Emmanuel Forbes (CB) / Mississippi State / Junior
6’1” / 166 lbs (Official)
2022 Stats: 12 games, 26 solo tackles, 20 assists, 46 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 6 INT, 10 passes defended, 3 touchdowns
{Reference: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/emmanuel-forbes-1.html}
Awards: 2022 Consensus All-America
Measurables: QBR when targeted – 42.8, Wingspan – N/A, Arm length – 32.25, Hand – 8.5, 40-yard – 4.35, 10-yard split – 1.48, Vertical – 37.5, Broad – N/A (Combine)
Games Watched: [Joe] 2022 vs. Texas A&M, 2022 vs. Arkansas, 2022 @ Kentucky. [Nino] 2022 vs Alabama, 2022 vs Texas A&M, 2022 vs Kentucky
PRO’S
[Joe] Emmanuel Forbes is a tall, lanky, and very athletic CB capable of contesting the catch point against any WRs. His long arms also lend to that ability, and which he also effectively uses to jam WRs at the line in press coverage. Not fast-fast, but fast enough to stay with some of the elite WRs coming out in this draft, with a very nice hip fluidity to transition from back-pedal to run.
Forbes is a seemingly high IQ football player with a good understanding of route concepts which, combined with his other traits, allow him to undercut the pass. Good ball tracking skills too, which lends to his incredibly high amount of INTs and passes defended. Again, not fast-fast, but his long strides quickly eat up turf.
[Nino] Forbes ball production was upper echelon in his time at Mississippi State with 20 PDs, 14 INTs and 6 TDs. His numbers had potential to be much higher but a lot of QBs were afraid to test Forbes! He has a high football IQ and consistently finds a way to make plays (12:16 left i 4th qtr vs Texas A&M, Forbes is lined up to the top of the screen with a 6 yd cushion, before QB Maxx Johnson even makes a throwing motion, Forbes is on the WR and instantly breaks up the pass). Obviously with 12 PDs in 2022, Forbes has ball hawking ability as well tracking the ball well downfield. Can get his head around quickly to disrupt the play. Forbes might as well be ‘Elmers’ with how sticky his coverage is on WRs. He also is able to jam WRs at LOS and disrupt a lot of timing with the QB.
CON’S
[Joe] Forbes has a few too many missed tackles in open space and does struggle in navigating through traffic. Some not-so-great angles taken in this regard, too, which added to those struggles. Surrenders the inside to the WR too often, and if you watch his game tape you’ll see that’s often where the damage against him occurs (but it’s also where he gets many of his INTs). Run defense is a weakness, which is not a surprise given his leanness, but I don’t think it’s as bad as you’d might expect given that he does not shy away from the responsibility.
[Nino] Forbes is an aggressive ball hawk which could lead to getting burnt by double moves at the next level (11:51 left in the 2nd qtr vs Alabama, WR goes in motion thru the backfield Forbes gets aggressive and tries to bump his WR to get to motion WR and gets burnt on the fake over the top for 1st down). Forbes will have to tame the aggressiveness slightly. Forbes also tries to help in run support but his 166 lbs frame tends to work against him. Tends to be more of an arm tackler then a wrap tackler which can lead to missed tackles.
OVERALL
[Joe] 14 INTs total in his 3-year NCAA career, which will leave NFL GMs drooling. Forbes led the SEC and NCAA in INTs in 2020 (5) and 2022 (6), as well as interception return yards and INTs returned for touchdowns BOTH of those years. I had to italicize and underline some of those points because they are remarkable and consistent. And his 2021 season, while a little down in comparison, was very similar to ‘20 and ‘22. It is appropriate to call him a ball hawk, but many of his INTs and returns for TDs have come off under thrown or inaccurate passes or passes off the hands of WRs, rather than truly great coverage. Regardless, we’re talking about 3 years of production that most CBs could not get in a lifetime, let alone against mostly SEC WRs. Need a potential ball hawk because the CBs you already have can’t catch a ball (like many CBs who are converted WRs for this reason)? Then Forbes is your man. Forbes should be an extremely scheme-versatile player in the NFL, and an effective chess piece who can be kept on the field on all downs and in various types of defenses.
[Nino] Emmanuel Forbes could sneak into the end of the 1st round but is a lock for a top 2nd round pick. His ball hawking ability alone will have GMs and DC salivating at the mouth especially if paired with a true lockdown DB. Forbes plays at 110% and is willing to sacrifice his body for the play which will earn locker room respect quickly. Player Comp: Al Harris
Completed by: @JoeJ_Clark, 01/22/23 (Updated 03/25/23)
Added to: @NinoBrown_T2T, 03/24/23
Reviewed & edited: J. Clark, 03/25/23
