Suppose you doubted how much the Washington Commanders loved former Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes before the 2023 NFL draft. In that case, you should check out Commanders Log, Episode 4, on the team’s official website.
The Commanders liked Forbes so much that they considered moving up in the draft to select him. Head coach Ron Rivera decided to stand pat, and Forbes fell in Washington’s laps at No. 16.
Everyone was happy. Sure, anytime the TV shows a team’s war room, you see the customary hugs, smiles, handshakes and back-slapping, but for Washington, it was real. The episode detailed the Commanders’ process with Forbes, from interviewing him at the NFL combine to his flying to Washington after the draft to meet coaches and fans.
One of the most happy folks in Washington was defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. Rivera sought out Del Rio to inform him that Forbes was the pick, and Del Rio was elated.
At this week’s OTAs, Del Rio spoke to the media, and the first question he received was about Forbes.
“Really fired up about getting him, adding him to the squad,” Del Rio said. “I think he’s a tremendous football player. You know, he’s fast. He’s got great ball skills. He’s very bright, and he played against some of the best competition that you can in the SEC and held up week in and week out was a playmaker. Very productive. So happy to get ’em.”
Del Rio isn’t often this effusive in his praise of a rookie.
Starting at the rookie minicamp last month, Forbes made his presence known, and that’s continued throughout OTAs. The Commanders have worked Forbes some inside this week, but make no mistake; his NFL future is at outside cornerback.
LIVE: DC Jack Del Rio speaks with the media after today's OTA https://t.co/UDu5M9lTwx
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 1, 2023
