As we've come to know, the Pittsburgh Steelers love to ease their rookies into things in their first season. This is mostly intentional, as the team doesn't want a guy to get thrown into the fire when he's not ready. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan was praised for the job that he did at the 2023 NFL Draft. Khan addressed the team's core roster needs, while also finding a few nice value selections.
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With Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr. out for Week 5, that means rookie first-rounder Broderick Jones will get the first start of his career.
The Steelers were touted as "winners" of the draft by several people around the league. Fast forward a month into the regular season, and we still haven't seen much of that highly touted rookie class. Things are about change in Week 5 for the AFC North squad though. After the team's blowout loss at the hands of the Houston Texans, it was clear that something had to change for the Steelers.
Injuries have forced the issue for two rookies in Week 5. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and tight end Pat Freiermuth are both set to miss the upcoming divisional matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. With the bye week coming after the game, the Steelers may be more cautious with their injured players. As a result, rookies Broderick Jones and Darnell Washington are in line for more playing time.
Now, it seems like there's another rookie that is in line to start in Week 5. That would be cornerback Joey Porter Jr., whom the team selected with the first pick in the second round in the 2023 NFL Draft. According to Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan, it appears as if Porter may start in Week 5.
Hearing that Joey Porter Jr could be elevated to first team corner this week. That’s the expectation among some in the Steelers building.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) October 4, 2023
That would be a welcome and appropriate change. It’s time.
It does typically take a few weeks for rookies in Pittsburgh to earn more playing time. In Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin's press conference on Tuesday, it appeared as if things were changing with the rookies. He even listed Keeanu Benton as a co-starter along the defensive line. All along, he's been transparent about the fact that it's a part of the maturation process to see the rookies get more snaps as the season evolves. It seems like we are now at that point in the season, just a week before the bye.
How Many Steelers Rookies Will Start In Week 5?
Thus far, Porter has done well in limited snaps, as he's seen just 58 (20%) on the season. Now there hasn't been any big injuries to the cornerback room, although the general performance may be what dictates this move. Along with Porter excelling in limited snaps, veterans Levi Wallace and Patrick Peterson have struggled in the starting lineup. Peterson was one of the big signings made this offseason, and it has come with mixed results.
Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Now in his second season with the team, Steelers veteran cornerback Levi Wallace has had another up-and-down start to the 2023 season.
Too often times, he's been burnt, particularly deep. This was an issue in Week 4, as Texans wide receiver Nico Collins beat Peterson for a deep ball. Even Texans players, including former Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson, threw shade at Peterson after the game, as the eight-time Pro Bowler is now in his 13th NFL season. Porter has a unique blend of size and speed that the Steelers coaches (and scouts obviously) love. In Week 5, it seems like the Steelers fan base may finally be able to see more of that talent on the field.
Do you think Porter has earned a shot at starting on Sunday? How would you grade the start to the season for Wallace and Peterson? Of the two, who will likely lose their job in the starting lineup if Porter does indeed take over? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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