First Round (Pick No. 24)
Emmanuel Forbes – CB (Mississippi State)
Another first-round pick on a cornerback? One can almost hear the sighs from across the fanbase even now.
The Vikings just cannot seem to find the right formula within the secondary. Plenty of high-end picks have come and gone in recent years, with Andrew Booth Jr.’s rookie campaign significantly hindered by injury after so much expectation before competitive action began.
Patrick Peterson is out of contract and may not return. Cameron Dantzler remains an asset, but the Vikings need a complete makeover in this area of the field to avoid similar complications in 2023.
If Emmanuel Forbes is still around at No. 24 overall, this might be the guy. The former Mississippi State standout has everything one looks for in the modern-day shutdown cornerback and could be the answer to Minnesota’s prayers with a smooth transition.
Forbes has the size, length, and athleticism to make an immediate impact. His physique is similar to the likes of Jaycee Horn and Sauce Gardner – two outstanding cover corners that wasted no time in making their presence felt at the next level.
Another area of Forbes’ game that stands out is in-game anticipation. He reacts extremely well and boasts enough explosiveness to create turnovers at will, so the upside is there for all to see if he can improve against the run.