Washington Football Team: Grades for each 2021 NFL Draft pick
Round 5: Darrick Forrest, Strong Safety/Free Safety, Cincinnati
The Washington Football Team finally addressed one of their bigger needs for the 2021 off-season with the selection of Darrick Forrest. Most scouting services considered the Cincinnati standout to be a fourth or fifth-round prospect.
As a result, Washington was able to obtain decent value for a position that warranted attention. Forrest will line up at free safety and he could be ready to go on opening day.
Forrest can best be described as a jack of all trades, but a master of none. He is a good tackler. Forrest plays with solid anticipation. He takes good, crisp angles to the ball.
Washington Commanders
The former Bearcat plays with intelligence. He is physical. Versatility is a given. The only negative is that he offers very little as a pass rusher. He is better playing deep and away from the line.
Forrest is likely to be a special teams ace, but his development as a free safety could come quickly in his first year. Forrest isn’t considered to be a steal in the fifth round, but he is a solid addition and will compete for significant playing time this season.
Don’t expect him to be an elite talent, just a defensive back who will give the team 100 percent on each play.
Verdict: Forrest is the type of player that head coach Ron Rivera likes to talk about – a hard-working prospect who is willing to play at his very best throughout the game. Free safety was certainly a team need and Darrick Forrest is likely to have a very good impact for Washington in the years ahead.