Tag: Commanders 2024 Draft Class

Commanders Ben Sinnott ‘super excited’ to play for Kingsbury, Quinn

Ben Sinnott is excited about the opportunity to play in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.

Commanders rookie Ben Sinnott says he was just showing up and had no idea what number they were going to give him.

I wanted the player to make the number, so it didn’t matter what they were going to give me, “said Sinnott to Bryan Colbert Jr.

The former Kansas State tight end, drafted 53 overall by Washington, was a guest with Colbert Jr. on another episode of “Raising Hail with the Rookies.”

Here are Ben Sinnott’s Kansas State highlights:

The Commanders issued No. 82 to Sinnott. Many will recall TE Logan Thomas wore No. 82 for his four seasons in Washington (2020-23). Logan Paulsen, another Washington tight end, also wore 82 (2010-14).

GM Adam Peters called Sinnott to inform him the Commanders were selecting him and immediately compared him to 49ers TE George Kittle. Sinnott, born and raised in Iowa, says he has watched and admired Kittle for years, who played at Iowa.

Sinnott actually started ice skating and playing hockey as young as three. Sinnott said the hockey “definitely brought that toughness, attitude, physicality.”

The rookie said in the early workouts he has noticed the coaches and players already “revolving around Dan Quinn. He’s such a natural leader, bringing the guys together and bringing the energy. He challenges us to compete in everything.”

How about his new OC, Kliff Kingsbury? “I’m pumped; I mean, look at all the guys he has developed, getting tight end touches. I’m super-excited to fine-tune my craft and see what he has planned for me.”

Commanders rookie Hampton wanted to play for Dan Quinn

The rookie safety always admired Dan Quinn’s defense and wanted to play for him.

Rookies need to learn everything in the rookie minicamp.

Commanders safety Dominique Hampton said this is exactly what he did in hopes of helping himself in next week’s OTA workouts.

Hampton sat down with Bryan Colbert Jr. for an interview on “Command Center” regarding his efforts to make the team.

Hampton was drafted No. 161 overall out of the University of Washington. He expressed to Colbert that defensive coaches have Hampton learning two positions (safety and dime back). For those wondering, a nickel back is the 5th defensive back, and the dime back is the 6th defensive back on the field.

“I’ve been watching Dan Quinn’s defense and how he runs it, and I just feel like I fit what my position says because I am going to glove up tight ends, and I’m going to be physical in the run game.”

Hampton stated that prior to the draft, he told his mom if he could go to the Commanders, he felt like it would be a good fit for him. When he received the phone call on Day 3 of the draft, his phone screen read “Ashburn Virginia,” and he thought, “Ain’t no way!”

When the phone call was completed, the first person he told was his mom. He praised his mom for working two jobs while his dad was in the military. His mom, proud of Dominique, began crying as they embraced.

Hampton is not naive. Being drafted 161 overall, he said, “This is going to be a trip, but we are going to do it…I’m learning the new ropes…just competing as Dan Quinn preaches competing all the time.”

He has his feet on the floor, evidenced by his statement to Colbert that he knows special teams will be his way to the field. He also mentioned that while in the state of Washington, he had the opportunity to train with former Seattle Seahawk linebacker Bobby Wagner.

Hampton realizes it won’t be easy to make it in the NFL, declaring, “Hard work doesn’t skip anybody. If you want to get where you want to go, hard work is going to be the tool to get you there.”

Chris Cooley film review of Commanders’ DB Mike Sainristil

Cooley is a big fan of rookie CB Mike Sainristil.

Chris Cooley was asked by Kevin Sheehan to perform a film evaluation of four Commanders’ draft choices.

Cooley appeared on Sheehan’s podcast episodes on Thursday and Friday with those film reviews (Johnny Newton, Mike Sainristil, Luke McCaffrey, Brandon Coleman).

The former Redskins’ tight end and color analyst on the team’s radio broadcast really likes the Commanders’ choice of Michigan slot corner Mike Sainristil.

Here are some selected quotes from Cooley’s film breakdown:

“He’s an awesome athlete: great feet, great hips.”

“To me, he’s a smart zone cover guy. He does a great job getting depth in his drops, reads the eyes of the quarterback very well. He’s capable and able to drive on the football.”

“I think he does an excellent job finding the ball in coverage; he does a really good job playing the ball.”

“He’s not a P.I. guy; he’s well-trained, technically very good. He has great hands; had six interceptions, two were pick-sixes.

“He’s a really good tackler, a consistent tackler…he can be very physical as well…he was a big-time blitz guy for Michigan.”

“He is what Scot McCloughan would have called ‘a football player.’ I was super impressed.”

“Some of my concerns? His ability to play man coverage; his ability to press and then run and play man coverage. But they are drafting a man that fits them perfectly in what they want.”

“He can be over-aggressive in attacking receivers in their routes; double moves could be a problem potentially. At times, you see him taking risks, and it paying off…the risk/reward on some of this is big time.”

I think he is a big-time football player for them. I think he is going to be really helpful.”

It’s easy to see why Nick Saban would say that (“best pound-for-pound player in the draft“)… He’s a really versatile dude…really good at shedding blocks in space and getting off of blocks.”

“He has a really good understanding of football. I am sure Mike Sainristil is going to be a good football player. He is worth the second-round draft pick. I am sure of it.”