Newly claimed CB Emmanuel Forbes has a chance to prove Rams fans wrong

The Los Angeles Rams were surprised to learn that they had successfully claimed a recently waived defensive back who was selected in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Washington Commanders have wasted no time in removing some of the underperforming draft picks from the Ron Rivera era, irrespective of their draft status. Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, who was drafted No. 16 overall in 2023, found that lesson out the hard way just a few days ago.

The Mississippi State product was waived by the team after the acquisition of Marshon Lattimore via trade and the emergence of rookie Mike Sainristil left him without a path to consistent snaps. The Los Angeles Rams, who seemingly like Forbes before the draft, took a chance on him by claiming him off waivers.

Forbes was unveiled in his new number and color scheme on social media, and the replies were not kind at all. His spindly frame was mocked relentlessly, with some comparing his legs to twigs and wondering how often he skips leg day in the gym. When you're a first-round pick who is cut midway through year 2, you earn that kind of mockery.

That won't stop Forbes from trying to turn things around. The Rams have fixed busted draft picks before, and they could so it again with such a young player.

Rams have what is needed to turn around Emmanuel Forbes

Forbes is generously listed a 6-0 and 180 pounds, as he weighed in at a concerningly skinny 166 pounds at the NFL Combine. That frame impacted his play, as he was incapable of covering more physical receivers and making an impact as a tackler in space because of it.

For the Rams to get the most out of him, they'll need to put him in a position to maximize the two standout skills. Forbes is quite speedy, as proven by his 4.35 seconds for his 40-yard dash time. What got him drafted high was his ball-hawking skills, as he picked off 14 passes in three college seasons and ran a record six of them back for touchdowns.

The Rams have been able to take Day 3 picks and mold a competent secondary over the years, which is a credit to a coaching staff that has often gone through some personnel changes in the last few years. Even if Forbes was an overdrafted Day 2 talent, he's still someone worth rolling the dice on.

As J.J. Watt reminded everyone on The Pat McAfee Show, players need the 'right situation.'

The Rams are not going to turn Forbes into Arnold Schwarzenegger in just a few weeks, but they can help him make some serious improvements that can erase the horrid end of his Washington tenure and be born anew.

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