Tag: Darrick Forrest

Ranking Commanders 25 most important players for 2023: No. 23

Darrick Forrest is the latest Day 3 draft pick to become a standout for the Commanders.

As we look toward the 2023 regular season, we count down the most important players for the Washington Commanders ahead of training camp. On Monday, No. 24 was running back Antonio Gibson.

We continue our countdown with No. 23, safety Darrick Forrest.

Entering the 2022 NFL season, Forrest was a backup safety and key special teamer. As a rookie fifth-round pick in 2021, Forrest played only eight games. In those eight games, he mainly played on special teams. He played 26 defensive snaps, 20 of which were in Week 18.

In 2022, Forrest stood out in training camp, and it was clear he would impact the defensive depth chart at some point during the season. That came in Week 1. With starting safety Kamren Curl out with a wrist injury, Forrest moved into the starting lineup and played so well that he earned himself a promotion for the remainder of the season.

In the Week 1 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Forrest played 96% of the Commanders’ defensive snaps, recorded five tackles, defended two passes, forced a fumble and had a game-changing interception.

It was truly a breakout performance from Forrest. He played 100% of the snaps in Week 2. Curl returned in Week 3, and while Forrest remained a part of Washington’s rotation in the secondary, he didn’t become a permanent starter until Week 10. From that point forward, he played 100% of Washington’s defensive snaps for the final eight games.

Now, Forrest is an integral part of Washington’s defense. The Commanders released veteran Bobby McCain in the offseason and spent a first-round pick on cornerback Emmanuel Forbes and a second-round pick on Quan Martin. Forbes will be one of Washington’s top three corners, while Martin can play the slot, outside cornerback, or safety. Martin is expected to cover the slot for the Commanders, but much of that will be determined in training camp.

Everyone knew Forrest was a physical presence who could impact the running game. However, Forrest proved he could handle playing deep safety, too. That type of versatility makes him a critical piece to Washington’s secondary.

Darrick Forrest is on the NFL’s All-Underrated Team in 2023

Darrick Forrest earning some well-deserved praise.

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The Washington Commanders could have one of the better secondaries in the NFL in 2023. After selecting defensive backs Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin in the first two rounds of the 2023 NFL draft, the Commanders have outstanding depth at cornerback and safety.

Washington has three starting-level corners in Forbes, Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste. Martin can play corner or safety. Speaking of safety, the Commanders have Kamren Curl, Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Reaves and Percy Butler.

Curl receives a lot of praise — and deservedly so — but Forrest’s emergence last season helped take Washington’s defense to another level. Initially, when Curl missed the first two games, Forrest filled in for him. When Curl returned, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio made Forrest a starter alongside Curl.

Forrest was outstanding last season. He played in all 17 games, recorded 88 tackles and tied for the team lead with four interceptions.

Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire recently named his All-Underrated Team, picking a secret superstar for all 32 NFL teams. Forrest was his pick for the Commanders.

2022 was effectively a rookie season for Forrest, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 draft out of Cincinnati, but saw just 26 defensive snaps and 15 in coverage then. Washington saw fit to bump that up severely to 849 snaps and 508 in coverage last season, and Forrest responded quite well. Playing everywhere from outside cornerback to the box to the slot to free safety, Forrest allowed 25 catches on 46 targets for 308 yards, 119 yards after the catch, four touchdowns, four interceptions, five pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 68.0 — sixth-best among all safeties playing at least 50% of their defenses’ snaps.

Perhaps the most encouraging thing about Forrest’s 2022 season is how much he improved as it went along. He was in a bit over his skis to start, and that resulted in some out-of-position busts against the run and the pass. But as things progressed, Forrest became much more of the kind of deep-third player who could be trusted to make the big play at the right time. This athletic interception of a Jalen Hurts deep attempt to A.J. Brown in Week 10 is one such example.

The former fifth-round pick is a secret no more.

