Adam Peters spent his first year at the helm cleaning up the wreckage left by the previous Washington Commanders government. The general manager was unimpressed with Ron Rivera’s personnel decisions. This was especially noticeable in the outcome of the former head coach’s first-round picks.
Chase Young was dealt to the San Francisco 49ers before of the 2023 deadline. Jahan Dotson was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles before the 2024 season. Jamin Davis was waived after being unable to properly adapt to an edge-rushing role.
Then there’s Emmanuel Forbes Junior.
Rivera’s obsession with the cornerback during his final pre-draft evaluation was ill-conceived. He remained strong in his idea that he might develop into a shutdown presence on his way to being draughted 16th overall in 2023. It didn’t take long to realise that this was a serious error in judgement.
Forbes struggled to establish himself as a rookie. He struggled when given big responsibility.The new regime failed to improve his situation, and he was eventually executed.
Rivera waived the former Mississippi State standout to complete his first-round picks. The Los Angeles Rams signed Forbes, but he has yet to play in a competitive context.
Commanders’ decision to choose Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was deemed the worst move in five years.
This swiftly turned into a calamity of epic proportions. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell identified Washington’s decision to draft Forbes over Christian Gonzalez as their biggest blunder in the last five years.
“The new regime gave him 32 snaps as a starter in the Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers, but after committing a pass interference penalty in the third quarter, he was benched and never started another game for Washington.” After 72 additional defensive snaps over the next three months, the Commanders released Forbes in early December. The Rams claimed him on waivers and picked up the remaining $5 million on his contract, which the Commanders consider a victory. It’s impossible to criticise Peters & Co. for the previous regime’s blunders, but supporters can only think what would have happened if Rivera had made a different decision. The second player off the board in the first round was another cornerback, Patriots stud Christian Gonzalez, who could make the Pro Bowl this season.
Gonzalez was the more accomplished prospect to emerge. He had far superior college productivity and made a smooth transition to the pros. The Commanders would have benefited far more from his presence than Forbes, who never seemed to fit in and was shortly dismissed.
Rivera’s assessments did not meet the acceptable threshold. From neglecting left tackle Christian Darrisaw and stellar safety Kyle Hamilton in favour of Davis and Dotson to his consistent quarterback failures, it was a complete failure from beginning to end. Fortunately, the Commanders are in capable hands, with Peters heading the charge.
He has seen tremendous returns from his first draft class. Jayden Daniels is the Commanders’ franchise quarterback. The vast majority of their free-agent signings have been effective. This is a long cry from the way Rivera conducted business.
Cutting ties with Rivera was the only correct decision by ownership. Targeting Peters and persuading him to join this fascinating initiative was possibly Josh Harris’ best decision to yet.
As for Forbes? He has a lot of hard work ahead of him. But reaching the heights expected of a first-round pick seems unlikely.
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