The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has been one of the few bright spots through the season's first five games. Although they have given up 30 points twice in the early stages of the season, they've been able to make the splash plays necessary to get the job done and are the sole reason the Steelers find themselves with a 3-2 record.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith pushes off a tackler during his interception return against the Cleveland Browns during Week 2 of 2023.
T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith have been arguably the best defensive pass rush duo in the NFL and Watt is currently tied for first in sacks amongst others around the league (currently at 8). The relentless pass rush the Steelers have put on display has taken some of the pressure off the secondary.
When it comes to the secondary, no one gets more eyes on them than Steelers rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. who they selected with the 32nd pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. Porter Jr. was one of the most talked about draft picks in recent years due to his father, Joey Porter Sr. playing with the Steelers throughout the mid-2000s. He played a key role in the team's Super Bowl run in 2006.
Porter Jr. has lived up to his name and hype so far in the first stint of his rookie season. In his first five games, he has recorded two solo tackles, two assists, and one interception. However, the one interception came late in the fourth quarter of the Steelers' Week 5 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Porter Jr. blanketed Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and intercepted the pass from Lamar Jackson in the end zone, ultimately saving the game for the Steelers who went on to win 17-10.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. intercepts a pass from Lamar Jackson intended for Odell Beckham Jr. in the team's Week 5 victory.
Pro Football Focus has given Porter Jr. a coverage score of 82.2 and a zero pass rating allowed. He has by far been the most impactful cornerback the Steelers have put out there in the first five weeks of the season. With such a good start to the season for the rookie cornerback, it begs the question as to why he isn't seeing a higher amount of snaps at this point.
Steelers Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin was asked about Porter Jr.'s snap count and why it had been where it was over the beginning stages of the season before the team hit the practice fields Thursday.
“There’s an opportunity for him to get more work on the field. He’s been steadily progressing each week. He’s gotten a little bit more and has done a good job with it, so we’ll see how it goes this week. But probably can anticipate it because [the Los Angeles Rams] do throw the ball quite a bit.”
The Steelers have played it ultra-conservative with their rookies so far in the 2023 season. Some of that could be due to the fact that they both are part of units the Steelers have struggled to find depth at in recent years and don't want to overwhelm them with the workload from the start. They did however give Porter Jr. his new career high in snaps (28) and had him out there in crucial moments in the game against the Ravens.
Steelers Will Likely Continue To Give Porter Jr. An Increased Workload
I would expect to see that snap count continue to rise throughout the coming weeks, especially now that the team has had their bye week. The struggles of veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson in theory will continue to give Porter Jr. more time to see the field and continue his growth over the course of his rookie season.
Associated Press
Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. defends a pass against Cleveland Browns receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones during a regular season game in Pittsburgh in 2023.
Experience is the key for the young rookie cornerback and it is going to be something all Steelers fans are going to want to keep their eyes on in the coming weeks.
What do you think? Would you like to see Porter Jr.'s snap count continue to grow each week? Or are you happy with how the coaching staff has managed his workload so far in his rookie season? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!
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