5 things to know about the Rams’ new cornerback

Forbes was a highly touted prospect out of Mississippi State and the commanders loved him in the draft. They selected him with the 16th overall pick, making him the second cornerback; Devon Witherspoon was first at No. 5 overall.

As a first-round pick, Forbes has a fifth-year option on his contract in the 2027 season if the Rams want to exercise it.

There is no doubt that Forbes is fast. He showed that at the NFL Combine last year when he posted a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash. That was the fifth-fastest time of any player at the combine, just 0.09 seconds slower than the fastest player, DJ Turner.

The Commanders listed Forbes at 180 pounds, which is still a bit lighter for a cornerback — especially one who is 6-foot-3. However, he only weighed 166 pounds at the NFL combine. Either he’s gained some weight since entering the league or his weight is too much, but either way he’s still a slender cornerback who lacks a bit of physicality on the outside.

In 20 career games, Forbes has played a total of 371 snaps in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, he intercepted two passes and allowed five touchdown catches. All five of those touchdown receptions came in 2023, when he was a rookie, and he had an interception in each of his first two seasons.

He has a coverage grade of just 38.1 this season and is allowing seven catches on nine targets.

Forbes was a ball hawk in college, which was one of the main reasons he was drafted so early. He caught 14 passes in his career at Mississippi State. He had five in 2020, three in 2021 and six in his final season in 2022.

Of those 14 interceptions, he returned six for touchdowns: three in 2020 and three in 2022. His six interceptions returned for a touchdown is an FBS record and he ranks fourth in school history with 14 career picks.