Steelers 4-round mock draft after trading Diontae Johnson
By Tommy Jaggi
Mike Sainristil. 3. Cornerback. . Mike Sainristil. . Mike Sainristil. player. 485.
Steelers mock draft round 3: Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
When you dissect all the prospects set to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, there might not be a player who fits the mold of a Pittsburgh Steeler more than Mike Sainristil. The standout Michigan cornerback is a fiery competitor who can aggressively come downhill to tackle the ball carrier or take the ball away from opposing quarterbacks.
Sainristil's size (5'9 1/2'' and 182 pounds with 30 7/8'' arms) could cause him to slip a bit on Day 2, but this will benefit Pittsburgh if he falls this far. Despite his lack of size, Sainristil is a natural athlete with tremendous instincts and ball skills. He recorded a whopping 6 interceptions in his breakout season for the Wolverines in 2023.
Sainristil barely saw the field at Michigan until his fourth college season in 2022, and at 23, he's one of the older prospects this year. Still, the Steelers can ignore these things to get one of the best slot cornerbacks in the draft.
Even after swapping WR Diontae Johnson for CB Donte Jackson, Pittsburgh has a severe need at the position. Mike Sainristil would slide perfectly into the nickel cornerback role and would be an upgrade at the position for the Steelers from Day 1.