Regardless of who you talked to or what draft grades you trusted, the Philadelphia Eagles had an excellent 2023 NFL draft. The Eagles landed Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter at No. 10 overall after some called him the most talented player in the draft.
The Eagles went back to the defending national champion Bulldogs to pick Edge defender Nolan Smith toward the end of the first round.
The New York Giants also had a successful draft, building around quarterback Daniel Jones while adding a key starter on defense.
The Dallas Cowboys added help throughout the draft, while the Washington Commanders focused on specific positions. Washington chose defensive backs with its first two selections and followed that up by taking a pair of offensive linemen.
So which NFC East rookie will make the biggest impact in 2023?
Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports recently named 10 rookies who will make the most significant impact in 2023.
No surprise, Vacchiano had Carter at No. 1. Surprisingly, he had Giants’ third-round pick, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt.
At No. 3, he named Washington cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.
If you can get past his size (6-foot-1, 166) the only thing standing in the way of Forbes’ impact potential is that the Commanders’ starting corners from last year — Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste — are both back. But even if they stay in the lineup, Forbes will see plenty of action as the nickel corner.
And that, in fact, could enhance his value. With Fuller and St-Juste locked onto the better receivers, Forbes will have more of a chance to roam and do what he does best — go get the ball. That’s what the Commanders want. They don’t need him to lock down bigger NFL receivers. They need him to be the guy who had six interceptions last season, 14 in three years, and an NCAA Division I record six Pick-6s.
He’s not likely to be that productive as a rookie. But he’ll be put in position to get his hands on plenty of errant passes, which could transform a Washington defense that was already pretty good.
Forbes has impressed throughout the offseason since arriving in May. He stood out in OTAs and the minicamp last week. While Forbes will undoubtedly have ups and downs, he’ll have every chance to use his playmaking ability for the Commanders defense.
Three rookies from each of the other teams made the list, with only Forbes making it for Washington.
