The Washington Commanders' decision to draft cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. over Christian Gonzalez continues to haunt the franchise to this day. It was previous head coach Ron Rivera's final first-round flop, and arguably his most egregious. General manager Adam Peters quickly cut the cord when things were falling flat.
Forbes was never going to work out in Washington. He was tasked with too much and was dangerously undersized to cope with physically imposing pass-catchers. The former Mississippi State ballhawk found work quickly, signing for the Los Angeles Rams, but an expected development increases his urgency exponentially heading into the summer.
Unsurprisingly, the Rams didn't pick up Forbes' fifth-year option. That makes it a contract year for the No. 16 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, so nothing but vast improvements will do in pursuit of an extended stay.
Commanders made a bad call with Emmanuel Forbes Jr. as uncertain future looms
Making the roster is the first challenge, and it's a steep one. The Rams aggressively attacked their cornerback room this offseason, striking a trade for Trent McDuffie while also signing Jaylen Watson. The ex-Kansas City Chiefs teammates will be the new starting duo, leaving Forbes with a fight for involvement.
Forbes has had some nice moments in Los Angeles. His flaws are glaring, and teams actively exploited his lack of physicality down the stretch and into the playoffs. This didn't go unnoticed by the NFC West club, either. And they took decisive action with two legitimate difference-makers who can provide more stability.
The stakes have been raised for Forbes. Gonzalez got his fifth-year option triggered by the New England Patriots, and a market-resetting deal could be in his immediate future. Washington doesn't have the benefit of either player, though only one looks capable of carving out a successful career for himself.
Rivera's infatuation with Forbes was unwavering, even when Gonzalez slipped out of the top 10. This faith was misguided, which proved to be the final nail in his proverbial Washington coffin.
Peters cannot do anything about that now. He'll be hoping the quartet of Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil, Amik Robertson, and Ahkello Witherspoon can provide the consistency needed within Daronte Jones' schematic concepts. There is also more than enough cash to find another productive coverage presence, depending on what opportunities become available.
Either way, the Commanders are better off without Forbes. It wasn't a good fit, and Peters was right to end this experiment early.
And if things don't turn around in Los Angeles next season, an even more uncertain future awaits Forbes this time next year.
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