Leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft starting on April 27th, we will be releasing several draft profiles of prospects who could potentially see themselves on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next up...
Joey Porter Jr. (Cornerback), Penn State, Junior
Joey Porter Jr. stands in at 6' 2" tall, weighing 195lbs, and is one of the most physical players at the cornerback position in this draft class.
Zach Bolinger | Icon Sportswire
Joey Porter Jr. jumps the passing lane and attempts to make the interception in a game against Purdue
Overview
I am not sure if there was ever as well known of a name by Steeler Nation in draft history. Obviously Porter Jr. is the son of Steelers' great Joey Porter Sr., and everyone is anticipating seeing him in the Black and Gold to follow in his father's footsteps.
In three years with heavy playing time, Porter Jr. has continued to improve each season, reducing his percent completion against and touchdowns allowed each season, ending this past season allowing 50% completion and 0 touchdowns. He has tremendous length that allows him to get his hands into passing lanes and really cause a lot of disruption. He uses his length well, but too often grabs the receiver and gets flagged on the play.
Pros:
- Exceptional length
- Plus athlete all around
- Good jam at line of scrimmage
- Physical tackler
- Has ability to matchup with tight ends
- High football/IQ with good understanding of route combinations
- Son of Joey Porter Sr.
Cons:
- Change of direction is subpar
- Very grabby, 10 penalties in 2021
- Misses more tackles than you'd like
- Not a playmaker on the ball, only 1 interception last three seasons
The Steelers definitely have a stigma around them that they struggle to draft cornerbacks, especially ones early in the draft. One of the few successes, Cam Sutton, just left via free agency. However, someone with Porter Jr.'s family lineage and skill set is someone that will definitely get the attention of Steeler Nation, Mike Tomlin and company.
Erin Sullivan | Onward State
Joey Porter Jr. jams Rutgers wide receiver at the line of scrimmage
Coverage
If a team selects Porter Jr. and doesn't put him up at the line of scrimmage to jam opposing wide receivers consistently, then they are wasting what is likely his biggest asset. With his length, Porter Jr. has been able to disrupt wide receivers so early in the play that they become irrelevant to the QB. He does a good job of staying the receivers hip pocket when starting in press, and matching them out of their breaks. In off coverage however, Porter Jr. is not as successful sticking with receivers, as it takes him a couple gather steps before breaking on the receiver and the ball.
Ball Skills and Instincts
Being a high IQ player, Porter Jr. has good instincts when it comes to knowing when to attack the ball and try to disrupt the receiver at the catch point. However, even with his solid instincts and excellent length, Porter Jr. has little ball production to show for it with only one interception over his past three seasons. He does have his fair share of pass breakups this past season, but over half came in one game. Heavy man based systems that allow him to get his hands on wide receivers early will do him best.
Joe Hermitt | Penn Live
Joey Porter Jr. high points the football to record a pass deflection in a game against Purdue
Run Support and Tackling
Since he does his best work around the line of scrimmage pressing opposing wide receivers, Porter Jr. often is involved in the perimeter run game, and he does well to ensure he forced the ball carrier back inside and getting him to the ground. His physicality is not something anyone can knock him for, as he never shies away from taking on opposing running backs. Over his career Porter Jr. has missed more tackles than most coaches would like, but that has a tendency to be against more shifty and elusive players who don't let him get his hands on them, more-so than them escaping his grasp.
NFL Comparison - Jimmy Smith
There aren't many cornerbacks in the NFL with Porter Jr.'s unique blend of size and skill set, but Jimmy Smith is actually a very good comparison. Coming out of college both players had room for improvement, but both made a living giving opposing wide receivers hell at the line of scrimmage. Neither showed great ball skills as neither player has elite reaction quickness, but had an ample amount of forced incompletions by still being able to effect the receiver in the process of the catch.
Draft Projection - 1st Round
It is hard to gauge where people really believe Porter Jr. will fall. On one hand his is tall, long, with decent long speed that makes him an appealing prospect. On the other hand, he has subpar ball production and is somewhat scheme limited to maximize his talents, and that could push him down the draft board slightly. However, he is will still be a first round pick regardless of his short comings, and has potential to develop into a true number one.
Let us know below what you think about Porter Jr. as a prospect and the potential of seeing him in the black and gold! What other prospects would you be interested in seeing a profile on? Click to comment below!
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