Commanders Assessing CB Emmanuel Forbes’ Trade Value.
Under Adam Peters’ leadership, the Washington Commanders have moved on from several players selected in the 2023 draft by the previous regime led by Ron Rivera.
This includes parting ways with third-round center Ricky Stromberg after just one year. Now, it seems that the team’s top pick from last year’s draft could also be on uncertain footing.
While the Commanders are not in a selling mode this year—distinguishing themselves from last year’s fire sale that saw Montez Sweat and Chase Young traded at the deadline—the team is actively exploring options to bolster both their wide receiver and cornerback positions. This could also mean considering trades within the secondary.
Washington is currently evaluating the market for cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson.
The 2023 first-round pick, selected 16th overall, has not yet lived up to the expectations tied to his draft position, despite his impressive turnover stats in college.
So far this season, Forbes has started just one game and participated in five, with later-round picks often playing ahead of him.
Chosen just before Christian Gonzalez in the 2023 draft, Forbes has only been on the field for 37% of the team’s defensive snaps this season. The team originally selected him to fit into the defensive scheme of Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.
Although a thumb injury delayed his early season progress, Forbes was only on the field for half of Washington’s defensive snaps as a rookie. Since being drafted, he has started in only seven games. His struggles are reflected in his poor 37.6 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus this year.
Forbes is currently behind Benjamin St-Juste and second-round rookie Mike Sainristil on the depth chart, with experienced cornerback Michael Davis, a former starter with the Chargers, also joining the team this offseason.
Additionally, Noah Igbinoghene, a former first-round pick and low-risk trade acquisition from the Cowboys, has started five games and logged a 67% snap share, primarily as a slot defender. Igbinoghene’s presence has pushed Sainristil to a boundary role, further limiting Forbes’ path back into the starting lineup.
Forbes made a name for himself in college with six pick-sixes and 14 interceptions over three seasons at Mississippi State, but he has yet to translate those skills into consistent play in the NFL. Despite his potential, Forbes has not become a dependable starting corner for Washington. His contract runs through 2026, but trading him before the deadline would result in significant dead money for the team—over $12 million in cap penalties spread over the next two seasons.
The acquiring team would also inherit more than $5 million in guaranteed salary for 2025-26. However, at just 23 years old, a team that had interest in him during the draft could still take a chance on him. It’s unlikely that Washington would receive anything more than a Day 3 draft pick in exchange for him. The team’s decision to move on could hinge on whether they are able to acquire another cornerback before the trade deadline.