Grading 1st-round draft choices of the Eagles rivals in the NFC East

Washington filled one of their biggest needs on the defensive side of the ball in Round 1 of the NFL Draft.

The Commanders’ walked into the 2023 NFL Draft with their secondary seemingly in dire straits. They’re set with their best cornerback, veteran Kendall Fuller. He has continued to play at a high level, posting 52 tackles, three interceptions, and two pick-sixes in 17 games last season, but he needs help. Everyone knows that.

Benjamin St-Juste is in the mix. So is Cameron Dantzler, but neither has played a full season during their career due to injuries. For that reason, the Commanders saw fit to add to the position with the first-round selection of  Emmanuel Forbes. Truthfully, that’s a good move.

There’s a lot to like about the Mississippi State product. He was a ballhawk for the Bulldogs.

Forbes collected 14 interceptions and took six of them back to the opposing end zone for six points during his three seasons with the program. He also notched 142 tackles, 6.5 tackles for losses, one sack, 34 passes deflected, and one forced fumble.

The worries here are about his strength and his thin frame. Might he be pushed around by bigger opposing wideouts and running backs? Washington could have gone with a more physical defensive back, Joey Porter Jr or Christian Gonzalez for instance. Both were available when they made their selection. Still, Forbes earns a grade of above average. There aren’t any reasons to be upset here.

Grade: B