The Baltimore Ravens’ cornerback room has been a mixed bag this season. Marlon Humphrey continues to dominate, playing at an All-Pro level from the slot and serving as the glue for the secondary.
However, the outside corner position has been a glaring weakness. Brandon Stephens has been awful. He gets beat every play, doesn't know who he's supposed to cover, and isn't helping the Ravens win.
The Ravens appeared to address this issue in last year’s draft, selecting Nate Wiggins in the first round. While Wiggins has shown promise, he is still learning the ropes at the NFL level. Fourth-round pick T.J. Tampa has also seen some snaps, but he’s far from a reliable option. The lack of consistent play on the outside remains a significant concern as Baltimore pushes for a postseason run.
Recently, the Washington Commanders released second-year cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, the 16th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Rams claimed former Commanders’ first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes Jr. on waivers, per source. pic.twitter.com/nyUdfCpgNk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2024
Forbes’ availability seemed like the perfect opportunity for the Ravens to add a high-upside player to their thin cornerback depth. Despite his struggles in Washington, Forbes is still young and has shown flashes of the talent that made him a first-round selection. Instead, Baltimore chose to pass.
The Ravens could have missed the perfect opportunity to fill much-needed roster spot for 2025
Forbes being released by Washington raised eyebrows across the league, as many viewed him as a low-risk, high-reward option for a team in need of help at cornerback. While his time with the Commanders was far from stellar, he demonstrated playmaking ability during his rookie year and possesses the raw talent that’s hard to find on the waiver wire.
The Ravens, however, decided not to take a chance. The decision to pass on Forbes could be the uncertainty about his development and the fully guaranteed nature of his contract. Still, the potential upside outweighs the risk for a player who could have contributed to a Ravens defense that’s been uncharacteristically inconsistent.
Baltimore's defense has generally performed well, ranking in the top half of the league in yards allowed per game. Yet, the glaring weakness at the outside cornerback position is blinding.
Forbes still has the potential to be a good CB. He had one interception and 11 passes defensed as a rookie but hasn't seen much playing time in year two. For a team like Baltimore, which prides itself on defense, Forbes could have fit in well. Now, with Forbes reportedly signing with the Los Angeles Rams, the Ravens may have let a future star slip through their fingers.
Stephens and fellow corner Ar'Darius Washington will be free agents this upcoming cycle, so snagging Forbes would have been a forward-thinking move. Baltimore could have set itself up nicely with a 2025 trio of Humphrey, Wiggins, and Forbes.
Only time will tell if Forbes can fulfill his potential with the Rams or if the Ravens dodged a bullet by sending him West. However, as things stand, Baltimore’s decision to pass on a talented young cornerback leaves plenty of room for second-guessing. There's no doubt the Ravens missed an opportunity to build out a young core of CBs with Forbes' addition.
For now, we wait and see what Forbes does with his time in LA.