ASHBURN — The first thing that jumped out was the stats. When he started to look at scouting reports this past February, Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera couldn’t help but notice Emmanuel Forbes’ production over three seasons at Mississippi State. There were the cornerback’s 14 interceptions, six in the last year alone. Six of those 14 were returned for touchdowns, which tied an FBS record. And on the passes he didn’t pick off, Forbes managed to force another 34 deflections.
Then, Rivera turned on the tape. Forbes more than passed the eye test.
“You see that element to his game,” Rivera said of Forbes’ ability to produce turnovers. “You know that’s what you’re getting.”
Forbes’ game now comes to Washington. The Commanders selected the 22-year-old Thursday with the 16th overall pick in this year’s NFL draft. The team did so in hopes that the cornerback’s knack for grabbing interceptions translates to the next level.
Washington, after all, is coming off a season in which its defense ranked 28th in interceptions with nine. The unit was stout as it finished ninth in defensive efficiency (DVOA), though the defense lacked big-time plays. The team also had a glaring need at the position, with Kendall Fuller entering a contract year and Benjamin St-Juste unable to consistently stay healthy.
Forbes became Washington’s first defensive back to be taken in the first round since LaRon Landry in 2007.
“People throw around ‘ballhawk’ pretty loosely, but this guy really is that,” general manager Martin Mayhew said. “The guy is just an impact player. He’s one of my favorite players in this draft.”
Added Rivera: “One of the things we weren’t as good at as we needed as a defense was takeaways.”
Forbes told reporters that he “always” has excelled at snatching the football. The Mississippi native credited his background as a wide receiver, a position he played in high school. “I had a knack for the ball, honestly,” he said.
But as with every draft prospect, there were questions that Forbes faces as he looks to make an impact in the NFL. Specifically, is he too small? Forbes weighed just 166 pounds at the league’s scouting combine — making him the second-lightest cornerback to be drafted since 2000. According to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Forbes weighed nearly the same (165) during his senior season of high school.
Rivera and Mayhew, however, said they weren’t concerned about Forbes’ (lack of) weight. Mayhew pointed to Forbes’ durability in college, which resulted in the cornerback playing in 35 games. Rivera later noted how Forbes is able to use his 6-foot-1 frame to play tall and how he can disrupt routes with his length.
“Weight is going to come over time,” Forbes said. “I’m not going to stress about it. They didn’t have a problem with it. That’s why they drafted me.”
Forbes was the second cornerback taken in the first round, behind only Devon Witherspoon — the Illinois star who the Seattle Seahawks selected at No. 5. But Forbes went ahead of Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez, who many draft experts considered to be the top corner in this year’s class.
Gonzalez, though, ultimately went to the New England Patriots at No. 17. The Commanders also notably passed on Kentucky quarterback Will Levis and Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker — signal-callers who fell out of the first round entirely.
Asked about the decision to pass on a quarterback, Rivera reiterated his confidence in Sam Howell — a fifth-round pick in last year’s draft — and veteran Jacoby Brissett. He added that the Commanders adding Brissett in free agency last month lessened the need to take a signal-caller. “We feel like we have a good room right now,” he said.
As for the next two days, drafting to add help along the offensive line figures to be a priority for Washington. Thursday’s Round 1 saw top tackles such as Paris Johnson (No. 6 to Arizona), Darnell Wright (No. 10 to Chicago) and Broderick Jones (No.14 to Pittsburgh) come off the board. The interior of the line may be Washington’s main focus as it could use help at guard and center.
Forbes still should fill a big need for Washington. The team has lacked a true No. 1 corner in Rivera’s tenure, with the Commanders whiffing on 2021 free-agent signing William Jackson III. Jackson proved to be an awkward fit in Washington’s scheme from the start and the team traded him last fall after it benched him.
Forbes, in theory, is more of a natural scheme fit for Washington. Rivera noted Mississippi State relied on similar concepts and he praised Forbes’ football knowledge.
When the Commanders hosted Forbes for a private visit earlier this month, Rivera and his staff went over a play in which the cornerback got beaten on a double move to see Forbes’ response. Forbes, Rivera recalled Thursday, corrected it on the spot: The cornerback told Washington’s staff he had taken his eyes off the receiver and failed to see him go vertical.
As Rivera went back to watch more of Forbes’ tape after the interview, the coach noticed the mistake wasn’t part of a pattern. When another wideout tried to do a double-move on Forbes again, the 22-year-old ran with him stride for stride — and knocked the pass down when it came his way.
“This is a guy that learns from what goes on around him,” Rivera said.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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