Commanders News: Emmanuel Forbes, Carson Wentz, OL coach and Day 2

Commanders’ interesting draft Day 2

After scooping up cornerback Emmanuel Forbes at No. 16 overall, the Washington Commanders had other key needs to fill on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. They decided to stand firm and take their chances at No. 47, which saw a few enticing prospects fall into the team’s lap after a flurry of trade activity in front of them.

The Commanders spurned the chance to select one of the top interior linemen in favor of Jartavius ‘Quan’ Martin, a bruising defensive back out of Illinois that has the position flexibility Ron Rivera normally looks for in his college recruits.

Martin is fast, athletic, and can make an impact in all phases. Just where he’ll be best suited in Washington remains to be seen, but he could act as a nickel cornerback and third safety option depending on what alignment Jack Del Rio is running at the time.

The pick got a mixed reaction from fans, who wanted someone like O’Cyrus Torrence and John Michael Schmitz. However, the Commanders did fortify their offensive line at No. 97 by bringing Ricky Stromberg into the fold, despite having some difficulty reaching the one-time Arkansas stud.

Stromberg has primarily occupied the center position in college but has the athleticism to shift to one of the guard spots if needed. There are some concerns against power rushers, but the prospect is technically sound and should compete for involvement immediately.