One of the biggest question marks heading into the 2024 season was whether second-year cornerback Emmanuel Forbes would improve. The 2023 first-round pick had a nightmarish rookie season that saw him benched multiple times.
New general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn didn’t make any significant moves at cornerback outside of drafting Mike Sainristil in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft. Sainristil immediately took ownership of the slot corner position.
The Commanders made other moves, such as signing veterans Michael Davis and Noah Igbinoghene, but neither threatened Forbes or Benjamin St-Juste.
Peters was counting on the new coaching staff, specifically Quinn, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., secondary coach Tommy Donatell, assistant defensive backs coach William Gay, and defensive pass game coordinator Jason Simmons, to help Forbes improve his game.
Forbes got off to a rough start in the joint practice with the New York Jets, struggling against Garrett Wilson. While most cornerbacks will struggle against a receiver of Wilson’s caliber, it was still discouraging for fans looking for hope.
Quinn and Whitt have said all the right things about Forbes. Quinn said they wanted Forbes to add weight in the offseason. He did. And they were impressed by his work ethic since they arrived this year.
On Thursday, Peters spoke specifically about Forbes for the first time and offered some encouraging updates.
“Internally, we feel better than externally,” Peters said about the cornerback position in an appearance on “Grant and Danny” of 106.7 The Fan in Washingon D.C.
“All of these guys have gotten better. Emmanuel Forbes has gotten significantly better, and that’s a testament to how he’s practiced, how he’s worked and how he’s been coached.”
Peters then named Simmons and Whitt, specifically those who helped Forbes — and praised Forbes’ work.
That last part is another indictment of the former coaching staff. Peters wasn’t doing this to take a shot at anyone. He was speaking the truth. Forbes and the rest of the roster received poor coaching last season. There was never a question about Forbes’ talent, only his slight frame. Quinn and Whitt have a strong history of developing defensive backs, and the hope is that Forbes will benefit from a much-improved coaching staff this season.