Forbes’ Rough Rookie Reality
At 6'1" and just 166 pounds, Forbes' size concerns were known coming out of college. But they became glaring at the pro level, where bigger and more physical receivers routinely bullied him in coverage and run support. According to Pro Football Focus:
28.4 run-defense grade – dead last among cornerbacks
Allowed catches on all 7 targets in Week 18 vs. Dallas
50.9 PFF overall grade for the year
He finished the season with:
38 tackles
1 interception
11 pass deflections in 14 games (6 starts)
A midseason benching and ejection (vs. Seattle)
The Commanders’ defense was already reeling, but Forbes’ struggles made things worse.
2024: A Career-Critical Year
Now Forbes is heading into Year 2 with everything on the line. Not only does he need to rebound from a poor rookie campaign, but he’s doing it under an entirely new regime:
Dan Quinn, Head Coach (former Cowboys DC)
Adam Peters, General Manager (ex-49ers exec)
Neither of them drafted Forbes, and that changes the calculus. As Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine noted, first-rounders often get a longer leash—but that leash shortens dramatically when the people who picked you are gone.
So far, though, Peters seems cautiously optimistic:
"We feel better than on the surface... Emmanuel Forbes has gotten significantly better, and that's a testament to how he's practiced and how he’s worked." — via 106.7 The Fan
Depth Chart: Fighting for Snaps
Forbes likely starts 2024 as a backup behind:
Benjamin St-Juste (2023 starter, steady if unspectacular)
Michael Davis (veteran free agent from the Chargers)
But there’s still a role for Forbes, particularly in sub-packages if he shows better tackling and cleaner technique. He won’t be handed anything, though—and if he doesn’t show major improvement, it’s possible he could be off the roster by 2025.
Bottom Line: Can He Bounce Back?
Forbes has elite ball skills—that’s not in question. But unless he bulks up, plays more physical, and corrects his technique, he’ll struggle to stay on the field in a Dan Quinn defense that demands toughness and versatility.
This season, he’s not just fighting for a starting job—he’s fighting to justify being a first-round pick in the first place.
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