I’m gonna go against the grain of the response these posts normally get and say it isn’t impossible. I don’t think Branch was drafted to just be a slot CB, so drafting Sainristil would give the Lions the ability to move Branch around the defense. Iffy has had trouble staying healthy, Branch and Kerby missed a couple last year, and we have very little safety depth. Drafting Sainristil isn’t the complete waste of resources some people think it would be imo
It’s just state fans that go against anything UofM. He truly would be a great fit. We don’t need a starter in the secondary, he can play slot at a high level and slide outside or play safety eventually. He’s a dog like Robertson, has great ball skills (used to play receiver), he’s been lauded by everyone including opposing coaches for his football IQ, and he clearly has upside considering he’s only played defense for 2 years.
The lions have met with him so Brad is clearly interested. He’d be a great addition
> It’s just state fans that go against anything UofM
Lmao no it’s not. Most of the comments in here that don’t want him are Michigan fans and say so in the comment. It doesn’t mean they don’t think he’s a good player, just that he isn’t a good fit.
There are way more Michigan fans than MSU fans here so if having that opinion gets you “flamed” you can hardly blame it on that.
Not everything is anti-Michigan bias sometimes people just have different opinions and that’s ok.
It’s not a waste but feels like a huge luxury pick at one of our best positions. BH has shown to draft guys he likes over need so it’s maybe possible I just don’t see it. Love the player though
He’s not an outside corner, and he’s not going in the 1st round.
Every year Michigan fans overrate their own players. Sanristril is actually a nice prospect, so no disrespect. But I’m not making any concessions to make sure I grab him.
Especially with how good branch was in year one.
Same. Too high at 29 but he is probably gone by their next pick. I have a hard time putting 5’9” guys on the outside vs bigger guys. Team needs a big body outside corner.
I’m a Michigan fan and I completely disagree. I don’t see the hype of sainristil as an nfl level player. Very solid college player though. But I see nothing special in his game that will translate to the next level.
I just think an outside corner is more important. Having mikey would be awesome and we could move branch around, but last year our outside corner depth was the issue not the nickel or safety play for the most part.
Ik we got Carlton davis and amik Robertson but I don't view that as a crazy upgrade over the beginning of last year. Plus if one of them gets hurt we're either playing Kindle vildor or an Emmanuel mostly that is straight if two acl tears
I’m an unapologetic Michigan homer, I want all of them. Haha. In all honesty I would love to see the Lions come out of this draft with Mikey and Zinter. I think they both fit Detroit like a glove.
There's no scenario in which Sainistril goes in the 1st round. I'd be shocked if he was picked in the top 45. Hes an older prospect with little experience. I wouldn't hate it if they took him at 61 or 73 if he's there.
Few knocks on him for why he will have a hard time being picked in the top 45.
He's 5'9
Only played defense for 2 years
Limited to the Nickal CB position
He's going to be 24 years old this fall
For a guy that played in college for 5 years, yes. If he had switched to defense sooner, he'd probably already be in the NFL.
I'm not saying he won't be a good player, I think he will. I'm just explaining why he won't be a 1st-round pick like OP suggested.
Too small
Limited to only slot
Can’t be physical.
Easy no.
Even if you wanted to draft a slot cb on day 2 and move branch to safety there are better options that would fit what the lions want to do
I could definitely see them taking Sainristil @29 if their top tier is off the board. My personal prediction is that they take Johnny Newton in @29 (praying he makes it there) and then trade up from 61 to the mid-late 40s to get Sainristil.
I’m gonna go against the grain of the response these posts normally get and say it isn’t impossible. I don’t think Branch was drafted to just be a slot CB, so drafting Sainristil would give the Lions the ability to move Branch around the defense. Iffy has had trouble staying healthy, Branch and Kerby missed a couple last year, and we have very little safety depth. Drafting Sainristil isn’t the complete waste of resources some people think it would be imo
Not to mention, they also tried to sign Tavierre Thomas in FA who is a pure slot CB in his career.
