The Pittsburgh Steelers have a well-known reputation for having a strong defensive team. However, it's been 21 years since a first-year player from the team won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. The last time this happened was back in 2001 when linebacker Kendrell Bell took over after Levon Kirkland was cut and left for the Seattle Seahawks. That history didn't stop Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio from taking Pittsburgh's first pick of the second round Joey Porter Jr. as his outside favorite for the award.
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Steelers linebacker Kendrell Bell struggled to ever reach the heights of his rookie year again in his career.
During the segment with former NFL quarterback Chris Simms, Florio pointed out that having impressive statistics is crucial to winning the award. This observation is supported by the fact that the last five cornerbacks, dating back to Dale Carter winning the award for the Kansas City Chiefs, had an average of 5.4 interceptions, and four out of five also scored a defensive touchdown per Pro Football Reference. Although Porter only managed to intercept one pass during his four years at Penn State, neither the team nor Florio seems concerned about his lack of college production.
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Joey Porter Jr. will continue having his home games in Pennsylvania after landing with the Steelers at the top of the second round.
Simms was quick to point out that last year's winner Sauce Gardner only picked off opposing quarterbacks twice last year, which falls well below the average interceptions of the previous winners (6.25). Gardner however, registered a league-high 20 pass breakups and had the two hosts agreed he showed Darrelle Revis-like ability in year one. If he can double his college production and gain a reputation as a tough physical corner in year one, maybe he can make a Gardner-like case.
Florio's Case For The Steelers Rookie
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Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio likes Joey Porter Jr as an outside defensive rookie of the year candidate.
While sites like DraftKings have cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon, Christian Gonzalez, and Emmanuel Forbes and versatile defensive back Brian Branch with better odds, that didn't stop Florio from giving his case for why he thinks Porter Jr will have his name in the conversation because of head coach Mike Tomlin.
"Name recognition doesn't hurt," he said. "Number two, Tomlin is going to be very invested in getting the absolute most out of him. In justifying the faith that they had in a local kid. A guy who's been around the team his whole life. He's not going to want it to look like it was a charity case or we were influenced by the relationship. He's going to put it on himself to get the most out of Porter Jr."
Florio concluded that in the end, it will come down to how much playing time he has and if he can prove something in that time. Florio noted that awards typically come down to one thing, and in this case, Porter Jr. holds a significant advantage.
"You've got to get noticed and you're already noticing him because of who he is," he said. "I think he could end up being great right away. Tomlin taking him under his wing, that's going to make him better. I think the circumstances make him an intriguing pick, especially at 20-1."
Steelers' defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said in Porter's introductory press conference there will be "no redshirts" for him in 2023. Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly of The Athletic acknowledged a starting position is likely on the table, but Porter is "more likely to have some kind of role on the outside in the nickel and dime defenses." While his interception tally might keep him on the fringes for the award, if Porter Jr. can repeat not giving up a touchdown in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus, and improve on 11 pass break-ups, per College Football Reference, while playing in some big-time minutes - his star could rise.
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