When the Los Angeles Rams claimed Emmanuel Forbes off waivers late last season, it was a low-risk, high-upside move. The former first-round pick had endured a rocky start to his NFL career, but now, heading into 2025, he’s turning heads and positioning himself as a key piece in a Rams secondary that quietly became one of the league’s most efficient down the stretch last season.
Forbes, the 16th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, showed elite playmaking instincts in college, including a knack for turning interceptions into points. But his rookie year in Washington fell short of expectations, leading to his release. The Rams scooped him up and gave him a fresh start. While his debut came in a meaningless Week 18 matchup against the Seahawks, coaches were encouraged by his performance and demeanor.
Los Angeles Rams Optimistic About Emmanuel Forbes’ Development
“He’s been bulking up and looking really good,” head coach Sean McVay said during OTAs. “What’s been awesome is his understanding of what we’re trying to get done. I thought he did a nice job in the Seattle game.”
Adding weight is a point to put a pin in for the Rams, who entered the league in the sub-one percentile at just 166 pounds.
Now, with a full offseason to learn defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s system, Forbes is standing out.
“It’s nice to see how smart he is,” Shula said. “He communicates really well and has done a great job. We were really excited about him midseason, but now you can see it clicking.”
The Rams’ secondary endured growing pains in 2024. Early in the season, injuries piled up: Derion Kendrick was lost for the year, Darious Williams dealt with a hamstring injury, and veteran Tre’Davious White struggled coming off back-to-back season-ending injuries. Free safety John Johnson III was injured in Week 1. The Rams added Ahkello Witherspoon after Week 4, and he quickly became a stabilizing force.
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Following a Week 6 bye, the Rams went on a tear, losing just three games the rest of the way (one in Week 18 with starters resting). In the final three regular-season games, the defense allowed just 24 total points. In the playoffs, the pass rush notched 16 sacks, while the secondary allowed only 228 net passing yards across two games—an average of 114 per contest.
That resurgence came without Forbes playing a meaningful role. Now, he has a real shot to earn a starting job and elevate the group even further.
Forbes Must Still Prove He Can Handle Full-Force NFL Football
“He moves really well and has a great feel for concepts,” McVay said. “You can see the ball production—he was doing things in college that hadn’t been done before in terms of getting his hands on the ball and turning it into points.”
Forbes has historically shined in OTAs, when there’s no contact and instincts and agility stand out. The true test will come when the pads go on. Can he hold up against physical receivers like Puka Nacua, Tyler Higbee, and Jordan Whittington? If he can, the Rams may have found a long-term solution at cornerback—one who can play man or zone, track the ball, and make game-changing plays.
McVay added a big, dreaded caveat: “I’m looking forward to seeing how it all translates once we put the pads on and get into preseason games.” The Rams don’t play their starters in preseason. Period. This statement shows how far Forbes has to go to prove he can become a starter.
Whether or not L.A. adds another veteran corner, the secondary is already deeper, healthier, and more versatile than it was a year ago. And if Forbes’ offseason progress carries over to preseason and beyond, the Rams could quietly field one of the more complete defensive backfields in the NFC.
For a franchise that’s built its reputation on developing overlooked talent, Emmanuel Forbes might be their next breakout star, or he could be cut before the season.
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