Everett player Mike Sainristil is already a star with the Washington Commanders

A slot defender, who pairs with a player between the offensive tackle and receiver, was once considered a specialist. Those days are over. Nickel packages, with five defensive backs and just two linebackers, are the norm. The Washington Commanders, under coach Dan Quinn, are giving the slot defender a name that befits his importance: star.

Sainristil, 23, a former state champion at Everett High, played a similar position at Michigan. At less than 5 feet 11 inches and 180 pounds, he is smaller than most players. Washington didn’t let that deter him, drafting him in the second round in April.

General manager Adam Peters and his staff identified 20 promising players with distinctive characteristics and labeled them “commanders.” Assistant general manager Lance Newmark wouldn’t elaborate on what those qualities were, but said each player with that label was “our kind of guy.”

The staff deemed Sainristil worthy of the draft, going 50th overall. The Commanders seem optimistic about his readiness. While they have shuffled players throughout the secondary and depth chart, Sainristil has played the most “star” role. The team believes his combination of explosiveness and intelligence has prepared him for an early and demanding role.

“I don’t consider myself a small player, but I’m not 6-foot-10 and I’m not 200 pounds,” Sainristil said. “So I think for me it’s just about playing with my quickness, playing with my speed to be able to get out of blocks. Hitting fast, getting out of those blocks and then not being afraid to tackle but getting up and playing with my protections.”

He showed off his skills in his first preseason game, outwitting an offensive lineman and tracking down New York Jets receiver Malachi Corley.

The commanders, as they did with all prospects, looked at Sainristil’s size during the pre-draft evaluation, defensive backs coach Tommy Donatell said. But his film in the Big Ten, known for his physicality, dispelled any concerns. Donatell called Sainristil “one of the best football players I’ve seen on tape.”

Sainristil posted 11th percentile height and weight numbers compared to all cornerbacks drafted since 1999, according to MockDraftable. He countered that with a 91st percentile broad jump and 88th percentile vertical jump.

This athleticism seems to play even faster because of his decision-making ability.

“This guy is a triggerman,” Donatell said. “When he sees something, he goes for it; there’s no hesitation in his game.”

Consider Sainristil’s interception against Rutgers earlier last season. Sainristil jumped to the left side and bounced off a teammate. Another one knocked him down. Most of the players on the field stopped, thinking the play was over. Meanwhile, Sainristil weaved through a horde of bodies en route to a 71-yard touchdown return.

He finished the year with six interceptions, tied for third in the nation, and excelled later as games became more important. He forced two fumbles in Michigan’s Big Ten title game win over Iowa, had six tackles against Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinals and intercepted Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. to help the Wolverines win their first national title since 1997.

Former Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban raved about ESPN’s coverage of the NFL draft after Sainristil was selected.

“This guy might be the best pound-for-pound football player in the draft,” said Saban, a former Kent State defensive back who also coached the position for many years. “I mean, he’s instinctive, he’s physical, and I know he’s not very big, but I’ll tell you one thing: This guy makes plays. . . . He killed us in our blitz game, he just killed us coming off the edge as a star.”

Sainristil said his speed comes from his ability to recognize snaps before the game. He narrows down potential plays for the offense based on formations and alignment. His previous offensive experience — he started in Ann Arbor as a receiver — makes that elimination process easier.

His football intelligence impressed the commanders. They noticed how quickly Sainristil could translate information from the meeting room to the pitch.

“For a young child to hear that once, maybe go through it once, and then, ‘bam,'” Donatell said, punctuating her remarks with a snap of her fingers, “it comes rushing in. That’s a good sign.”

A behind-the-scenes video released by the team underscored Washington’s love for the Wolverine. In the draft war room, Quinn told principal owner Josh Harris that Sainristil would be “great” playing inside as the 50th pick approached. Peters told the coach that the Cincinnati Bengals, who had the 49th pick, were taking another player from Michigan. Quinn responded by pounding the table with both fists and yelling, “Yes!”

Sainristil has tried to emulate several smaller defensive backs who have thrived in the pros: Buffalo’s Taron Johnson, Cincinnati’s Mike Hilton, Kansas City’s Trent McDuffie and Indianapolis’ Kenny Moore II. Moore and Hilton, both 5’9″, ranked first and third among defensive backs in tackles for loss last season, according to TruMedia.

And those slot players can make an immediate impact. Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks and Brian Branch of the Detroit Lions finished fourth and fifth in Associated Press voting for defensive rookie of the year last season.

Slot matchups are very different than they were a decade ago. The archetypal slot receiver is no longer Wes Welker, a five-time Pro Bowl selection thanks to his flexibility. Offenses are turning to physically imposing “power slots” to create imbalances, particularly in the run game.

Sainristil will face some tough challenges. He will make his regular season debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have one of the league’s top receivers in Chris Godwin (6’1″, 200 lbs).

Other potential matchups with receivers who do a lot of damage from the slot: Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (Week 6), Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (Week 8) and Dallas Cowboys superstar CeeDee Lamb (Weeks 12 and 18).

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