On Thursday, ESPN.com's Bill Barnwell ranked every NFL team's biggest mistake of the past five years.
Coming in at No. 27 was the Washington Commanders' choice to select Emmanuel Forbes, Jr. with the 16th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Forbes, who was waived by Washington in November and subsequently claimed by the Los Angeles Rams, struggled mightily across 20 career appearances for the Commanders. After being drafted by Ron Rivera's regime and starting six games as a rookie, he was never seen as a developmental priority by the organization's new staff.
Forbes' small size was a concern out of college despite being the all-time FBS leader in pick-sixes, and that hampered him in the NFL. He recorded only two interceptions throughout his time in D.C. and was routinely targeted in the passing game.
Making matters worse for Washington is that the player taken immediately after Forbes -- Christian Gonzalez of the New England Patriots -- has developed into a Pro Bowl-caliber player at the same position. After suffering a season-ending injury only four games into his rookie year, Gonzalez has put together a 2024 campaign with two interceptions, 11 passes deflected, 57 total tackles and a 63-yard scoop-and-score fumble recovery.
Forbes, meanwhile, has yet to play for the Rams and it seems likely his time in the NFL will be short-lived. He was a high-risk pick with a potential high reward that he never quite lived up to.
If there's any silver lining for Washington, it's that plenty of other teams have made much bigger mistakes in recent years. Drafting Forbes pales in comparison to the decision that claimed the No. 1 slot on Barnwell's list, that being the Cleveland Browns' deal for Deshaun Watson.
