Three Possible Landing Spots for Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes

Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes enters the 2023 NFL Draft as perhaps the most underrated defensive back in the class after being snubbed for multiple awards despite a standout career with the Bulldogs.

After finishing out the 2022 season with 46 combined tackles (26 solo), 11 passes defended and six interceptions, Forbes has begun to garner a bit more attention despite not getting the full recognition he deserves. With this and the opportunity to continue showcasing his ballhawking abilities at the 2023 NFL Combine, he should be considered a player to watch to steadily climb up the draft boards as he's done some as of late with April on the horizon.

The biggest knock on Forbes has been his frame, listed at 180 pounds, though that didn't stop him from snagging 14 interceptions over the past three seasons and holding both the SEC and FBS records for most-ever pick-sixes.

Here's a look into three possible landing spots of many for Forbes with April on the horizon:

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings head into the draft with an early need at defensive back, currently lacking depth at the cornerback position with just three players at the position under contract for the upcoming season. Outside of just that, it's clear the team needs to make some adjustments and add high level of talent in the secondary after having one of the NFL's worst passing defenses in 2022 rankings second to dead-last at No. 31 in the league with some average of 265.5 yards per game.

Due to the struggles in this area, it's no surprise that Forbes has been mocked to the Vikings in several mock drafts released this offseason and Forbes could be the perfect remedy for Minnesota to move on early.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Some of the positions of need to look into for the Bucs in the early rounds of the upcoming draft are quarterback, running back and defensive back. Should they make the top priority the latter, it seems likely that Tampa could take Forbes off the board at No. 19 overall.

One of the key things to watch here will be whether or not Tampa Bay cornerback Jamel Dean departs in free agency, something that's going to play a large role into just how much of a hole the Bucs will have this year.

There's work to be done on both sides of the ball after Tampa Bay finished out the 2022 season with an 8-9 overall record, but depending upon how things shake out with Dean, drafting Forbes could be in their best interest.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys already have a former MSU legend on the roster with quarterback Dak Prescott holding the reins on offense, but they can bring another Bulldog into the fold on the defensive side of the ball by bringing Forbes aboard.

Cornerback is one of the biggest priorities -- if not the single highest area of need -- for Dallas in the draft, and if Forbes is taken by the time it addresses it or the Cowboys choose to go in another direction, there's no question they'll be taking a player at the position early.

Fortunately for the team, this is a deep cornerback class to take advantage of as Anthony Brown becomes a free agent and with Trevon Diggs the only real cornerback to bet on still on the roster.