The Los Angeles Rams are dealing with cornerback issues entering Week 9, which could put the Washington Commanders face-to-face with one of their most egregious draft mistakes of the modern era.
But this time, it can work in their favor.
Jaws hit the floor around Washington's fan base when the Commanders selected Emmanuel Forbes Jr. over Christian Gonzalez at No. 16 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. This was the apple of Ron Rivera's eye, and even when the Oregon product dropped into their laps, he did not deviate.
Commanders could see a lot of Emmanuel Forbes Jr. in Week 9, and that's a good thing
That was a major mistake. And he never ran another draft in Washington again.
Forbes was undersized. He was a liability in coverage, bullied by more physically imposing wide receivers in the NFL. He was an abomination as a tackler and run defender, while Gonzalez quickly took the league by storm with the New England Patriots.
The new regime gave Forbes a chance to turn things around. Unfortunately, the same problems surfaced, and after making him an afterthought on the defensive rotation, the Mississippi State product was waived just one and a half seasons into his professional journey.
As for Gonzalez? He's one of the league's best shutdown corners, a Pro Bowler, and recently received a lucrative contract extension from New England.
The Rams claimed Forbes off waivers. He flashed more promise, but opposing offenses also targeted him as a weak link with great success in big moments. And general manager Les Snead took decisive action.
The Rams traded for Trent McDuffie. They signed Jaylen Watson in free agency, giving them a prolific tandem and relegating Forbes to a backup role.
McDuffie and Watson are both hurt. That means Forbes could be in line for more work against the team that drafted him this weekend.
Commanders should know how to exploit one of their biggest draft mistakes
And this is an opportunity the Commanders cannot afford to waste.
The Commanders are dealing with some injuries at receiver. Terry McLaurin is out for the year with a torn patellar tendon, and Treylon Burks hasn't practiced much this week to manage his foot issue. General manager Adam Peters hasn't made a trade yet, but an upset win in Week 9 might make him shift course.
Either way, if Forbes does get the start wth McDuffie and Watson likely to miss the game, offensive coordinator David Blough must attack him early and often.
Whether it's Burks, Stefon Diggs, or promising third-round rookie Antonio Williams, getting the ball to anyone in Forbes' direction would be a huge advantage.
The Commanders should know how to exploit his weakness to the fullest. Even though he will be highly motivated against the team that gave up on him so quickly, it doesn't change the fact that Forbes can be got at.
And that could give the Commanders a fighting chance of keeping this more competitive than people expect.
Everyone knew at the time that the pick should have been Gonzalez — everyone expected Rivera, that is. Forbes was a victim of circumstance, unable to live up to his coach's expectations and cast aside by a regime that didn't rate him as highly.
Now, they are crossing paths again.
And for the first time, the Commanders can victimize rather than be the victims of Forbes' frailties.
Let's hope this scenario comes to fruition.
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