After two weeks of the preseason, we’ve begun to get a taste of real football. Of course, what we’ve seen through the first two weeks is not what we’ll see when the regular season kicks off in less than three weeks.
On Monday, ESPN released its latest power rankings and also named one player, coach, or general manager on the hot seat.
Let’s start with the Washington Commanders. ESPN has Washington ranked No. 28, down one spot from its previous power rankings after the 2024 NFL draft.
Considering Washington picked No. 2 in the draft and has yet to play a game, that’s more than fair.
Which player is on ESPN’s hot seat? That would be second-year cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.
Here’s what John Keim said of Forbes:
You could include WR Jahan Dotson and LB/DE Jamin Davis on this list as well. But Forbes is coming off a tough rookie season, and the 19th pick in the 2023 draft must show he’s worthy of starting this season. Forbes has to become more consistent in his techniques to become a consistent starter. At times he has shown good positioning to take away a deep ball; other times he’ll give up a long catch because his technique wasn’t sound enough. If he doesn’t become a consistent starter this season, his stay in Washington will be a brief one.
Keim is correct. You could make a case for all three former first-round picks, but Forbes is entering his second season and had a terrible rookie year. Forbes is not in danger of being released, but this is a make-or-break year for him. General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn want to give Forbes every opportunity to prove why he was selected in the first round.
Forbes will receive good coaching this year, something he lacked as a rookie. However, if he doesn’t respond, as Keim said, he won’t be around beyond the 2024 season.