When the Pittsburgh Steelers were on the clock at the start of day two of this year's NFL Draft, all signs pointed to one guy on the draft board. Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. had magically fallen to pick 32 and the decision was obvious. Whether it was the fact that his father Joey Porter Sr. used to be a monster linebacker for the Steelers, or the fact that Porter Jr. plays like a monster himself, whatever it was, I have a good feeling that the Steelers made the right decision at pick 32.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) participates in Steelers rookie minicamp at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Friday, May 12, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers Fans Aren't The Only Ones Excited
Many people thought that Porter Jr. would have been selected in the first round of this year's draft. So, when the Steelers were able to get him at the start of the second round, everyone became extremely excited. Although, Steelers fans aren't the only ones excited about how Porter Jr.'s career will play out. During an interview on Heavy Sports', The Matt Lombardo Show with Porter Jr.'s former college teammate and Chicago Bears safety, Jaquan Brisker gave him high praise.
"I feel like he can be great. He’s 6-foot-3, and he can run. He’s going to be physical at the line of scrimmage. But he can also get off and play zone, you know, toggle if he wants. That makes him very different and unique."
AP Photo/Barry Reeger
Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker (1) leaves the field following the team’s NCAA college football game against Rutgers in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. Penn State won 28-0.
Brisker was able to play well in his first season with the Bears in 2022. He recorded a little over 100 tackles, four sacks, an interception, and forced a fumble. I find him somewhat comparable to Porter Jr., both were second-round picks out of Penn State, both are about the same size, and both play physical football. Despite Brisker playing safety and Porter Jr. being a cornerback, I find that Porter Jr. could jump into the Steelers' lineup and be a dangerous player, just like Brisker was for the Bears. Before Porter Jr. was taken by the Steelers, Brisker made comments about how dangerous he could be if taken to the right team.
"Once an NFL coach gets a hold of him, and a defense figures out what they want to do with him, I feel like he could be very dangerous."
NFL.com
Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. will be expected to play a huge role in the team's secondary in 2023.
In an elite defensive back group at Penn State, Porter Jr. was for sure the leader of the group. He was known to be one of the hardest workers for the Nittany Lions. The main reason why I am so excited about him was that during the 2022 season, he played 275 coverage snaps and would not allow a single touchdown. That was against some of the best receivers in all of college football, from the talent at Ohio State, to the elite squad that Michigan had. If Porter Jr. can play the way he did in college, I believe that all the worries that were once there for the Steelers' defensive backs will finally go away.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. (#24) takes part in the team's rookie minicamp in Pittsburgh, PA.
Although the Steelers were able to have one of their best drafts in recent memory, I think that getting Porter Jr. with the 32nd overall pick will be the steal of the draft. He could arguably be the best corner in the 2023 draft class.
So, what do you think, Steeler Nation? Will Porter Jr. become a stud cornerback for the Steelers? Let me know in the comments below!
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