Emmanuel Forbes

Career StatsB

Year	Team	GP	INT	PD	Tkl
Career		39	5	31	95
2025		17	3	18	45
2024		8	1	2	12
2023		14

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Performance versus salary tier earns Emmanuel Forbes a B Contract Value Index, with cap structure shaping the verdict. Forbes' 2025 season stats of 45 tackles and 3 interceptions across 17 games represent legitimate NFL-caliber production—a measurable step forward that aligns with his B performance grade and justifies the modest $3.85M AAV on his rookie scale deal. At cornerback, where proven starters command $12M+ annually, Forbes' current contract is a bargain if he sustains this trajectory, though the Rams' decision to decline his fifth-year option betrays organizational skepticism about whether this production runs deep or remains cyclical. At 25 years old in his third season, Forbes occupies the critical juncture where first-round pedigree meets prove-it pressure: the gap between his draft capital and his on-field consistency has been real, but the redemption narrative—anchored in his measurable 2025 improvement after being waived by Washington—offers a genuine pathway to closing that gap. The CVI grade reflects a player whose current salary is well-aligned with his demonstrated performance, not his potential; the upcoming season will determine whether the Rams view him as a long-term secondary cornerstone or a depth piece worth replacing, and his contract remains team-friendly enough to absorb either outcome without cap burden. Given the Rams' recent aggressive defensive acquisitions—including the Myles Garrett trade and multiple defensive line signings—the organization appears positioned to evaluate Forbes on merit rather than necessity, a stance his modest deal structure fully supports.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Emmanuel's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Emmanuel Forbes entered the NFL as a first-round pick with exceptional ball-hawking instincts, and his early returns justify the investment. After a rocky C+ debut season and a difficult D+ sophomore campaign, Forbes has rebounded sharply in 2025 with a B-grade performance that signals genuine development. For a cornerback still finding his footing, this upward trajectory is an encouraging sign. His pass-disruption numbers are genuinely elite — Forbes is recording 1.06 pass deflections per game, well above the NFL elite threshold of 0.91. His interception rate of 0.18 per game also exceeds the league average of 0.10, approaching the elite benchmark of 0.22. His tackle production at 2.65 per game sits near the league average of 2.31, reflecting his role as a coverage-first corner rather than a run-support asset. The passer rating and completion percentage allowed sitting at zero across his career snapshot suggests quarterbacks have occasionally refused to test him entirely — a quiet but telling endorsement. Forbes draws favorable comparisons to early-career Stephon Gilmore, a player who required a few seasons to harness his elite tools into consistent production. If Forbes sustains this 2025 breakout, a true CB1 ceiling is within reach heading into his prime years.

How Emmanuel Compares at the Position

Emmanuel Forbes ranks 44th of 270 graded cornerbacks by performance. That slots Emmanuel between Brandon Stephens (B) just ahead and Jourdan Lewis (B) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Emmanuel Forbes Jr. enters 2026 as a depth cornerback fighting for roster relevance after the Rams declined his fifth-year option, signaling organizational doubt about his trajectory. Media coverage reflects a player in career limbo—while one feature highlighted his 'thriving' resurgence with Los Angeles following his Commanders waiver, the dominant narrative frames him as 'auditioning' for an NFL future rather than a secure contributor. The comparison to Trent McDuffie underscores the gap between Forbes' current production (5 career interceptions, 31 passes defended) and elite cornerback standards, positioning him as a cautionary tale of draft potential unfulfilled. Fan and media perception is decidedly pessimistic, viewing him as a reclamation project rather than a building block, with the contract decline and waiver history creating skepticism about his long-term viability. Heading into 2026, Forbes must prove he can sustain the positive momentum from his Rams audition or risk becoming a journeyman depth piece.