It’s no secret that Emmanuel Forbes Jr.’s long-term future with the Washington Commanders isn’t set in stone. The cornerback’s gone through a turbulent rollercoaster throughout his first offseason under the new regime. There have been good moments with plenty of bad ones thrown in for good measure. This left many wondering if Forbes’ skill set fits the vision of head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters.
A Rocky Start for Forbes
Forbes should make the team considering his athletic attributes and Washington’s lack of legitimate depth at the cornerback position. What role he’ll be allocated is anyone’s guess, but the former first-round pick might be forced to settle for rotational duties behind Benjamin St-Juste, Michael Davis, and rookie Mike Sainristil when push comes to shove.
Crunch Time: Forbes at the Crossroads
This is a crossroads campaign for Forbes in no uncertain terms. Unless the defensive back makes significant improvements in a competitive setting and cements his worth to those in power, a situation could emerge where the Commanders cut their losses entirely after just two campaigns with the team.
That sounds a little drastic, but Peters has shown no remorse when it comes to removing Ron Rivera’s draft picks from the roster. Couple this with Davis and St-Juste being in the final year of their respective deals, cornerback could be Washington’s biggest need when the 2025 offseason rolls around.
The ‘Will Johnson’ Scenario
Damian Parson from The Draft Network recognized this fact in his recent mock. With the Commanders picking No. 8 overall, the analyst saw them taking Will Johnson to solve their potential woes in the secondary.
Damian Parson: “With Emmanuel Forbes struggling mightily as a rookie, the Washington Commanders have a major need at the CB position. Will Johnson brings a true CB1 to the Commanders’ secondary. Johnson will undoubtedly fit Dan Quinn’s defensive system and give him a playmaker in the secondary.”
A Match Made in Michigan
Johnson’s transition should be seamless considering he was Sainristil’s teammate at Michigan. The pair dominated en route to the college football national championship in 2024. Similar success in Washington would be an absolute godsend for the Commanders in pursuit of making their defense a force to be reckoned with in all phases.
Dan Quinn’s Dream Cornerback
Quinn looks for strong, physical, athletic cornerbacks within his creative defensive system. Johnson ticks those boxes and more. The former five-star high school recruit is agile and boasts exceptional footwork. He can also shift opposing wide receivers off their routes in press coverage with minimal fuss.
Perfection on the Horizon?
There are very few flaws in Johnson’s game. His instincts and disciplined coverage already look next-level-ready. If the incoming prospect learns how to become less susceptible to double moves and penalties, he could be the first corner taken in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Big ‘If’ for Forbes
In an ideal world, Forbes will shine in 2024 and become the player Rivera and others thought he’d be during their pre-draft assessments. The jury is still out on that. Peters and his front-office team will be forming contingency plans in the event Washington’s cornerback unit becomes a weak link once again this season.
Sainristil is the one confidence is most high in, which speaks volumes. There is a long way to go and a lot of football to play. At the same time, Johnson would be a hard proposition to pass up when the Commanders go on the clock if the same trend continues.
