3 elite traits the Commanders are getting with Emmanuel Forbes
By Dean Jones
What elite traits are the Washington Commanders getting with Emmanuel Forbes, their No. 16 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft?
The Washington Commanders ended weeks of speculation by selecting Emmanuel Forbes at No. 16 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. There was plenty of late buzz regarding the prospect before the big night, and in this case, there was no smoke without fire.
Christian Gonzalez’s slide obviously gave them cause to pause, to a certain extent. But listening to how Ron Rivera spoke about the former Mississippi State stud after the pick was confirmed, it’s pretty clear he was always the guy.
While Forbes is one of the lightest prospects ever drafted in the first round, he has a dynamic skill set that could see him emerge as a next-level star in no time. Something the Commanders desperately need within their cornerback room despite picking up Cameron Dantzler Sr. off the waiver wire.
Obviously, the selection was never going to please everyone. But we picked out three elite traits the Commanders are getting with Forbes.
Elite Trait No. 1
Commanders are getting elite speed
One thing that stands out considerably when examining Emmanuel Forbes on film is speed. This is nothing short of exceptional and in the upper echelons for NFL cornerbacks from the moment he steps onto a professional field.
This was also reflected during testing at the NFL Scouting Combine. Forbes blazed a trail en route to a 4.35-second 40-yard dash time, which also came with a 1.48-second 10-yard split, which is arguably most important for a cornerback considering the initial explosiveness needed.
There are some faults with Forbes – most notably in run support. But his speed to go downfield seamlessly with any wide receiver should be a major asset for the Washington Commanders immediately.