Cardinals Scouting Report: Emmanuel Forbes, An Excellent Round-Two Target

Many talented prospects should fall to where Arizona is picking in round two. One of them could very well be Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, who is seamlessly getting underrated. While there are many positions of need for Arizona, grabbing a good Cornerback prospect in the second would be wise. Here, we look further into who he is and what he might bring to the table for Arizona.

Background:

Entering college, Forbes was a four-star recruit per ESPN and 247Sports. He also played baseball and basketball in high school. He started nine games in his freshman season, where he came away with five picks and five PBUs. Forbes has since come away with 14 picks and had 17 PBUs over his three-year career. While he struggled in coverage early on, he continuously improved and gave up fewer yards every year.

Strengths:

Emmanuel Forbes is a lengthy perimeter corner with plus athleticism. He faired very well in press coverage, where he used his long arms to jam the receiver’s release. The most impressive attribute of his game is his ball-hawking ability. He has a phenomenal catch radius and times his breakups perfectly. Furthermore, he dominated in man coverage, whether off-coverage or press coverage. He showed fantastic mirroring ability when asked to do so. Forbes plays with an aggressive mindset, leading to him coming away with many plays as a corner. Additionally, he is one of the most experienced corners in this class in different coverage schemes. While he thrives in press coverage, he has the versatility to play zone or use a trail technique.

Weaknesses:

The most apparent flaw with Forbes is his slender frame at only 6’0″, 180 lbs. This raises some questions about how he’ll hold up against more physical receivers. Moreover, his lack of discipline and eyes will get him in trouble. Because he plays zones aggressively, he is susceptible to giving up the big play. Forbes also doesn’t have the most outstanding long speed, which could prevent him from ever being more than a number two guy.

Why He’s Worth Consideration For The Second-Round Pick.

While another pass-rusher would undoubtedly be a helpful addition alongside Jalen Carter/ Will Anderson Jr., Forbes should be in the discussion for this pick. He is a reliable day-one starter and should fit this match-heavy scheme well. This second-round selection all depends on who is available, but this would be an option that would fill a massive void in the secondary.