Count Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson as the latest to believe in the hype of 2023 first-round draft pick Emmanuel Forbes. Dotson recently admitted he had his reservations about Forbes. However, after working against him throughout OTA practices, Dotson now sees that Forbes is as good as advertised.
“Honestly, I watched the tap, and I was like, ‘I think he’s good, but I don’t know,'” Dotson said, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “After seeing him on the field, I know how good he is now. I understand why he was drafted in the first round. I understand what all the hype is about.”
The Commanders shocked fans and analysts by selecting Emmanuel Forbes out of Mississippi State with the 16th overall pick in April’s NFL Draft ahead of the more notable Christian Gonzalez. But inside the Commanders’ organization, Forbes was their guy all along.
Just over six feet tall and 166 pounds, there were questions about Forbes’ slender frame. Yet, the Commanders did not share the same doubts. The team’s general manager Martin Mayhew called Forbes “the total package.”
The Commanders released a video package illustrating the team’s thought process for drafting Forbes that increased the hype surrounding him. Since the draft, he’s received praise all around. He even drew comparisons to the great Richard Sherman.
Forbes flashed his potential throughout OTA practices. During a May 31 session, he broke up passes against Dotson and Washington’s top receiver Terry McLaurin, drawing frustration from offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who noted there were “too many balls on the ground.”
McLaurin has gotten the best of Forbes as well. But it’s evident by all accounts that Forbes will be a force. In college, Forbes set an NCAA record with six interceptions returned for touchdowns throughout his three-year career.
His 14 interceptions laminate that he is a ballhawk. That’s exactly what head coach Ron Rivera wants, as the Commanders ranked 26th out of 32 teams in takeaways last season. Forbes’ ability to track the football is one of the reasons defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio is “really fired up” about selecting him.
Forbes is quickly erasing any doubts with his teammates. His addition strengthens the Commanders’ cornerbacks group alongside Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste.
