Beat writer casts doubt on struggling Commanders player's future

The Washington Commanders are trying to determine which players should occupy what roles during the 2024 season. Things can, and will, change between now and Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters should have a good indication of their plans to kick off their exciting new era.

It's been largely encouraging throughout a frenetic offseason filled with positive changes. Some concerns remain across the depth chart, but one cannot look at Peters' maneuvering so far and not feel a sense of optimism for the future.

That's not the case for everybody.

After a solid enough start to Washington's preparations, Emmanuel Forbes Jr. endured some complications over the last week. The cornerback's performance against New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson during a joint practice came with concerns aplenty. This was followed by conceding a touchdown to Jason Brownlee at MetLife Stadium in the Commanders' preseason opener.

This has been the story of Forbes' time in Washington so far. The former first-round selection flashes moments of genuine quality, but the consistency is nowhere near NFL standards right now. Unless there's a drastic change in trajectory, his chances of becoming what previous head coach Ron Rivera envisaged are bleak.

Beat writer questions whether Emmanuel Forbes Jr. fits into Commanders' vision

Sam Fortier from The Washington Post echoed this sentiment during an appearance on the Trap or Dive podcast. He acknowledged there were some nice moments. The beat writer also questioned whether Forbes' particular skill set fits into the Commanders' new vision.

"I think [Emmanuel] Forbes' future with the team is very much in question, even though he's been taking a lot of starting reps. He did have a nice play early on, and then he got beat for the touchdown and I didn't think his footwork was very good. He has ball skills which obviously this defensive staff prioritizes as much if not more than anything. I just don't know if his technique can be consistent enough to allow him to be the player he could be. If I were to bet, I'd say the two outside corners in Week 1 right now are Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis. I still don't know if Forbes fits into the future vision of this roster."

- Sam Fortier

Giving up entirely on Forbes after just one season would be a drastic move. At the same time, Peters and Quinn have no emotional attachment to any draft selection made by Rivera. They've already shown a willingness to part ways with picks made by the organization's previous decision-makers. The new power couple won't hesitate to do the same again if there's a belief it can benefit the franchise.

Forbes is an easy target for criticism. His good moments are outstanding and leave reasons for hope. His bad moments put into question whether the Mississippi State product belongs in the NFL at all. The Commanders must find the player's happy medium and decide whether it can be molded into a decent contributor.

There needs to be a tremendous amount of resolve from Forbes' standpoint. He's heard all the criticism and is striving to silence some increasing doubters. It's been a rollercoaster offseason for the defensive back, but what comes next is of critical importance.

Facing the likes of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins represents a daunting challenge. Coping well and building back confidence is crucial. Otherwise, Forbes will be on the rotation or perhaps even lower down the depth chart than ever before.

The stakes are high for Forbes. Looking at how things have unfolded so far, it could legitimately go either way.

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