The Washington Commanders selected Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes at No. 16 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. Washington selected Forbes with Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez still on the board.
While many wanted the Commanders to take an offensive lineman at No. 16, they were smart not to reach for someone like Anton Harrison once the top four offensive linemen were off the board.
How did others view Washington’s selection of Forbes?
We’ve comprised a list of draft grades for the Commanders from various outlets regarding their selection of Forbes.
Yahoo Sports: C+
Forbes has a chance to be a sticky man cover corner in the league, but he weighs only 166 pounds, which is concerning. That’s small for an NFL player, no matter how you cut it. Talented player, just worry about the size. Grade: C+
The Athletic: B
The Commanders’ defense needed a quality corner, and there were plenty available. Instead of opting for at least two higher-rated all-around corners, Washington chose the ultimate playmaker.
There’s no better pure cover corner in the draft than Forbes, who recorded 14 interceptions and defended 35 passes in three seasons at Mississippi State. Forbes returned six picks for touchdowns to set an FBS record and averaged 27.9 yards per interception return. His quickness, ball skills and speed (4.35 in the 40) are astounding.
But — there’s always a but — Forbes weighed just 166 pounds at the combine. He has long arms (32 ¼ inches) and a great wingspan (79) but looks more like a long-distance runner rather than an NFL player. Still, his size didn’t prevent him from tackling or attacking much larger players. Some teams avoided Forbes because of his weight, but his cover skills are special. Nah, they’re elite.
Grade: B
Sports Illustrated: C
With Christian Gonzalez and Joey Porter Jr. still on the board, the Commanders went with Forbes, who drew concerns from draft experts because he weighs 166 pounds. But Forbes has outstanding instincts and is a savvy playmaker with 14 total interceptions in college. Washington needed help in the secondary, but perhaps it chose the wrong cornerback. —*G.M.*
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports: A
I love this kid. He has good length, but he is lean at 170 pounds. Even so, he will throw his body around. But you draft him because he’s an elite cover player who fills an immediate need. He is going to upgrade an already good defense.
Bleacher Report: F
Bleacher Report believed Washington should have taken Will Levis:
Let’s count the ways the Washington Commanders made a mistake by drafting Forbes with the 16th overall pick.
For all of Forbes’ talent, he’s still a 170-pound (or less) defensive back, and how he’ll hold up at the professional level is in question, especially since he does play with reckless abandon.
Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez, Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. and a plethora of higher-rated cornerbacks were still on the board.
Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department graded Forbes as the 103rd overall prospect.
The Commanders had a legitimate first-round quarterback in Kentucky’s Will Levis fall into their laps and passed.
Ron Rivera’s squad did need an upgrade at cornerback. Forbes has a good skill set. But too many other questions come into play for this pick to make any sense, especially with Gonzalez coming off the board one selection later.
Grade: F
PFF: Average
Pick Grade: Average
The 26th-ranked player on PFF’s big board, Forbes displayed an elite ability to play the ball in college. He produced an 87.2 PFF grade in 2022 and finished his three-year career at Mississippi State with 14 interceptions and 17 pass breakups.
ESPN: No grade, just analysis
ESPN didn’t grade the first round but analyzed each pick. Here’s what they said about Forbes:
Why they picked him: The Commanders needed a playmaker. Forbes tied for third in the nation with five interceptions and led the country by returning three for touchdowns. Forbes intercepted passes off tipped balls and bad throws. The Commanders liked how well he read the quarterback and his route recognition, allowing him to be effective in their zone match system. The Commanders like their current corners Benjamin St-Juste and Kendall Fuller, but they’re not ballhawks. Getting Forbes, behind a line that can pressure the passer, should lead to more big plays.
Biggest question: How will he hold up? Forbes is a thinner corner, having played last season at 166 pounds. He has bulked up to 180 this offseason. It was not an issue in the SEC, where Forbes played 35 games in three seasons. But it also will be a factor against the run. Washington will require its corners to play the run and, while Forbes is willing, it could take a toll. — John Keim
