Washington Commanders select Emmanuel Forbes in first round of 2023 NFL Draft

The Washington Commanders have drafted former Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes with the No. 16 pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Forbes burst onto the scene for the Bulldogs in 2020, earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors after tying for third in the nation with five interceptions and returning them for a nation-best three for touchdowns.

Over his career, he posted 14 career interceptions with six returned for scores — a stat NFL scouts are drooling over. His ball-carrying abilities can provide another wrinkle to special teams, espcially knowing that he ran a 4.35 40-yard-dash last month at the NFL Combine.

Forbes never had less than three interceptions in a single season for Mississippi State. He ended his three-year collegiate career with 149 total tackles, 94 solo and 22 pass deflections — the most of any defensive back for Mississippi State during the time he was on campus.

Coming out of high school, Forbes stayed in-state to play for the late Mike Leach and Mississippi State. He was a four-star recruit in the 2020 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He was the No. 168 overall player and No. 15 corner in his class.

What NFL Draft Analysts are saying about Emmanuel Forbes

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein provided the following analysis of Young, offering current Commanders CB Cam Dantzler as a historical comparison for the former Mississippi State star.

“Forbes is long, can run and has a talent for taking the ball away, which means he has a chance to become a coveted cornerback. However, his wire-thin frame does not work in his favor,” Zierlein wrote. “Forbes’ instincts and recognition are fun to watch. He pounces on quick-game throws and has the ball skills to take the ball away.

“He’s highly capable in all forms of zone coverage and operates out of press-man, but is inconsistent matching the release and staying in phase with routes through sharp cuts. His slender build and lack of tackle strength will make him a target for opposing running games. Forbes could become an early starter with quality ball production, but teams might need to expect some up-and-down performances.”

Zierlein provided a litany of strengths for the former Bulldog, including — but not limited to — being hard to throw over the top of him, his length, soft hands when catching the ball and has above average pre-snap play recognition.