From the moment the Washington Commanders selected cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. with the 16th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to his release on November 30, less than two seasons later, things never quite felt settled or entirely right.
Questions concerning his height (6′ 1″ and 166 pounds) and potential outcomes when facing NFL opposition sparked the outcry against Forbes and the Commanders.
During his rookie season, which included many benchings for Forbes and a humiliating performance in Week 4 when Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown hammered Forbes for nine receptions, 175 yards, and two touchdowns, the answers to those questions came quickly.
During the 2024 regular season, Emmanuel Forbes faced ongoing scrutiny, missing a month after suffering a thumb injury in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Now a free agent, the former Mississippi State standout addressed his release on his X account, posting “Job 8:7-17” accompanied by two prayer hands emojis. The scripture, as cited by BibleGateway.com, states: “Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.”
Forbes Likely to Find a New Team Soon
Forbes isn’t expected to remain unemployed for long, as several teams could use additional cornerback depth during the final stretch of the season.
As of Week 13, Bleacher Report identified the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, and Cincinnati Bengals as teams with cornerback listed as their “biggest weakness.”
Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder specifically noted, “The Vikings likely weren’t thrilled with how close Sunday’s win over the Bears turned out. Once again, Minnesota’s secondary looked like a liability.”
Commanders ought to have attempted trading Forbes.
If Washington general manager Adam Peters didn’t at least try out a few trades for Forbes, it could be considered a dereliction of duty. Peters was probably attempting to entice another team to exchange a late-round pick for the player who set the FBS record with six interception returns for touchdowns.
The Commanders’ inability to persuade a team to offer even that for a Top 20 choice just a year prior may have more to do with the offseason’s constant barrage of publications disparaging Forbes’ physique and his four-year, $15.4 million deal than it does with his actual skill level.
On October 17, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell remarked, “First-round picks aren’t usually on the trade block less than halfway through their second NFL season, but Forbes is an exception.” He added, “On Washington’s depth chart, he’s likely the sixth cornerback. He’s owed over $6 million across the next three years, money the Commanders might prefer to allocate elsewhere. However, for a team that still sees Forbes as the dynamic playmaker he was in college, three years of a young corner at $6 million is a bargain.”
In his rookie season, Forbes played 14 games with six starts, recording 38 tackles, one interception, and 11 pass deflections. Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded his first year at 50.9 overall, with a run-defense grade of 28.9, the lowest among NFL cornerbacks.
In 2024, Forbes has a PFF grade of 35.4 through six games, allowing seven receptions on nine targets while securing one interception.
