Marshon Lattimore trade abruptly ends costly Emmanuel Forbes Jr. experiment

Emmanuel Forbes Jr.'s future with the Washington Commanders was hanging in the balance heading into the 2024 season. The new regime was willing to give him another chance despite the cornerback looking out of his depth. Now, it seems like this costly experiment is coming to an abrupt halt.

Speculation was rampant about the Commanders being in the market for a cornerback before the 2024 trade deadline. Most beat writers were skeptical, claiming that it would probably be a short-term rental or depth piece to help their surprising playoff push. General manager Adam Peters had something else entirely in mind, striking a deal with the New Orleans Saints for four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore.

The bombshell move sent shockwaves through the NFL and the fanbase into jubilant delight. They've been wating a long time for the Commanders to become relevant again. That time is now.

Lattimore is a genuine shutdown presence. Someone who thrives in man coverage and looks well-suited to the defensive scheme implemented by head coach Dan Quinn and coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. It's a major statement of intent that bolsters their hopes of winning the NFC East along the way.

Emmanuel Forbes Jr. buried down Commanders' depth chart after Marshon Lattimore trade

This has a ripple effect on the Commanders' cornerback depth chart. There will be some reshuffling. Benjamin St-Juste moves to a complementary role he's better suited to. Rookie second-rounder Mike Sainristil could return to slot duties with Noah Igbinoghene as the No. 4 option. As for Forbes? He's completely buried down the pecking order.

Rumors were rife about the Commanders gauging interest from around the league in Forbes before they decided to acquire Lattimore. Either there was no offer forthcoming or the compensation wasn't sufficient enough. However, it only seems like a matter of time before this relationship results in a parting of the ways.

Forbes is the only remaining first-round pick from Ron Rivera's four-year head coaching tenure. That's a damning indictment of the personnel evaluation previously. Peters is here to change all that, implementing a collaborative, professional process that always keeps the team's long-term vision at the forefront.

Those plans altered slightly with the addition of Lattimore. But it's also worth remembering just how far the Commanders have come in such a short timeframe. Having this ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances is the hallmark of every great general manager. That does nothing for Forbes' aspirations, but it's a huge positive for the team.

A fresh start would be the best possible solution for all parties. Forbes didn't register a defensive snap at the New York Giants in Week 9. That's unlikely to improve if Lattimore's hamstring complication heals in time for the weekend's clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He could be a decent kick returner, but there's just no telling for sure right now.

This is not what the previous decision-makers had in mind when they drafted Forbes at No. 16 overall. Even when Christian Gonzalez was there for the taking, the former Mississippi Star standout was the guy. That was a supreme vote of confidence in the player. It was also the last in a long line of grave judgment errors by Rivera and his staff.

The road back is longer than ever for Forbes. Whether he can salvage something from a career in tatters remains to be seen.

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