fall to 51 and the steelers had a chance to get me – the GM really liked me at 51… i was just thinking I might fall to pittsburgh,” added Sainristil.

In the end, all parties involved are happy. Sainristil lives out his dream, the Commanders get a day one starter for their new regime and Pittsburgh selected their center of the future.