AFC team touted as potential suitor for Commanders' first-round calamity

The Washington Commanders are in a tricky position before the 2024 trade deadline. General manager Adam Peters was probably looking to dispose of more assets to strengthen his position during the 2025 offseason. However, the team's 4-2 start with some winnable games upcoming on the schedule could lead him into a slight shift.

Opportunity knocks for the Commanders. The NFC East is there for the taking looking at how things stand around the division right now. Washington has holes to fill, so Peters could address this by parting ways with a draft pick or two if he genuinely believes this team can make the postseason in Year 1 of his comprehensive rebuild.

That's not to say Peters won't examine potential outgoings. Some players out of favor or out of contract could be moved on depending on the compensation attached. It's a long-term project with the future always at the forefront, so it'll be fascinating to see how the new front-office leader goes about his business if Washington picks up a couple more successes before the November 5 deadline.

Emmanuel Forbes Jr. could be among those deemed expendable. The cornerback is on the fringes and doesn't seem part of the team's plans moving forward. Giving up on the No. 16 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft so soon into his career is risky, but Peters doesn't have a strong opinion of those drafted during the Ron Rivera era.

Chargers tipped with potential trade for Commanders CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.

Bill Barnwell of ESPN touted a potential win-win solution for the player and the organization. The respected writer named the Los Angeles Chargers as a potential suitor before the deadline. The Commanders would get a fifth-round selection in return for Forbes and a sixth-rounder as part of this hypothetical transaction.

"First-round picks aren't usually on the trade block before they're even halfway through their second pro campaigns, but Forbes is a unique case. The new regime that took over doesn't appear to see much in the 23-year-old. He is probably the sixth corner on Washington's depth chart and is due over the next three years more than $6 million guaranteed, which the team might prefer to spend elsewhere. The Chargers might be willing to take the plunge, given that Asante Samuel Jr. is on injured reserve for the next three games. Taking on $6 million for a player who hasn't been even a passable NFL corner might be a dangerous move, but the upside of landing a prospect who went in the middle of Round 1 just 18 months ago would be worth the risk."

- Bill Barnwell, ESPN

Although this doesn't look like the sort of physical presence Jim Harbaugh normally goes for, teams are always willing to take second chances on high-end draft picks in the hope their potential can be realized in a different environment. Peters won't just give Forbes away. But he also might decide to strike while the iron is hot before any more bad performances arrive.

Rivera thought the Commanders were getting a shutdown cornerback in Forbes. He was almost besotted with the former Mississippi State standout during his pre-draft assessments. Picking him over Christian Gonzalez has the makings of being his worst mistake in a long list of personnel errors over his four-year tenure.

Forbes recently got some advice from Dan Quinn that centered on maintaining focus and staying prepared. He wants the defensive back to be ready to seize his moment when another opportunity arises. At the same time, nobody would be too shocked if Peters cut his losses and sold off the player if suitable interest came calling.

A big few weeks await Peters. How he approaches them will be telling.

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