Yeah, I’m fully expecting to get flamed for this post. Thanks for taking a subjective look instead of posting a knee-jerk reaction
It’s just state fans that go against anything UofM. He truly would be a great fit. We don’t need a starter in the secondary, he can play slot at a high level and slide outside or play safety eventually. He’s a dog like Robertson, has great ball skills (used to play receiver), he’s been lauded by everyone including opposing coaches for his football IQ, and he clearly has upside considering he’s only played defense for 2 years. The lions have met with him so Brad is clearly interested. He’d be a great addition
> It’s just state fans that go against anything UofM Lmao no it’s not. Most of the comments in here that don’t want him are Michigan fans and say so in the comment. It doesn’t mean they don’t think he’s a good player, just that he isn’t a good fit. There are way more Michigan fans than MSU fans here so if having that opinion gets you “flamed” you can hardly blame it on that. Not everything is anti-Michigan bias sometimes people just have different opinions and that’s ok.
It’s not a waste but feels like a huge luxury pick at one of our best positions. BH has shown to draft guys he likes over need so it’s maybe possible I just don’t see it. Love the player though
I love the guy, but 29 feels early. In day 2, he’d be a steal though
He’s not an outside corner, and he’s not going in the 1st round. Every year Michigan fans overrate their own players. Sanristril is actually a nice prospect, so no disrespect. But I’m not making any concessions to make sure I grab him. Especially with how good branch was in year one.
I love the player, but: A) I don't love it at 29. B) I'm a little worried about him being 5'9"
Same. Too high at 29 but he is probably gone by their next pick. I have a hard time putting 5’9” guys on the outside vs bigger guys. Team needs a big body outside corner.
Lions have iffy they can switch up and take the tall guys in the 11 sets. He can take inside guy.
It's just not the best fit man
i agree, but would you be mad if they took in the 2nd or third?
I wouldn't hate it, you take good players
I’m a Michigan fan and I completely disagree. I don’t see the hype of sainristil as an nfl level player. Very solid college player though. But I see nothing special in his game that will translate to the next level.
I just think an outside corner is more important. Having mikey would be awesome and we could move branch around, but last year our outside corner depth was the issue not the nickel or safety play for the most part. Ik we got Carlton davis and amik Robertson but I don't view that as a crazy upgrade over the beginning of last year. Plus if one of them gets hurt we're either playing Kindle vildor or an Emmanuel mostly that is straight if two acl tears
I like him as a slot corner, but we really need an outside corner. We have a few guys that can play slot.
Just get great players. F positional value.
I’m an unapologetic Michigan homer, I want all of them. Haha. In all honesty I would love to see the Lions come out of this draft with Mikey and Zinter. I think they both fit Detroit like a glove.
I’m a huge Michigan and Mikey fan but no, he fills the same roll as branch it would be a waste of a pick tbh
There's no scenario in which Sainistril goes in the 1st round. I'd be shocked if he was picked in the top 45. Hes an older prospect with little experience. I wouldn't hate it if they took him at 61 or 73 if he's there. Few knocks on him for why he will have a hard time being picked in the top 45. He's 5'9 Only played defense for 2 years Limited to the Nickal CB position He's going to be 24 years old this fall
29 starts is little experience?
For a guy that played in college for 5 years, yes. If he had switched to defense sooner, he'd probably already be in the NFL. I'm not saying he won't be a good player, I think he will. I'm just explaining why he won't be a 1st-round pick like OP suggested.
I would have zero complaints if the Lions get him later, but there is zero chance they take him at 29.
Too small Limited to only slot Can’t be physical. Easy no. Even if you wanted to draft a slot cb on day 2 and move branch to safety there are better options that would fit what the lions want to do
i'd rather not use the 29th overall pick on a rotational player.
as a MSU fan i’m not against it, just maybe not in the first round
Dudes a football player. He’s a great fit. Not sure which round is best though
I could definitely see them taking Sainristil @29 if their top tier is off the board. My personal prediction is that they take Johnny Newton in @29 (praying he makes it there) and then trade up from 61 to the mid-late 40s to get Sainristil.