Washington Commanders' defensive star yet to make good on NFL postseason promise

29 May 2024 , 00:00

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Emmanuel Forbes has often been asked about his size (Image: Getty Images)

Washington Commanders' cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. has sparked fresh concerns about his physique, looking noticeably slimmer in the offseason.

The 23 year old, who was the No. 16 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has been under scrutiny for his weight throughout his career. Although the team lists him at 6-foot, 180 pounds, Forbes weighed in at a mere 166 pounds at the NFL Combine, raising eyebrows given his position. 

The Mississippi State alum made history as the lightest cornerback to be drafted since at least 2000, with no one under 170 pounds being selected before him. Despite the ongoing chatter about his lean frame during the draft process, it didn't deter the Commanders from snapping him up with their first-round pick.

Now, over a year later, a photo posted by high school athlete Zayion Cotton has reignited the conversation around Forbes' weight. Cotton, who attended Forbes' camp, shared an image on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, showing the two side by side, reports the Mirror US.

"Had a great time at your camp today @emmanuelforbes7 thanks for the signed jersey! ! ! " read the caption accompanying the photo, where Forbes is seen donning a team T-shirt and black shorts.

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In a recent viral social media post, the cornerback's legs looked notably slimmer compared to Cotton, who is listed by his high school, Grenada High School, as 6-foot-5 and weighing 190 pounds. Forbes, who showed his approval for the post by liking it, has been the talk of the town with many fans commenting on his physique.

Emmanuel Forbes Jr. vowed to bulk up during the offseason

Since his first press conference with the Commanders, he's had to tackle comments about his weight head-on. "Weight is going to come over time," he confidently stated a year ago.

"I'm not going to stress about it; they (the team) didn't have a problem with it, that's why they drafted me, so I'm just going to enjoy it and just keep on being myself and trying to gain weight but be comfortable."

"Honestly, they (teams) didn't really care too much about my weight because I can play ball. That's all that matters, and it never affected my game, so it really didn't play a factor."

"I've never once gotten on the field thinking about my size and what I can or what I can't do. I just go out there and play ball. That's something I did all my life, and I don't have anything to say to it. I let my play do all the talking."

Following the season's close, after a Week 18 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, Forbes again addressed his intention to bulk up. "I'm just gonna get my mind right first," he declared. "And then I'm gonna get in the weight room and on the field."

Following a challenging debut season that saw him demoted and removed from the starting lineup, Forbes has expressed optimism about the upcoming season being "a fresh start." He also commented on the new coaching staff under Dan Quinn, noting their high standards as they "demand perfectness."

Matthew Abbott