While waiting for the post-season draft sheets, the editorial staff of DNA of Sports offers you a spotlight on the future nuggets who will join the NFL in 2023.
Emmanuel Forbes
Born January 13, 2001 in Grenada, Mississippi
1m83 for 82 kilos
Cornerback, Mississippi State, junior
During the 2023 draft, the cornerback position will be one of the best supplied in talent. Who will be the first chosen? Impossible to say at the moment. Emmanuel Forbes is one of the candidates.
If I were a quality: gifted
In football, the most gifted in high schools are used on both sides of the ball: 8 interceptions including 2 returned for a touchdown in defense, 500 yards and 7 touchdowns when lined up as a receiver, during his last year. Going up a floor was therefore not a problem for him.
From his first university season, Emmanuel Forbes did not need to adapt: he played 10 games, 9 of which he started. To be a holder in the best university conference: a performance as freshman. And from his very first steps, he had an impact.
If I were a stat: 14 interceptions
His 1st university season, he signed 5 interceptions including 3 returned for a touchdown! His name was very quickly registered on all NFL scout books. He does that again in 2021 with 3 more interceptions. He was therefore expected in 2022: he responds with 6 interceptions including 3 returned for a TD! In just 10 games.
Above all, he achieves his performance in the SEC conference. An NFL evaluator considers players according to several criteria: game intelligence, athletic qualities and production. This last item is necessarily to be put into perspective because the level of play in the NFL is much higher.
There is, however, one conference where individual stats have value: the South Eastern Conference. That of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Tennessee and other Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Auburn. Succeeding against these opponents gives players credit.
If I were a defect: physical
Possessing a rather slender build, Emmanuel Forbes lacks a bit of power. Against Georgia, ten days ago, this lack was highlighted: blocked by tight-end Darnell Washington, allowing a touchdown on the ground in the 3rd quarter. In the 4th QT, it is a receiver who holds him in respect for another touchdown on the ground on his side!
He will have to flesh out his physique for this mission, secondary for a cornerback, but nevertheless essential: to help stop the race. In the NFL, he will also face fast receivers: if he is not slow, he is not the type of cornerbacks who will be noticed with a time of 4.30 and some during the NFL Combine.
Xavien Howard (Dolphins) is also not a fast cornerback and yet one of the best in the NFL. But he is stronger than Emmanuel Forbes! The rookie will have to strengthen his physique while improving his explosiveness. He is therefore a talent to develop: nothing new for a (future) rookie in the NFL.
If I were a date: at Ole Miss on November 24
With campuses only 120 kilometers apart, the state’s two major universities are of course rivals! Competing to recruit the best high school students in the area, and once a year on the football field. Winning this match is very important in this region and this week will be the 119th meeting between the two entities.
Many stories maintain this pepper: like receiver AJ Brown (Titans), a native of Starkville where the MSU campus sits, who signs with Ole Miss: he had received death threats! Like the celebration of Elijah Moore (Jets) imitating a dog relieving his bladder in the opposing end zone, after a touchdown.
In NFL the pressure is terrible! So playing high-stakes matches in front of tens of thousands of spectators, under the cameras of national antennas, trains the players in what awaits them on Sundays. If he shines in the night from Thursday to Friday (start at 1 a.m.), this will necessarily have an impact on his rating for the NFL Draft.
If I were a draft pick: 1st round
Four cornerbacks were drafted in the 1st round in 2022, five in 2021. Of course, it is always possible to win the cup on the Saturday of the draft: Jack Jones (Patriots / 4th round) and Tariq Woolen (Seahawks / 5th round) in 2022. But cornerback is one of the positions of prime importance so Emmanuel Forbes could be selected in the 1st round. But in the 2023 draft, he will be competing against a few talented players.
If I was an NFL player: Darius Slay (Eagles)
Complete coincidence, the Philadelphia player also comes from Mississippi State. And if he started his rookie season slowly, he then chained seasons at 17, 13 and 13 passes defended with the Lions. The following year, he was just unplayable with 26 PDs including 8 interceptions in 2017!
Since 2020, he has defended the colors of Philadelphia and despite his 31 years his performance has not dropped: 9 defended passes including 3 interceptions in 10 games in 2022. Like his elder, Emmanuel Forbes offers a profile of playmaker.
If I were an NFL team: Arizona Cardinals
So yes Kyler Murray could do better, and what about Kliff Kingsbury! But with such permissive air cover, they can’t get enough wins: after 10 games in 2022, the Cardinals were the 29th team with the most yards in the air!
During the 2022 draft, they took care of the pass rush with the selections of Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders. In 2023, they absolutely must strengthen the defensive backfield: pressure and coverage are linked and interact.
Especially since Byron Murphy, Antonio Hamilton and Trayvon Mullen will be out of contract after this season. Not everyone will be resigned, not everyone necessarily deserves it. Arizona could then turn to the draft in 2023.
MISSISSIPPI STATE PICK SIX! 🐶
Emmanuel Forbes signs his 2nd interception of the quarter.
42-17. It’s the Jimbo pickle. pic.twitter.com/PnrA7kFukm
— The Trick Play Podcast – NCAA/CFB (@TheTrickPlayFR) October 1, 2022
