Will the Washington Commanders be buyers or sellers at next week’s NFL trade deadline? We’ve heard Washington floated as a possibility for Colts receiver Josh Downs and Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Defensive tackle Daron Payne was often mentioned as a potential Washington player on the move, but his season-ending foot injury last week ended any chance of a trade.

At 2-4-1, the Commanders are in a weird position. Their current record doesn’t sound like a contender, but they are only 2.5 games behind the New York Giants in the NFC East, and they play in two weeks. The Commanders may look to add a player, but they could also move a player or two no longer in their plans.

One player who comes to mind is cornerback Mike Sainristil. The 2024 second-round pick looked like a potential Pro Bowl-type player as a rookie, but his play tailed off badly last season. A new defensive coordinator gave the Commanders hope that Sainristil could turn things around. However, it didn’t take Washington long this season to realize Sainristil had become unplayable.

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated mentioned Sainristil as a potential trade option for the Detroit Lions.

“And then a different type of corner--this is one people at Michigan will be familiar with--Mike Sainristil with the Washington Commanders,” Breer said, via Josh Helmer of Lions Wire.

“I’m not saying again that the Commanders are looking to move him, but he’s somebody that the more people I’ve talked to, the more it seems like he could be available as sort of like a little bit of a reclamation project. He’s got outside-inside versatility. He’s probably better inside, but he’s somebody that you could add to your secondary. Again, would that be a little redundant with Branch? You’ve got to play Sainristil a little bit outside more than maybe you want to. Is that a functional thing? Those are the questions you’ve got to answer, but I think Mike Sainristil could be somebody the Lions could look at. So, they’re certainly looking for help at that position.”

A trade to the Lions would return Sainristil to the state of Michigan, where he starred for the Michigan Wolverines, helped them win the 2023 national championship, and earned All-American honors.

After starting 31 of 34 games in his first two seasons, plus all three playoff games, Sainristil has started just two games this season. He's played in all seven games, but has mostly been related to special teams duty over the last three games. Sunday's win over the Eagles was the first time in his three-year NFL career that Sainristil did not play one defensive snap.

A change of scenery could probably benefit both sides.