Could The Steelers Land The Best Ball Hawk In The 2023 NFL Draft?

With the 2023 NFL Draft starting on April 27, here is a detailed look at a potential pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The cornerback need for Pittsburgh is no secret, and it looks like they have their eye on many of them in the draft. With two top 32 picks, the Steelers could use one of them to select a lengthy cornerback from Mississippi State.  

Emmanuel Forbes 

Forbes had a formal meeting with the Steelers on Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. The six-foot athlete played both cornerback and wide receiver at Grenada High School. He finished his senior year with eight interceptions, propelling him into becoming a full-time cornerback in college. He joined Mississippi State in 2020, where he racked up five picks, with three going for touchdowns. The interceptions didn’t stop, as he picked off nine more passes in his last two years, three more also getting taken back for six.  

Not only is Forbes a threat to intercept any ball coming his way, but he's also great at breaking up passes, as shown vs LSU's WR Kayshon Boutte. He finished each year of college with at least five passes defended, reaching 11 PD's in his final year. It would be hard not to think that Forbes’ wide receiver experience played a big part in becoming one of the best ball hawks in the draft. Forbes finished with six pick-6's, the most in college football history. The main reason for the change of position? Forbes gave this quote to the media on Thursday: 

“I got the hands, I just didn’t like to be tackled. I like delivering hits not taking ‘em.”   

Strengths

His strengths start with his ball skills and hands. Forbes is a pick machine and has great instincts while covering. Being a wideout helped him to recognize routes and beat receivers to spots. Forbes has great length and leaping ability, making him hard to catch jump balls on. He’s also great at defending the run and does a great job tracking running backs out of the backfield. Even being on the small side at 180 lbs, Forbes plays physically and is a great tackler.  

Weaknesses 

Forbes doesn't have the elite speed that you look for in cornerbacks. That said, he rarely got beat even when manned up on some of the top SEC wide receivers. His pursuit angles also weren't the best in college. Forbes' main cause for concern for many GM's is his size. While he didn't run into issues in college, playing at 180 lbs in the NFL could be a challenge. Forbes acknowledged his weight to the media on Thursday: 

"I played in the SEC for three years and missed one game - and it wasn't due to a football injury. I just feel like I'm durable. A lot of people like to go at me for my size, and I've showed that my size doesn't matter and I go out there with an edge and a chip on my shoulder."

Good Fit for the Steelers? 

Many people would like the Steelers to draft Joey Porter Jr. given his connection. The Penn State CB also shared his thoughts with the media on Thursday. While JPJ would be a great selection for the Steelers, Forbes might be the better fit. Forbes would slide right into the starting defense for Pittsburgh and his ball-hawk skills embody the Steelers' identity. Given his coverage skills and sneaky physicality, he would be a seamless scheme fit. He projects as a lengthy boundary corner with good versatility. Forbes is going to be fun to watch at the NFL Combine. Forbes could fly up draft boards if he runs well when the DB's take the field on Friday. 

Would you like the Steelers to draft Emmanuel Forbes? Let us know what cornerback prospect(s) you like in the comments below. 

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