2023 Raiders Draft Prospect : CB Emmanuel Forbes

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The Raiders need secondary help. With so many questions, a player like Mississippi State CB Emanuel Forbes could provide answers.

2023 Raiders Draft Prospect
Name: Emanuel Forbes
School: Mississippi State
Height: 6ft
Weight: 180 pounds

Coverage

In breaking down Forbes’ coverage ability, look at the three sides of his ability. From an instinct standpoint, the prospect possesses a knack for early route reading and diagnosis. In addition, on a mental approach, Forbes carries the confidence that will see him jump a route regularly, especially if a quarterback lofts a lazy out or comeback. The physical standpoint is where you will see the aggression of the Bulldog cornerback. Forbes loves to press, burrowing his hands in the wideout’s chest, making those five yards seem like fifty. Meanwhile, the player can operate in a zone, but that could be a waste of his skillset.

Ball Skills

The best ball skills in FBS. At this writing, Forbes’ thirteen interceptions and five pick-sixes during his career bring testimony to his comfortability with the ball in the air. First, the Mississippi State product never feels out of position with the ball in flight. More often than not, Forbes will attempt to bring late hands to the play. That is to say, instead of incurring pass interference, he will swing his head around and contact the wideout simultaneously. With the interception secured, the prospect can and will attempt to run the ball back. Also, the corner flashes the consistent talent of being able to outjump the wideout for the ball.

Tackling

While he displays the want to make stops, sometimes Forbes’ lack of weight hinders him. Granted, with such a wide tackle radius, tackling could eventually become a strength. Basically, Forbes must be able to secure the stop without depending on the grab and drag of the shoulder blow.

Intangibles

Mississippi State Head Coach Mike Leach extols Forbes’ virtues. During a play where a team picked off a pass, Forbes led the way. With key blocks downfield, Mississippi State scored. If you ask Forbes about his accomplishments, vast as they are, he will downplay them and place the team first. Additionally, Forbes brings infectious confidence to the field. In the line of cornerbacks to make the leap from Starkville to the NFL like Fred Smoot or Darius Slay, Forbes could be the most confident of all.

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Raiders Fit

Although Rock Ya-Sin, as of this writing, only surrendered a 40.9 opposing completion percentage, the Raiders need cornerbacks that can create turnovers. To this point, Ya-Sin only boats two career interceptions, none in the last twenty-two games. Meanwhile, Nate Hobbs yields a high completion percentage to opposing wideouts. If the Raiders want to put their offense in more favorable positions, a corner like Forbes fits the bill. No other cornerback in this draft has better ball instincts. Patrick Graham’s defense, so far, does not look like it will generate too many interceptions. As a result, leaving Forbes out on that proverbial island and letting him shadow a receiver, could be what the Raiders ordered.