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The Los Angeles Rams remained active in search of ways to upgrade the roster for the final stretch of the regular season. They landed a rather intriguing flier on the waiver wire from an NFC rival, claiming cornerback Emmanuel Forbes off waivers from the Washington Commanders, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and others.
The Commanders cut Forbes, the No. 16 overall pick of the 2023 draft, on November 30.
Their decision represents a turning of the page, as general manager Adam Peters & Co. clean out players drafted by the previous regime. Forbes was the final Commanders’ first-round pick selected between 2019 and 2023 on the roster.
The Commanders have now cut or traded away all six first-round picks from 2019-2023.
2023, CB Emmanuel Forbes – cut
2022, WR Jahan Dotson – traded
2021, LB Jamin Davis – cut
2020, DE Chase Young – traded
2019, QB Dwayne Haskins – cut
2019, DE Montez Sweat – traded
“A fresh start,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said in his post on X reporting the news of the Rams’ move.
It is a needed reset for Forbes. He posted the Bible verse Job 18:7-17, which describes the fate of the wicked, following his release. Forbes is in Year 2 of a four-year, $15.4 million rookie scale contract.
The Rams are on the hook for $915,000 of that this season, per Over The Cap.
Rams Land Former Commanders Draft Bust Emmanuel Forbes Off Waivers
- GettyFormer Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (13) during training camp.
Forbes has 7 total tackles and 1 interception this season, starting one of the six games he has played in.
He started six games as a rookie, finishing the campaign with 38 combined stops, 11 deflections, and 1 pick. But opposing quarterbacks have completed 6-of-8 passes (75%) in his direction this season, per Pro Football Reference.
He allowed 60.7% completion as a rookie.
Pro Football Focus ranked him the 32nd in defensive grade among second-year cornerbacks out of 34 qualifiers. PFF also ranked him 31st in coverage.
“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,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlien wrote pre-draft in 2023. “He pounces on quick-game throws and has the ball skills to take the ball away.
He notably got his first career interception against the Broncos.
First career INT for Emmanuel Forbes! @emmanuelforbes7
📺: #WASvsDEN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus t.co/FhXtx7w3wW
“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,” Zierlien wrote. “Forbes could become an early starter with quality ball production, but teams might need to expect some up-and-down performances.”
Zierlien noted Forbes’ slender frame and lack of playing strength as potential issues then.
Forbes’ size has proven problematic on more than one occasion. But he is young enough to improve, and the Rams did not surrender draft capital to land him.
Rams Cut Former UDFA to Add Emmanuel Forbes
GettyCharles Woods #21 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Rams had to make a corresponding roster move, so they parted with defensive back Charles Woods, per the team on December 2.
Woods, 24, has played in nine games this season. He has not been targeted on defense, logging most of his snaps on special teams. The Rams start Kamren Curl and Quentin Lake at safety with rookies Kamren Kinchens and Jaylen McCollough mixing in.
Xavier Smith rightfully getting credit for that explosive punt return, but need to show some love to Charles Woods (21) and Kam Kinchens (26) on this play as well. Their blocking was huge in allowing Smith to aggressively plant his foot, one-cut and go
Woods could still be a candidate to return to the Rams’ practice squad if he goes unclaimed.
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