Here’s the skinny on the newest Washington Commander Emmanuel Forbes – solid player with so much to like, but the scale says 180 if he has a brick in each pocket.
And that’s a reach at the NFL level.
Don’t talk about “itty bitty” Darrell Green. He’s a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Sure, Pat Fischer played at 170 pounds but was four inches shorter than Forbes and that was two generations ago. Today’s NFL has muscular receivers every week and Forbes will get worn down over time.
Oh, the Commanders first-rounder will surely report at 180 pounds. Nobody is watching that scale and teams just claim whatever fits the narrative. Happens a million times. Figures don’t lie, but liars can figure.
Forbes was 166 pounds at the NFL Combine where plenty of eyes forced the truth. He supposedly played at 170 last season so why did Forbes lose weight in the offseason when the focus should have been on gaining weight?
“Honestly, [NFL teams] didn't really care too much about my weight because I can play ball,” Forbes said. “That's all that matters and it never affected my game, so it really didn't play a factor.”
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The Commanders don’t see a problem with the weight because they’re blinded by his tape. Forbes is a ballhawk with six pick-6s last year. He intercepted 14 passes at Mississippi State. Forbes was durable over three seasons, tackles well and runs fast. Who doesn’t want a corner with those traits?
If Forbes was 186 pounds, it would be a solid pick. But, he’s not and that leaves some doubt. The NFL is a big-boy league and 17 games wear players down. That last month is played on grit and duct tape. Players are often down 5 to 10 pounds from the season’s start.
Surely, Washington will put Forbes on a special diet with supplements to bulk him up the best he can. But, Forbes is just naturally skinny. Nine siblings might have something to do with it if he was at the end of the table. Skinny in life is an asset, but on the NFL field it’s a liability.
The Commanders just can’t make a normal pick. Cornerback Christian Gonzales was taken with the next selection by the New England Patriots in a New York minute. (And they even reportedly traded down knowing that Rivera and Co. were enamored with Forbes and they would still get their guy.) Commanders fans would have loved that pick as much as they can unite on anything after three years of civil war over the team name and seemingly everything else with this franchise.
But, no, Washington has to show it’s smarter than everyone else. By the way, how’s that Jamin Davis pick working out? Fair at best after two underwhelming seasons. Davis was a reach and so is Forbes. Hopefully, the latter proves doubters wrong and feasts on passers.
Follow Rick Snider on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks
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