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First-Rover Commanders Are “Under Pressure” to Perform in Year Two

Saying that a single game may ruin a career is unfair, especially if it happens to be your debut season.

However, for some reason, the talk surrounding Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes invariably returns to the team’s 2023 Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

It’s reality, fair or unfair. Additionally, Forbes is among the players PFF’s Sam Monson believes will be under pressure to perform well in their second season, given the 2023 first-round pick (No. 16 overall) had a very difficult rookie campaign.

“The Washington Commanders drafted Emmanuel Forbes at No. 16 overall last year despite his weight of just 166 pounds at the NFL Combine, demonstrating that the NFL has been far more willing in recent years to push the boundaries of size thresholds,” Monson said. “During Week 4, Forbes devoted a significant amount of his time to covering A.J. Brown, who weighs 226 pounds, which is almost 60 pounds more than Forbes’ weight at the NFL Combine. Forbes was subsequently benched later in the season after it went about as well as you might have predicted (10 targets, six catches, 147 yards, and two touchdowns only to that matchup).

Forbes, a free agent signee who spent the previous seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, is now listed on the depth chart as Michael Davis’ backup after the latter appeared in 14 games with six starts in 2023.

Forbes’ SEC College Career Set Records

With six career interceptions returned for touchdowns, Forbes set the NCAA record and was a highly sought-after talent out of Mississippi State.

Despite running a scorching 40-yard sprint in 4.35 seconds at the 2023 NFL combine, Forbes’ size was a major concern going into the selection.

Forbes has the potential to develop into a highly sought-after cornerback because he is long, mobile, and skilled at taking the ball away, according to NFL expert Lance Zierlein. His wire-thin frame, nevertheless, does not help him. His thin frame and weak tackle strength will put him at the center of the opposition’s running game. Forbes has the potential to start quickly if he produces quality ball, but teams may have to accept some inconsistent play.

As expected, Forbes became a target on running plays and finished 2023 rated at 50.9 percent overall and 28.4 percent against the run, according to PFF. With 338.1 yards allowed per game, the Commanders’ team defensive ranking in the NFL was also the lowest.

Could the Captains Still Cover the Gap at Cornerback?

Forbes may not be able to gain the weight necessary to play cornerback in the NFL at any point this season. Even if he might have gained a few pounds, he doesn’t seem to be heavier than 175 pounds going into training camp. That puts him well short of his ideal weight by at least 15 to 20 pounds.

Washington still needs a cornerback badly, and Forbes is not expected to put on forty pounds of muscle very soon, according to Monson. “Therefore, as an undersized player entering his sophomore season, he needs to improve quickly in order to succeed at this level, especially in a division that has some big and talented receivers.”