Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes appeared in his first NFL game Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. The first-round pick played 40 snaps in his debut, and his most memorable play came on Arizona’s last offensive play.
On fourth-and-10 with just over one minute remaining, Forbes undercut the route and broke up QB Joshua Dobbs’ pass intended for Michael Wilson, ending the game. Forbes should have had his first career interception on the play.
.@Commanders said NOPE
: #AZvsWAS on FOX
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/2N174Pljto
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
In all, Forbes finished his first NFL game with three tackles, including one for loss and defended one pass.
How did Forbes grade out per Pro Football Focus? PFF graded all 31 first-round picks, with Forbes ending Week 1 with the 11th-highest grade [67.2] among the 2023 first-round picks.
Here’s PFF’s analysis:
Forbes acclimated well in his Washington debut, racking up four tackles, two stops and a pass breakup. His one mistake was a busted coverage that went for a 31-yard gain, but he gave up only one other catch for eight yards. Forbes played a mostly sound game, and his development will be fun to watch against better competition.
Not a bad debut for Forbes. If you ask him, though, he’d tell you he should’ve come away with an interception on Arizona’s final play.
The Commanders face the Denver Broncos in Week 2.