 

The NFL’s All-Underrated Team: One Secret Superstar for all 32 teams

From Matt Milano to Denico Autry to Tyler Lockett to Tony Pollard, here are the NFL’s most underrated players by team.

Why are great players underrated in any sport?

There are all kinds of reasons. In football, it could be that the guy playing your position is even better than you are, and he’s been doing it longer. Maybe we only have the attention span for one great player at your position Maybe you’re on a team that doesn’t get much national praise, or you’re part of a unit that… well, stinks… and you’re one of the few bright spots. Or, you’re just getting started on the ascent, and the world hasn’t quite caught up yet.

No matter the reason, there are many NFL players who ply their trade at an exceedingly high level, and they’re not given their proper due. Here, we look to rectify this in 32 individual instances with the most underrated player for every NFL team. Some of these guys have been doing it the right way in the shade for a long time for their teams; a few are new in their uniforms.

No matter why, all 32 of these NFL players deserve more love than they get, and here’s why. Here is every NFL team’s most underrated player.

(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions unless otherwise indicated). 

Percy Butler could be the next breakout player in the Commanders’ secondary

Keep an eye on Percy Butler this summer.

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The Washington Commanders selected former Louisiana safety Percy Butler in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft to fill a hybrid role in the secondary. Not only could Butler play safety, but he could also play the Buffalo nickel position in Jack Del Rio’s defense.

Additionally, Butler was known for his outstanding work on special teams.

What the Commanders didn’t envision in 2022 was second-year safety Darrick Forrest being so good. Washington loved Forrest — a fifth-round pick in 2021 — but after barely playing on defense as a rookie, no one was certain he’d be ready for an expanded role in 2022.

Forrest exceeded all expectations, starting the first two games in place of the injured Kamren Curl. Forrest was so good the Commanders adjusted their secondary and made him a permanent starter. He was outstanding at times, bringing a physical presence to the running game and tying for the team lead with four interceptions.

In the offseason, Washington used a first-round pick on cornerback Emmanuel Forbes and a second-round pick on defensive back Quan Martin. Martin can play all over the secondary, with many envisioning him in the slot as a rookie.

So where does that leave Butler?

Quietly, Butler is having a terrific offseason, standing out in OTAs and in minicamp. Butler had an interception on the final day of minicamp Thursday, leading Sam Fortier of The Washington Post to tweet this:

Head coach Ron Rivera mentioned Butler’s name unprompted Thursday when he was asked what to expect from the defense in 2023.

“You see the growth and development, especially out of guys like D-Foe [S Darrick Forrest] and [CB] Benjamin [St-Juste] and those guys in the secondary, they have that much potential for growth,” Rivera said. “You see Percy [Butler] out there and see him running around, and that’s good to see.”

No one asked about Butler. Rivera mentioned him.

If everyone remains healthy, Washington’s secondary has a chance to be really good in 2023. There is finally depth at cornerback with Kendall Fuller, St-Juste, Forbes and Danny Johnson. Martin and Butler can also play cornerback. At safety, there is Curl, Forrest, Butler, Jeremy Reaves and Martin.

Butler is an excellent athlete who plays fast. With one year of NFL experience under his belt, he could be the next Washington defender to enjoy a breakout season.

The top 5 Washington draft choices for Ron Rivera

We look back at Ron Rivera’s top five draft choices thus far, beginning with No. 5.

Head coach Ron Rivera is now heading toward his fourth NFL season as the Commander-in-chief of the NFL’s Washington franchise.

The 2023 NFL draft only a couple of weeks behind us, leaves the question, who have been the top five draft choices for Rivera in the coach-centric leadership role he possesses here in Washington?

This week (Monday-Friday) Commanders Wire will reveal in ascending order the top-five draft choices Ron Rivera has made in his three earlier drafts. Consequently, none of the 2023 NFL draft will be eligible for this list, seeing they have yet to play in the NFL.

