NFL

Commanders draft Everett’s Mike Sainristil with 50th pick in NFL Draft

By Trevor Hass

April 27, 2024

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A pair of Massachusetts natives and Michigan teammates heard their names called at the NFL Draft Friday.

Everett’s Mike Sainristil, a 5-foot-10-inch, 182-pound cornerback, went 50th overall to the Commanders. Zak Zinter, a 6-6, 322-pound offensive guard from North Andover, went 85th overall to the Browns.

Sainristil and Zinter were joined by Boston College cornerback Elijah Jones (90th overall, Cardinals), Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie (75th overall, Bears), UConn offensive guard Christian Haynes (81st overall, Seahawks), and Massachusetts-born Utah safety Cole Bishop (60th overall, Bills) as players with local ties taken in the second and third rounds.

Sainristil’s journey — from Haiti to two-time state champion at Everett High to a national title at Michigan to the NFL — may seem like one made by a long shot to the casual observer. To him, this is all part of the plan, but that doesn’t mean he takes a second of it for granted.

Sainristil, who is preparing for the arrival of his first child in June, is grateful for every milestone.

“I don’t want to call it a Cinderella story, but it’s been great times,” he said. “It’s been a very exciting part of my life. These are moments I’m going to cherish forever, and I know that the future holds a lot more memories.”

Sainristil’s family moved from Port-au-Prince when his father, journalist Carlot Sainristil, received threats following the 2000 presidential election. They found a new home in Everett, where Sainristil blossomed into a star alongside current NFL players Isaiah Likely (Ravens) and Lewis Cine (Vikings).

“It’s a testament to how guys where we come from live with a chip on our shoulder,” Sainristil said. “We know that it’s harder for us to make it out because of how small the eye of football is in our area.”

Sainristil played wide receiver his first three years at Michigan before switching to defense full time two years ago. He tied for third in the nation with six interceptions last year, including a championship-sealing pick against Washington.

Former Alabama coach and current analyst Nick Saban said Sainristil may be, “pound for pound,” the best player in the draft

ESPN analyst Booger McFarland believes Sainristil can play inside and is capable of tackling more physically imposing players.

“Sometimes, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight,” McFarland said. “It’s the size of the fight in the dog. This young man has a ton of fight in him. I think he’s the best nickel back in this draft.”

Much of that fight comes from his parents, who instilled the value of hard work at a young age.

“My mom’s still working, my dad’s still working,” Sainristil told the Globe. “For me, my end goal is for them to not have to work. In due time, that’s going to happen. I love them, and I’m very thankful for them.”

For Zinter, one minute he was living the dream, blocking for quarterback J.J. McCarthy in a thrilling Michigan-Ohio State battle. The next, he was on the ground, in agony, with a broken left fibula and tibia.

Weaving through the hospital felt like a movie scene, as doctors cut his clothes and coach Jim Harbaugh appeared from the curtains for moral support.

“It was kind of a whirlwind, crazy two hours,” Zinter told the Globe. “I knew when it happened I was out for the year.”

Zinter watched as the Wolverines won the national title. It was bittersweet, but he knows it made him stronger in the long run. He described it as the “best worst-case scenario” and said he’s already cleared for everything four months later.

“Would I get drafted higher if it didn’t happen? Yeah, but at the end of the day, it is what it is,” Zinter said. “I’d regret it for my whole life if I would have left last year and they came back and won a natty.”

Sainristil believes Zinter is another Massachusetts guy who plays with an edge and proverbial chip.

“In my opinion, he’s a first-round [lineman],” Sainristil said. “He’s proven that. His talent is amazing.”

Jones, the highest-drafted cornerback in BC history, intercepted five passes in nine games last year en route to all-conference honors. He posted an 89.8 coverage grade a season ago, good for sixth in the country per Pro Football Focus.