Cardinals should cover the slot with Mike

Want to defend Lockett, Kupp and Deebo? Michigan’s Mike Sainristil is the guy.

My favorite defensive player in the 2024 NFL Draft is Michigan’s two-time captain and deluxe slot CB Mike Sainristil.

I must confess to be a little biased with regard to Mike Sainristil. He played in the Greater Boston League at Everrett High School MA, under head coach John DiBiaso. Coach DiBiaso turned the Everett program into a juggernaut —- leading the Crimson Tide to 5 Division 1 Super Bowl Championships. Back in the late 1990s, I had the privilege of coaching against John DiBiaso while I was at Arlington H.S. His teams were always extremely talented and well coached.

RB Omar Easy (Chiefs) and TE Dan Ross (Bengals) are former Everett H.S. alums who had notable careers in the NFL —- and most recently S Lewis Cine (Vikings R1 2022 via Georgia) and TE Isaiah Likely (Ravens R4 2022 via Coastal Carolina) have made it to The Show.

Waiting on deck to be the next Everett player to punch his ticket to the NFL is Mike Sainristil. To get recruited to Michigan under Jim Harbaugh was a feat in itself. But then to be named a two-year captain on the Michigan teams that finally found a way to beat Ohio St. two years in a row —-and on a team of destiny this year that won the Big Ten Championship and the FBS National Championship (first Natty for Michigan since 1997).

As mano of you know, after years of watching Tyler Lockett, Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel crush the Cardinals’ secondary often with relative ease, I have been imploring the Cardinals to make drafting slot CBs a priority.

And these days in the NFC West, the Cardinals need two brilliant clot CBs, because of Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Puka Nacua and Brandon Aiyuk.

My favorite defensive players the past two years were Trent McDuffie (Chiefs 2022 R1) and Brian Branch (Lions 2023 R2). Their ability to prevent their opponents from winning the middle of the field in the passing game has helped their teams win their divisions and go deep into the playoffs. McDuffie in year 2 was named to the NFL All Pro 1st Team. He’s played two season and is the proud possessor of two Super Bowl rings. Branch may be headed on a similar path.

2023 PFF Grades:

• Trent McDuffie —- Overall: 84.9 —- Run Defense: 71.8 —- Pass Coverage: 81.5
• Brian Branch —- Overall: 78.9 —- Run Defense: 83.9 —- Pass Coverage: 77.7

Any NFL or college coach would tell you that those pass coverage grades for a slot CB are extraordinary. Covering the slot in the NFL is the most difficult man-to-man assignment.

PFF’s Analysis of Mike Sainristil, 5-10, 182, Michigan

Every NFL team would love to have a player like Sainristil. He brings the skill set and mentality of a starting slot cornerback, with safety and special teams versatility to boot. He should be viewed as one of the top “football players” in this draft, regardless of position.

• Coverage grade: 85.0
• Zone Coverage grade: 83.2
• Gave up 29 receptions on 50 targets for 58% completion rate
• Gave up 4 TDs and snagged 6 interceptions
• Run Defense grade: 65.0
• Passer rating of 71.8

Trent McDuffie is 1 ¹⁄₂ inches taller than Mike Sainristil but check these numbers:

• 40 Time: McDuffie —- 4.47 —- Sainristil —- 4,47
• Vertical: McDuffie —- 38” —- Sainristil —- 40”
• Shuttle: MC Duffie —- 4.05 —- Sainristil —- 4.01.

Mike Sainristil was converted from WR to CB a couple of years ago. When he gets the football in his hands (which he did 6 times last season), he’s a pick-six waiting to happen.

The key thing to know about Mikey Sianristil is that not only does he have the quick feet and ability to apply strong leverage on WRs, he becomes a WR himself when the ball is in the air.

Having only played slot CB and zone CB/S for 2 years, Mikey has to keep polishing up his technique. But all of the skills and instincts are there. Some players seem to have a knack for being at the right place at the right time. I believe that player in this draft is Mike Sainristil.

Should the Cardinals Take Mike Sainristil at pick #27?

Yes.

For the same reasons why the Cheifs took Trent McDuffie at pick #22 in 2022.

Even PFF is picking up the vogue vibes on him —- as they now have him ranked #34 in their Mock Draft Simulator.

It’s such an important position for the Cardinals —- it would be tough to risk whether he would still be on the board at pick #35.

Plus, the Cardinals would be drafting one of the most charismatic leaders in this draft.

Therefore, take Mike Sainristil at #27.

Draft the best pass rusher at #35, like DT Jer’Zhan Newton or 34DE Braden Fiske or ED Chris Braswell.

And then later on draft one of the good, boundary CBs like Renardo Green, Khyree Jackson, Cam Hart or Elijah Jones.

The sooner the Cardinals get Mikey studying tape of Lockett, Kupp and Deebo, the better.