Of course, the very nature of such a question lends itself to subjectivity at least to some degree. I have attempted to remain as objective as possible. Though, I certainly agree with all of us there are at times a blurring of the distinction between objectivity and subjectivity.

Further, initially keep in mind that it is still much too early to know what Jahan Dotson, Phidarian Mathis, Percy Butler and Sam Howell are going to provide from the 2022 class.

Honorable Mention:

Chase Young also does not make our top five on the list because of virtually no productivity from the 2021 and 2022 seasons. But because of his high productivity in 2020, he nearly made the list and deserves an honorable mention.

Other honorable mention draftees during the Rivera era: Darrick Forrest and John Bates.

So here goes the list of the top five draft choices by Ron Rivera during his three seasons here in Washington (2020-22).

No. 5: Brian Robinson Jr.  RB Alabama, 2022

Robinson was chosen in the third round of the 2022 draft the 98th overall selection.

The former Crimson Tide running back made his impression in training camp and the preseason games, earning the starting role, dethroning Antonio Gibson.

Robinson, however, was shot twice in an attempted robbery of his car in downtown Washington just prior to the regular season. Missing only the first month of the season, Robinson made what many felt was a remarkable recovery, playing in 12 games, rushing 205 times for 797 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The hard-running Robinson brought toughness to the Washington offense in 2022, rushing for 49 first downs often in tight formations in predominantly known to be running / short-yardage downs.

Robinson no doubt would have accomplished much more; however, the Commanders offensive line fell back quite a bit in 2022 from its 2021 accomplishments.

The Commanders have addressed their offensive line this 2023 offseason bringing in two new starters likely in Andrew Wylie and Nick Gates and drafting a possible starter in Ricky Stromberg, a center from Arkansas.

With the planned move of Sam Cosmi from tackle to guard, the run game could be improved, and Washington fans could see even more production from Brian Robinson in 2023.

 

Commanders 2023 NFL draft prospect profile: Alabama DB Brian Branch

Brian Branch’s versatility all over the secondary could be attractive to the Commanders.

The 2023 NFL draft is one week away, and we here at Commanders Wire will look to profile multiple 2023 prospects daily leading up to day one of the draft.

We will focus on prospects who could be available for Washington and who fit a position of need. Our prospect profiles will not be exclusive to projected first-round picks only but also players who will be selected on the second and third days of the NFL draft.

The Commanders are first on the clock at No. 16 overall.

Today, we profile Alabama defensive back Brian Branch.

PFF ranks Kam Curl as a top 5 safety in 2022

Curl is now due for an extension.

The 2022 season was a big one for Washington Commanders safety Kamren Curl. The third-year safety — and former seventh-round draft pick — from Arkansas had become one of the most important players on Washington’s defense.

Unfortunately, Curl’s 2022 season began on a disappointing note. Curl injured his thumb in a preseason game at Kansas City, which led to surgery and him missing the first two games. Washington’s defense struggled in those two games.

Curl returned in Week 3, and the Commanders immediately improved. Throughout the season, Washington’s defense eventually became a consistent top-10 defense. In some metrics, the Commanders were a top-5 defense.

While Washington’s defensive line received most of the credit, and rightfully so, the secondary was outstanding at times. Curl was a primary reason for that success, as evidenced by his absence over the season’s final three games. The Commanders missed Curl badly in losses to San Francisco and Cleveland in Weeks 16 and 17, respectively. Those losses ended Washington’s postseason chances.

One of the big topics surrounding the Commanders would be if they signed Curl to an extension this offseason. That appears to be a priority and a matter of if, not when.

Pro Football Focus was high on Washington’s safeties throughout the season, particularly Curl. Curl ended the 2022 season ranked as PFF’s No. 4 safety.

Curl has provided an incredible return on investment for the Commanders after being a seventh-round pick in 2020. He replaced an injured Landon Collins as a rookie, made him expendable and then improved each year since. Curl posted top-10 grades as a run defender (80.5) and in coverage (80.8) in 2022 — both career highs for the former Razorback.

