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Wolverines in the NFL: Game slowing down for rookie Mike Sainristil, who had a career day

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•10/22/24•

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Mike Sainristil
Former Michigan Wolverines football nickel back Mike Sainristil is impressing with the Washington Commanders. (Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Former Michigan Wolverines football nickel back Mike Sainristil took some lumps early in the season, but he’s beginning to play at a much higher level in his rookie campaign.

Sainristil posted below-average PFF grades in the coverage category in his first four games (below 64.0), but has bounced back with better marks in each of the last three — 66.9 in Week 5, 77.6 in Week 6 and 88.1 in Week 7.

The 88.1 coverage rating in this past weekend’s 40-7 blowout win over the Carolina Panthers was the fifth-best among NFL cornerbacks in Week 7. He was targeted 5 times but allowed just 3 catches for 16 yards. Sainristil added a career-high 7 tackles, including 1 behind the line of scrimmage.

That performance came one week after the former Michigan standout grabbed the first interception of his NFL career, on defending MVP Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens. Sainristil led Michigan with 6 picks last year, including 2 that were returned for touchdowns.

The 5-foot-10, 182-pounder is starting to turn a corner as his rookie season nears the midway point.

“Well rounded,” former Washington cornerback Fred Smoot said of Sainristil, serving as an analyst on ‘The John Keim Report’ podcast. “Well rounded in the sense of, I get get physical with the best of them. I can most definitely run with them, inside or outside. But he also has this mental capacity to understand situations, and it’s starting to slow down for him.

“That’s what I’m starting to see — a guy that’s not as anxious, a guy that’s not really playing with his hair on fire, uncontrolled chaos. It’s controlled chaos.

“And I think this is happening to him as the game is slowing down, his view of the game is playing. He makes that play in Baltimore, being Johnny on the spot. That’s what I expected him to be, but I also expected a learning curve.”

Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 7:

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Erick All (played at Michigan from 2019-21), TE, Cincinnati Bengals

Targeted once but did not have any stats in a 21-14 win over the Cleveland Browns … Played in seven games with five starts for the 3-4 Bengals, hauling in 16 receptions for 102 yards.

AJ Barner (2023), TE, Seattle Seahawks

Caught 1 pass for 5 yards in a 34-14 win over the Atlanta Falcons … Opened two of seven outings for the 4-3 Seahawks, totaling 8 receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown.

Ronnie Bell (2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers

The former Michigan wide receiver had his second catch of the season for 10 yards in a 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs … Two grabs for 22 yards in six games off the bench this year for the 3-4 49ers.

Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Started at left guard in a 41-31 setback to the Baltimore Ravens Monday night … Posted a 74.6 overall PFF rating and team-high 83.2 grade in run blocking … Allowed a team-worst 4 pressures in pass protection … Started all seven games for the 4-3 Buccaneers.

Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Cleveland Browns

The former Michigan unanimous All-American registered 2 tackles in a 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Racked up 25 tackles in seven appearances with three starts for the 1-6 Browns.

Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB, Seattle Seahawks

The former Michigan and UCLA running back carried 8 times for 19 yards and caught 1 pass for a loss of 5 yards in a 34-14 victory over the Atlanta Falcons … Notched 57 rushes for 206 yards and 3 touchdowns and 20 receptions for 144 yards and a score in seven games with two starts for the 4-3 Seahawks.

Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans

Currently out with a hamstring injury … Started all five games in which he’s appeared for the 5-1 Texans, with 32 receptions for 567 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Junior Colson (2021-23), LB, Los Angeles Chargers

The rookie tied his career high with 4 tackles in a 17-15 Monday night loss to the Arizona Cardinals … Played in four games off the bench, recording 12 tackles and a pass breakup.

Blake Corum (2020-23), RB, Los Angeles Rams

Recorded 11 yards on 3 rushes in a 20-15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders … Had 16 rush attempts for 64 yards, with 6 of them resulting in first downs, in six appearances for the 2-4 Rams.

Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Hasn’t played since Oct. 7 due to a pectoral injury … Registered 14 tackles, 3 quarterback hits, 1 tackle for loss and a half-sack while starting all four games that he played in before getting hurt.

Chris Evans (2016-18, ’20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Out for season (knee injury).

Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers

The former Michigan defensive lineman registered 5 tackles, 3 quarterback hits and his second sack of the season in a 24-22 win over the Houston Texans … Has 19 tackles, including 2 for loss, 2 sacks, 6 quarterback hits and a pass breakup while opening all seven games for the 5-2 Packers.

Graham Glasgow (2012-15), OL, Detroit Lions

Second on the team with an 81.8 PFF pass-blocking rating in a 31-28 win over the Minnesota Vikings to stand atop the division and No. 1 in the NFC … Graded out a dismal 43.9 overall per PFF … Started at left guard and played all 57 offensive snaps in the win … Opened all six games for the 5-1 Lions, including one at center due to an injury to Frank Ragnow, who’s since returned.

Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles

The former Michigan defensive end did not have any stats in a 28-3 win over the New York Giants … Played in six games with one start for the 4-2 Eagles, tallying 10 tackles, 2 stops for loss, 1 sack and 2 quarterback hits.

Jaylen Harrell (2020-23), OLB, Tennessee Titans

Notched 1 tackle — a stop behind the line of scrimmage — in a 34-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills … Totaled 5 tackles in six games off the bench for the 1-5 Titans.

Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Los Angeles Chargers

Had a key first down on fourth-and-1 and totaled 2 carries for 2 yards in a 17-15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals Monday night … rushed 7 times for 18 yards with 4 first downs in six games for the 3-3 Chargers.

LaDarius Henderson (2023), OG, Houston Texans

On the “reserve/non-football injury” list, having undergone foot surgery in July.

Dax Hill (2019-21), CB, Cincinatti Bengals

Suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 5, after totaling 25 tackles and 2 pass breakups as a starter at cornerback.

Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Cleveland Browns

Made 1 tackle in a 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Registered 4 tackles in six games for the 1-6 Browns.

James Hudson III (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns

Earned three starts in four appearances … Has played both left and right tackle … Hasn’t played since Sept. 29.

Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns

Made a tackle, registered a half-sack and added a quarterback hit in a 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Seen time in three games for the 1-6 Browns.

Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DE, Detroit Lions

Despite missing the last game-plus, Hutchinson still ranks third in the NFL with 7.5 sacks … Out indefinitely with a leg injury that required immediate surgery in an Oct. 13 win at Dallas … Tallied 19 tackles, 7 stops for loss, 7.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits and a forced fumble while opening five tilts.

Kris Jenkins (2020-23), DT, Cincinnati Bengals

Didn’t record any stats in a 21-14 win over the Cleveland Browns … Totaled 6 tackles in five outings with two starts for the 3-4 Bengals.

Trevor Keegan (2019-23), OG, Philadelphia Eagles

Yet to make his NFL debut.

Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys

Had a bye over the weekend … Recorded 19 tackles and 3 pass breakups in six clashes with three starts for the 3-3 Cowboys.

J.J. McCarthy (2021-23), QB, Minnesota Vikings

Set to miss the entire season with a knee injury suffered in preseason.

Braiden McGregor (2020-23), EDGE, New York Jets

The former Michigan EDGE hasn’t played since Sept. 19 … Competed in three games, tallying 2 tackles.

Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts

On the injured reserve list but has been labeled as “designated for return.”

Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings

The former Michigan safety logged 8 tackles, 2 quarterback hits and a forced fumble in a 31-29 loss to the Detroit Lions … His punch out of the football on running back David Montgomery led to a scoop and go-ahead score late in the game, but his team wasn’t able to hang on … Played in six games with three starts for the 5-1 Vikings, totaling 34 tackles, 1 stop for loss, 3 quarterback hits, 3 pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Joe Milton (2018-20), QB, New England Patriots

Hasn’t seen game action as a rookie.

Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers

Went down with a high-ankle sprain on a kickoff Oct. 6 and is expected to miss multiple weeks … He’s 14-of-14 with a 53-yard long on field goals and 12-of-12 on extra points through five games.

Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks

Played but did not record any stats in a 34-14 win over the Atlanta Falcons … Seen action in seven games off the bench, with 4 tackles.

David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens

The former Michigan outside linebacker played but didn’t have any stats in a 41-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … Competed in six tilts, totaling 5 tackles, 3 quarterback hits and a sack.

Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks

Played six special teams snaps in a 34-14 win over the Atlanta Falcons … That marked his second appearance of the season for the 4-3 Seahawks … He’s yet to play on offense this season, and has only done so four times in his two-year career.

Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots

Started at right tackle in a 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London … Started all seven games for the 1-6 Patriots.

Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts

Made 1 tackle in a 16-10 win over the Miami Dolphins … Tallied 14 tackles, 4 quarterback hits, 3 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in five games, starting each time, for the 4-2 Colts.

Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots

The former Michigan Heisman Trophy finalist posted 23 tackles and 2 pass breakups while starting four games before being charged with alleged assault, strangulation and drug possession and landing on the NFL’s commissioner’s exempt list … Franchise owner Robert Kraft said Peppers will be “gone” from the team if the allegations wind up true, but the team is waiting to confirm the facts.

Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Cincinnati Bengals

On injured reserve with a leg injury he suffered in mid-August.

Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints

Missed the last four clashes with a knee injury, after opening the first three … Head coach Dennis Allen said Monday that Ruiz has a chance to return this week.

Jon Runyan (2016-19), OG, New York Giants

The former Michigan offensive lineman started at left guard in a 28-3 loss to the New York Giants … Opened all seven contests at left guard for the 2-5 Giants.

Mike Sainristil (2019-23), CB, Washington Commanders

The former Michigan cornerback notched a career-high 7 tackles, with 1 coming behind the line of scrimmage, adding 1 pass breakup in a 40-7 destruction of the Washington Commanders …

Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys

Had a bye … Caught 8 passes for 56 yards in six appearances with one start.

Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys

Had a bye … Opened all six games, registering 13 tackles.

Benjamin St-Juste (2017-18), CB, Washington Commanders

The former Michigan and Minnesota cornerback totaled 1 tackle in a 40-7 win over the Carolina Panthers … Competed in seven games with as many starts, compiling 30 tackles, 7 pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers

On the injured reserve with a forearm injury that has held him out of every game so far.

DJ Turner II (2019-12), CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Made 4 tackles and a pass breakup in a 21-14 win over the Cleveland Browns … Started the last two games with Hill out for season with injury, and has appeared in all seven for the 3-4 Bengals … Made 20 tackles and 4 pass breakups.

Joshua Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots

The former Michigan outside linebacker didn’t have any stats in a 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars … Totaled 14 tackles, including 2 for loss, 2 sacks and 3 quarterback hits in seven outings with one start for the 1-6 Patriots.

Ben VanSumeren (2018-20), LB/FB, Philadelphia Eagles

Saw time on special teams and five snaps on offense, switching to fullback … His five offensive snaps netted 60 rushing yards … He’s made 3 tackles in six games.

Josh Wallace (2023), CB, Los Angeles Rams

Started for the second consecutive game, and notched his first career pass breakup in a 20-15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders … Tallied 2 tackles and a pass breakup in six games with a pair of starts for the 2-4 Rams.

Roman Wilson (2020-23), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Didn’t play in a 37-15 win over the New York Jets Sunday night, due to a hamstring injury … Made his NFL debut the week prior but didn’t have any catches, after suffering an ankle injury during training camp.

Zak Zinter (2020-23), OG, Cleveland Browns

The former Michigan offensive lineman played as an extra offensive lineman and on special teams in a 21-14 setback to the Cincinnati Bengals … Seen time in seven outings with three starts for the 1-6 Browns.

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