Commanders 'Thrilled to Death' Over New Rookie DB Pair

After prioritizing improvements to their secondary group the Washington Commanders couldn't be happier than they are with defensive backs Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin joining the team.

In the days, weeks and months leading to the NFL Draft it was clear to everyone there was a need for the Washington Commanders to improve their secondary group. 

Whether it was a top-down approach or simply targeting depth, the pick projections for the Commanders may have varied, but the presence of cornerbacks and safeties in mock drafts was constant.

And not only did those inside Washington's NFL franchise agree with the projections, but they also doubled down on it by taking two defensive backs with their first two picks of the weekend.

"Certainly there was a level where there was some priority in addressing the secondary," senior director of player personnel Eric Stokes said. "But at the same time, the board will speak to you as you go through this process and over the day. So as it really kind of played out for us, the board was speaking to us that there was depth at the secondary position and that there was kind of a variety of skillsets there that could definitely fit what we wanna do defensively. So, that really kind of organically happened in that sense."

Some thought Washington would use a high pick to address its offensive line in the draft, and while that may have been a possibility had the right player been available, the team has no regrets about how things went down and are incredibly happy with the players it got.

"We're super excited about the two players that we added in [CB Emmanuel] Forbes and that we also added in [DB] Jartavius [Martin]," Stokes continued. "So yeah, we're thrilled to death and excited to work with those young men."

Forbes is an NCAA Football record holder for interceptions returned for touchdowns and may immediately become the biggest ballhawk on the defense. 

Meanwhile, Martin brings versatility with his ability to play just about anywhere on the field giving defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio more flexibility in how he schemes against opponents than he has arguably had in his tenure with the Commanders. 

Between these two additions, the youth movement that's swept the entire secondary over recent years, stars like defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne anchoring the defensive line, and defensive end Chase Young entering the year with a chip on his shoulder, this year's Washington defense is going to be worth the price of admission for fans sitting in the FedEx Field seats.

Find David Harrison on the Locked On Commanders podcast or text him directly at (202) 760-2188.

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