The Bengals were expected to claim former first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes following the Commander’s release

CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Bengals should claim former first-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.

The commanders released him on Saturday. He has struggled since the Commanders selected him in the first round (16th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Bengals were intrigued by Forbes during the draft process and would have seriously considered him with the 28th overall pick had he fallen to them in the 2023 NFL Draft, sources familiar with the situation confirmed at the time.

They thought Forbes would be long gone on draft day, and he was after Washington picked him 12 picks ahead of the Bengals. He’s a scrappy cornerback but made a ton of plays in college, finishing with 14 interceptions and six pick-sixes.

The Commanders bought Forbes at the deadline, but no one traded for him. He is now subject to waivers.

Forbes has 45 tackles, 12 passes defended and two interceptions in 19 NFL games.

Forbes has great length and speed (4.35 40-yard dash) and made a ton of plays in college, but struggled in his first two NFL seasons.

Maybe a change of scenery is just what he needs to bounce back after a poor start to his NFL career.

Forbes would give the Bengals another young cornerback behind Cam Taylor-Britt and Josh Newton. With DJ Turner II and Dax Hill out for the season, why not take a flyer on a player who was a top 20 draft pick less than 20 months ago?

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