The Cincinnati Bengals were excellent defensively in terms of points allowed in 2022, finishing tied for fifth at 20.1 on the season.
There is one area in which the Bengals did have an issue and that’s pass defense. Cincinnati’s 229.1 yards per game were 23rd according to ESPN.
After losing safeties Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell, the Bengals signed safety Nick Scott and cornerback Sidney Jones IV as counter moves.
Well, in his recent 2.0 mock draft, NFL Media Analyst, Charles Davis, has the Bengals adding one of the top cornerback prospects to assist in the improvement of the Bengals’ pass defense as well.
Cincinnati took Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes with the 28th overall pick.
Bengals are doing a ton of work on Emmanuel Forbes …. I don’t see how he isn’t a Bengal ????
Will likely need to gain 10 or so pounds but he is a DAWG‼️
#RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/ybtuI4GCof
— Just Eric (@JUSTERIC__) April 12, 2023
Yes, he weighs around 170 pounds. That is a concern. But he takes the ball away (14 interceptions at Mississippi State, including an NCAA-record six pick-sixes) and is a more-than-willing tackler. Forbes fits in well with DC Lou Anarumo’s philosophy and scheme.
Forbes played mostly on the outside in college logging 1,962 snaps. However, he did show some versatility by playing 192 snaps in the box, 22 in the slot, and three at free safety.
That’s the type of position flex that Bengals’ defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo likes and is a big reason the team brought in Scott to play with Dax Hill in the secondary.
Forbes also showed steady improvement in his coverage skills. He posted grades of 68.5, 78.4, and 89.3 per PFF.
At the NFL Combine, Forbes turned heads with a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash. He also posted a 37.5-inch vertical jump and a 10’11” in the broad jump.
DB Emmanuel Forbes from Mississippi State is the #32 overall player on my big board for the 2023 NFL Draft.#MississippiState #Bulldogs#NFLDraft
Full Video breaking down #31-#40 ????https://t.co/PtOejWMTpS pic.twitter.com/Dp8oqjij1R
— Shane Haff (@HAFFnHAFF_TPL) April 15, 2023
Forbes has excellent height at 6’1″ and length (32 1/4″ arms) which helped him record 20 pass breakups for the Bulldogs over the last three seasons.
He can be effective in multiple zone converges and press-man as well making him a high-level player and one the Bengals should certainly have in their draft plans.
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