What Emmanuel Forbes brings to the Commanders

Forbes played for three seasons at Mississippi State under the late, great Mike Leach, and was a consensus All-American as well as an All-SEC first-teamer in 2022, his junior year. He holds the FBS record for most interceptions returned for touchdowns, with six.

Forbes is a playmaking "ball hawk" corner, which is exactly what Washington needs. Despite having a stingy defense that gave up the third-fewest yards and eighth-fewest points per game, the Commanders were near the bottom of the league in forced turnovers with only 18. Forbes is small, at only 6'1" and 166 lbs. But his speed is certainly a strength, as he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash at the combine last month. His draft profile is not that dissimilar from former Washington legend Darrell Green.
 
Head coach Ron Rivera and GM Martin Mayhew certainly aren't concerned about Forbes' lack of size. "He played against some big-time receivers, big-time quarterbacks (in the SEC)," said Rivera.

Per Mayhew, "When you watch his tape you don't know that he's that light. He doesn't look like that on tape. He doesn't play like that."

It's unclear what Forbes' role will be to start the season, as Washington has starting corners in Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste locked in. It is possible one of them could move into the slot, or Forbes could start out as a rotational player. But he will certainly get his chances to prove himself.

Regardless, he's a player Commanders fans should be excited about. If he pans out, he will add a missing dimension to the team's defense and could help take Washington to the next level.