Commanders CB Emmanuel Forbes Prediction: Multiple Defensive TDs in Rookie Year?

Sports Illustrated believes that the Washington Commanders will get an immediate return on their investment in cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.

The Washington Commanders got mixed reviews for using their first-round pick on former Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. While generally viewed as a good fit for head coach Ron Rivera's defense, there are some who are concerned about him only weighing 166 pounds. 

But those who really like Forbes seem to believe that he'll make an immediate impact for a team that is trying to rebound from being the only NFC East squad not to make the postseason a year ago. 

Sports Illustrated made 100 bold predictions for the upcoming NFL season, and believes that Forbes will take it to the house on more than one occasion in 2023.

"Forbes is so fast off the line of scrimmage and despite his slender frame will be ideal at picking off bubble screens and other quick throws," SI writes. "The No. 16 pick has explosive speed (4.35 in the 40 at the combine) and—bonus prediction—on one of those pick-sixes he will become the fastest ballcarrier of the year in terms of miles per hour (tracked by NFL Next Gen Stats)."

Forbes will play opposite of veteran Kendall Fuller, in a division where the Commanders will see the likes of A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, DeVonta Smith and Darren Waller. But if he's able to record multiple pick-sixes in his rookie year, it's not hyperbolic to say that Forbes could put a team that was 7-10 a year ago into the playoff mix. 

Hovering over this entire year is the fact that Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew are being inherited by Josh Harris' ownership group. So while the future of this regime may rest in the hands -- or perhaps arm, in this case -- of quarterback Sam Howell, Forbes may be another player that determines the job security of the coaching staff and front office. 

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