Ranking 5 best draft picks of Ron Rivera’s tenure with Commanders
By Dean Jones
Darrick Forrest – Commanders S
- Round No. 5 (Pick No. 163) | 2021 NFL Draft
What separates the good teams from the leading Super Bowl contenders is how they navigate the mid-to-late rounds of the NFL Draft. One only has to examine how many superb additions the Kansas City Chiefs have made in this stage of the selection process to see how beneficial it can be.
It’s been a mixed bag in this regard for the Washington Commanders under Ron Rivera. However, they have managed to hit one or two home runs that quickly emerged into productive contributors.
Darrick Forrest certainly fits the bill. The gifted defensive back was an unheralded prospect coming out of Cincinnati, with the coaching staff taking their time with the player throughout a rookie campaign of little involvement on the defensive rotation.
This patience paid off in the best possible way last season. Forrest was an absolute revelation on the backend, providing a forceful presence on running downs and an absolute ballhawk with nine passes defended and four interceptions in coverage for good measure.
Forrest has all the makings of a true draft steal if he keeps this up in the coming years. The Commanders have issues within certain areas of their defense, but they can relax safe in the knowledge the former fifth-round pick is on an upward curve en route to great things moving forward.