Curl has provided significant flexibility for Washington’s defense, often manning the box and helping take away running backs and tight ends as mismatch options. He posted a 4.7% missed tackle rate (sixth) while acting as a second linebacker.

Washington appears to finally have a young core of safeties to build around in Curl, Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Reaves and Percy Butler. It’s a welcome sight for the Commanders who’ve spent big money on the position for years, including the horrendous signing of Landon Collins.

Now, it’s Curl’s turn to get paid.

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Commanders release defensive back Bobby McCain

McCain played in all 34 games for Washington the last two seasons.

The Washington Commanders released slot cornerback/safety Bobby McCain Monday, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Per Schefter, the move will save Washington $4.42 million against the 2023 salary cap. McCain is the first major move ahead of free agency as the Commanders look to create more cap space. Releasing quarterback Carson Wentz, which is expected at any time, will save Washington over $26 million against the salary cap.

McCain signed with the Commanders in May 2021 after he was released by the Miami Dolphins. He played in all 32 games over the last two seasons for Washington, making 32 starts. McCain played free safety in 2021 and signed a two-year extension in the offseason. While he began the season at free safety in 2022, the emergence of second-year safety Darrick Forrest allowed McCain to play slot cornerback.

In two seasons with the Commanders, McCain recorded 139 tackles and four interceptions.

McCain played well for Washington, but the Commanders have several young players in the secondary they like, such as Kamren Curl, Forrest, Percy Butler and Jeremy Reaves.

WATCH: Best of Commanders’ 2022 Season Mic’d Up

Which Commanders were the best “mic’d up” in 2022?

Mic’d up always brings out the best (and sometimes the worst) in player’s personalities.

The Commanders have produced a 10:03 video of what they feel were the best Mic’d-up moments of this past 2022 season.

For me, the best was second-year safety Darrick Forrest. Forrest is captured on the Commanders bench, with his back to the camera. He apparently hears players discussing which player(s) were mic’d up for that particular game.

An unseen teammate is heard declaring to Forrest that Forrest is mic’d up. In disbelief, Forrest suddenly sits up, and turns to his right back, looking behind the bench at a camera person he has been noticing filming the players.

Forrest then asks, “I’m mic’d up?” He pauses for a second, audibly thinks out loud, “What the (pause)?” Realizing he is being filmed, he then asks, “Why ain’t nobody tell me?”

To which the unseen teammate tells Forrest, “Stop cursing, there’s kids watching.” Forrest then turns again to the camera person behind and simply says, “My bad.”

Another favorite is Kam Curl on the sidelines when he is absolutely amazed by an acrobatic catch by Terry McLaurin.

Here is the entire video presentation.

Commanders’ top defensive player grades for 2022 season, per PFF

We review the top-10 ranked defensive players for the Commanders in 2022.

You can’t blame the Washington Commanders’ defense for not making the postseason in 2022. After struggling in 2021, Jack Del Rio’s unit rebounded in a big way, as Washington’s defense was statistically one of the best in the NFL.

Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen followed up his Pro Bowl season with another in 2022. Allen was outstanding. Fellow DT, Daron Payne, enjoyed a breakout campaign setting new career highs in sacks [11.5] and tackles for loss [18]. Payne earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl and becomes a free agent in March.

Safety Kamren Curl missed the first two games and the last three. In doing so, he proved his value as the Commanders missed him badly. However, second-year safety Darrick Forrest took a step forward and was terrific in 2022. Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste also enjoyed a breakout season but was hampered by an injury over the final five weeks.

Washington’s defense was in the top 10 in all major statistical categories, including Football Outsiders’ total defensive DVOA.

Who graded out as Washington’s top defensive player in 2022? We review Pro Football Focus’ top 10 graded Commanders from last season. For a player to qualify, he had to play at least seven games.