Emmanuel Forbes Jr.'s tragic Commanders tale cements Ron Rivera's tainted legacy

Adam Peters' long pause when asked about the Washington Commanders roster upon becoming general manager spoke volumes. He knew this squad needed a significant overhaul. Not many expected such drastic alterations right out of the gate.

The Commanders' roster is almost unrecognizable from the one Peters inherited. This was a welcome measure that led to instant on-field improvements. It was also a damning indictment of Ron Rivera's personnel decisions.

This is nowhere more evident than with Rivera's four first-round picks throughout his tenure. Chase Young was traded before the 2023 deadline. Jahan Dotson was shipped to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles during the summer. Jamin Davis was outright released after making an unsuccessful transition from linebacker to an edge rusher.

Only 2023 first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes Jr. remained. Now, he's also been made surplus to requirements.

All Ron Rivera's first-round picks are gone after Commanders cut Emmanuel Forbes Jr.

The Commanders waived Forbes on Saturday. While the timing raised a few eyebrows, it didn't take a genius to figure out that this was always the most likely outcome at some stage.

Forbes was the apple of Rivera's eye during his last pre-draft process at the helm. He was adamant this was the shutdown cornerback Washington needed and didn't alter his mindset. Even when Christian Gonzalez fell out of the top 10 and into his lap, the former Mississippi State star remained the guy.

That was a grave error in judgment. Forbes went through untold complications as a rookie and was phased out quickly by the new regime when the same trend continued this season. He's been seldom seen over recent weeks and is now looking for a fresh start.

Forbes' fate, coupled with the other first-round flops under Rivera's watch, cemented his tainted legacy. He couldn't properly evaluate talent. He was stubborn and incapable of adjusting to ever-changing situations. It came as no surprise to see the Commanders constantly underachieve and move on from the head coach after the 2023 campaign.

Rivera was proud of the culture he'd built and the roster he'd put together. There were even claims about getting a ring if the Commanders won it all one day. Peters didn't think too much of either and ruthlessly cut the cord on every high-end selection he made.

What the future holds for Forbes is unclear. First-round picks tend to get another chance if they fail in their first environments. But the fact Washington is eating so much dead-cap money to get the defensive back off their hands is a fair reflection of his failure to meet even modest expectations.

The Commanders did what they thought was best for the team. Forbes wasn't going to be part of their future - neither were Young, Davis, and Dotson. Prolonging the agony is not in Peters' mindset. He wants players around who can contribute no matter how small. Anyone not pulling their weight won't last long.

Washington fans have Rivera to thank for that. There was almost an arrogance to his decision-making. Nobody knew more or thought they were smarter. The Commanders missed out on some elite-level talent as a result.

Forbes never stood a chance. The fact Washington passed on Gonzalez - who looks like a sure-fire lockdown presence in coverage - makes it even worse.

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