Wolverines in the NFL: Mike Sainristil one of the biggest 'draft steals' in 2024
Former Michigan Wolverines football defensive back Mike Sainristil is having an impressive rookie season for the Washington Commanders, who selected him 50th overall in the second round. Sainristil is coming off yet another big game, this time leading the Commanders with 7 tackles and forcing a fumble that he recovered in a 42-19 win over the Tennessee Titans.
Prior to the weekend, The 33rd Team named Sainristil the fourth-biggest “draft steal” in 2024, behind only Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean.
“The Commanders have slipped recently, but at 7-5 and in solid wild card contention in the NFC, the team’s performance is among this season’s biggest surprises,” analyst Jeff Diamond wrote.
“The significant improvement in pass defense from last ranked in 2023 to No. 4 this season has played a major role in the team’s rise from a four-win team last year.
“Sainristil was a second-round pick (No. 50) and is a starting corner with 61 tackles, one interception and nine passes defensed. He’s a versatile player with excellent speed and ball skills and will be a future leader for the Commanders as he was a team captain on Michigan’s national champs last year.”
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 13:
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Erick All (played at Michigan from 2019-21), TE, Cincinnati Bengals
Racked up 20 catches for 158 yards, starting six of nine games for the 4-7 Bengals … Suffered a torn ACL Nov. 3 and will miss the remainder of the season.
AJ Barner (2023), TE, Seattle Seahawks
Scored the second touchdown of his rookie season in a 26-21 win over the New York Jets … Hauled in 2 grabs for 24 yards in the win … Totaled 20 receptions for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns with 8 first-down grabs in nine games with six starts for the 7-5 Seahawks.
Ronnie Bell (2018-22), WR, free agent
The former Michigan wide receiver was waived by the 49ers last Friday, after he has made just 2 catches for 22 yards in nine outings.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Started in a 26-23 overtime win over the Carolina Panthers … Opened all 12 games at left guard for the 6-6 Buccaneers, posting a 55.6 overall PFF rating … Allowed 22 pressures and no sacks in pass protection this season.
Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Cleveland Browns
Registered 5 tackles, including 1 for loss, in a 41-32 loss to the Denver Broncos Monday night … Tallied 57 tackles, including 4 for loss, and 1 sack with 1 pass breakup in 12 outings with eight starts for the 3-9 Browns.
Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB, Seattle Seahawks
Rushed 4 times for 28 yards and a touchdown and caught 2 passes for 13 yards in a 26-21 victory over the New York Jets … Attempted 75 rushes for 266 yards and hauled in 29 catches for 204 yards with 6 total touchdowns (5 rushing, 1 receiving) in 12 games with two starts.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
The former Michigan wideout reeled in 8 receptions for 119 yards in a 23-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars … Ranks eighth in the NFL with 832 receiving yards on the season, despite playing in only eight games since he missed time with injury … Tallied 49 receptions with 4 touchdowns for the 8-5 Texans, who stand atop the AFC South.
Junior Colson (2021-23), LB, Los Angeles Chargers
The former Michigan linebacker is currently on injured reserve with an ankle injury, but head coach Jim Harbaugh said he’s expected to return at some point this season … Has 14 tackles and 1 pass breakup in six bench appearances on the season.
Blake Corum (2020-23), RB, Los Angeles Rams
Tied his career high in rush attempts (8), going for 42 yards (5.3 yards per carry) in a 21-14 win over the New Orleans Saints … Tallied 37 rushes for 148 yards and caught 4 passes for 31 yards in 12 games for the 6-6 Rams.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
The former Michigan defensive end made 4 tackles in a 18-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Black Friday … Registered 28 tackles, including 2 for loss, and 1.5 sacks with a pass breakup and forced fumble in eight games with as many starts for the 11-1 Chiefs.
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 end posted 2 tackles and laid 1 hit on the quarterback in a 30-17 win over the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving … Started all 12 games for the 9-3 Packers, notching 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits.
Graham Glasgow (2012-15), OL, Detroit Lions
Opened all 12 games for the 11-1 Lions … Started a 23-20 win at left guard over the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving … Has a 57.5 overall PFF rating for the season, and he’s allowed 21 pressures with 2 sacks.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Tore his tricep Nov. 24 and is out for the season, which might be his last in the league … Recorded 20 tackles, 6 stops for loss, 3.5 sacks, 7 quarterback hits, 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble in 11 games with one start for the Eagles.
Jaylen Harrell (2020-23), OLB, Tennessee Titans
Posted 2 tackles in a 42-19 loss to the Washington Commanders … Played in 12 outings, registering 12 tackles, including 2 for loss, this season for the 3-9 Titans.
Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Rushed once for no yards in a 17-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons to improve to 8-4 … Had 14 rushes for 26 yards, 1 touchdown and 6 first downs in 12 games.
LaDarius Henderson (2023), OG, Houston Texans
On the “reserve/non-football injury” list, having undergone foot surgery in July.
Dax Hill (2019-21), CB, Cincinnati 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
The former Michigan defender played on special teams in a 41-32 loss to the Denver Broncos … Posted 7 tackles in 11 games.
James Hudson III (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns
On the injured reserve … Hasn’t played since Sept. 29, his fourth appearance of the season.
Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns
Made a tackle for loss in a 41-32 loss to the Denver Broncos Monday night … Tallied 16 tackles, including 4 for loss, along with a half-sack in eight games with two starts.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DE, Detroit Lions
Out indefinitely with a broken fibula and tibia suffered Oct. 13 at Dallas … He has 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
Made a career-high 6 tackles in a 44-38 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … The former Michigan defensive tackle has totaled 23 tackles, 1 stop for loss and a sack in 10 appearances with four starts for the 4-8 Bengals.
Trevor Keegan (2019-23), OG, Philadelphia Eagles
Hasn’t made his NFL debut.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan cornerback posted 3 tackles, including 1 behind the line of scrimmage, in a 27-20 win over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving … The Cowboys have won two-straight games since late-September / early October … Registered 45 tackles, 2 stops for loss, 4 pass breakups and a forced fumble in 11 outings with eight starts for the 5-7 Cowboys.
J.J. McCarthy (2021-23), QB, Minnesota Vikings
Set to miss the entire season with a knee injury suffered in preseason … Underwent a second surgery in November.
Braiden McGregor (2020-23), EDGE, New York Jets
Inactive for the second-straight week and sixth game of the season … Made 4 tackles in six games.
Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts
Competed on special teams in a 25-24 win over the New England Patriots … Seen action in six games, making 2 tackles.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
The former Michigan safety made a season-high 10 tackles in a 23-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Totaled 71 tackles, including 2 for loss, with 3 quarterback hits, 3 pass breakups, 1 interception and a forced fumble in 12 contests with six starts for the 10-2 Vikings.
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Joe Milton (2018-20), QB, New England Patriots
Yet to make his NFL debut.
Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers
Went 1-of-3 on field goals in a 35-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills in snowy conditions … He’s 19-of-25 on field goals in nine games this season for the 5-7 49ers.
Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks
Inactive for a 26-21 win over the New York Jets … Appeared in 10 games, making 5 tackles.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Played but didn’t record any stats in a 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Registered 5 tackles and a sack in nine games for the 8-5 Ravens.
Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks
Started at center in a 26-21 triumph over the New York Jets … Opened the last three games at center and appeared in five on the season, recording a 64.1 overall PFF grade.
Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Allowed his first sack of the season while starting at right guard in a 25-24 setback to the Indianapolis Colts … Opened all 13 games for the 3-10 Patriots, including the last six at right guard.
Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts
The former Michigan defensive end registered 3 tackles and a half-sack in a 25-244 win over the New England Patriots … Tallied 33 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 6 sacks and a forced fumble in 11 games with as many starts for the 6-7 Colts.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots
Played for the first time since September after being taken off the commissioner’s exempt list … Made a season-best 9 tackles in a 25-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts … Competed in five games, starting all of them, and totaling 32 tackles and 2 pass breakups with a tackle for loss.
Josh Ross (2017-21), LB, Seattle Seahawks
The former Michigan captain made a tackle in a 26-21 win over the New York Jets … Seen time in 12 games overall, including five with the Seahawks after being waived by the Baltimore Ravens, and has made 2 tackles with his new team.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints
The former Michigan offensive lineman started at right guard in a 21-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … Opened all eight games in which he’s played for the 4-8 Saints.
Jon Runyan (2016-19), OG, New York Giants
Started at left guard in a 27-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys … Opened all 12 outings with a 55.3 overall PFF rating for the 2-10 Giants.
Mike Sainristil (2019-23), CB, Washington Commanders
The former Michigan national champion forced a fumble that he recovered and made 7 tackles in a 42-19 win over the Tennessee Titans … Tallied 68 tackles, including 1 for loss, and 9 pass breakups in 13 outings with 12 starts for the 8-5 Commanders.
Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan tight end hauled in 5 catches for 33 yards in a 27-20 win over the New York Giants … Fourteen of his 22 receptions on the season have come in the last three games … Totaled 200 yards and a touchdown in 12 games with four starts.
Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys
Made 3 tackles, including a half-sack, and a quarterback hit in a 27-20 win over the New York Giants … Started all 12 games for the 5-7 Cowboys, recording 31 tackles, 3 stops for loss, 2 quarterback hits and a half-sack.
Benjamin St-Juste (2017-18), CB, Washington Commanders
Made 2 tackles in a 42-19 win over the Tennessee Titans … Started all 13 games, with 62 tackles, 7 pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Andrew Stueber (2017-21), OT/G, Cincinnati Bengals
Appeared in four games, mostly on special teams, but did not play against the Steelers this past weekend.
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
Went down with a clavicle injury and was placed on injured reserve Nov. 19 … Racked up 29 tackles, 8 pass breakups and a tackle for loss in 11 games with six starts.
Joshua Uche (2016-19), LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Logged 5 snaps (4 special teams, 1 defense) in a 19-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders … Made 12 tackles and 2 sacks in 12 games this season, including five after being traded from the New England Patriots to the Chiefs.
Ben VanSumeren (2018-20), LB/FB, Philadelphia Eagles
Placed on injured reserve after missing this weekend’s game with a knee injury … Totaled 3 tackles in 11 games with one start … Has played offense, defense and special teams this year.
Josh Wallace (2023), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Saw 1 defensive snap and 15 special teams plays in a 21-14 win over the New Orleans Saints … Played in 12 outings with two starts this season, making 2 tackles and a pair of pass breakups.
Roman Wilson (2020-23), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Missed the beginning of the season with an ankle injury, appeared in two games with no stats but was placed on the injured reserve Oct. 28 (hamstring).
Zak Zinter (2020-23), OG, Cleveland Browns
Saw time on special teams in a 41-32 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … Competed in 12 games with three starts for the 3-9 Browns.
