As a franchise, the Pittsburgh Steelers are amazing in many ways. Whether it’s being competitive in their division, showing up in counted out games, or implementing consistency, there’s a reason the Steelers are tied for the most Super Bowl wins of any NFL franchise. However, one aspect they are struggling with is drafting cornerbacks. The Steelers have taken some of the best corners in NFL history like Mel Blount or Rod Woodson, but this has been a serious blind spot for them over the last 15 years or so. But they may have broken that curse last year when they selected Joey Porter Jr.
Porter was drafted by the Steelers with the first pick of the second round in the 2023 draft and already had a connection to the team through his father, longtime Steelers linebacker Joey Porter. Porter had some issues with his traction at Penn State and didn’t completely eliminate those concerns in his rookie year, but he still played outstandingly. Former NFL corner and current analyst Bucky Brooks highlighted Porter as a rising star in his latest episode. Podcast, Move The Sticks.
“I think he’ll be next. He’s the next guy we’ll be talking about being a premier cornerback in this league.” Brooks told his co-host Daniel Jeremiah. “At the beginning of the season, he took over the number one role and did not shirk the responsibility of being the team’s number one corner. I love his length. I like his roughness. And to me, he’s a much better player as a pro than he was as a college prospect. And that rarely happens.”
Brooks seems to believe Porter could be the next young corner to follow in the footsteps of players like Soth Gardner and Patrick Surtain Jr. and reach superstardom. Porter’s height and attitude, two of Porter’s strengths that Brooks highlighted, are two of his best strengths. He is over 6’2” and has 34 inch arms that hang like vines from trees. Looking like a video game character is great, but Porter makes himself who he really is thanks to the attitude he inherited from his father. He never backs down from a challenger and looks for the best receiver to stop them.
Brooks also had a theory as to why Porter looked so strong on the field, noting that the Steelers’ aura was probably why he was playing so well.
“Maybe it’s the uniform, but he has the toughness and tenacity to do what’s asked of him in Pittsburgh.”
Considering Porter probably envisioned himself wearing a Steelers’ uniform after his father dominated that uniform for so many years, it makes sense that he would fit it like a glove. Pittsburgh Porters tend to have a bit of an edge that makes them stand out. Porter Sr. had a fiery spirit that helped the Steelers win the Super Bowl in 2005. Perhaps Porter Jr. can do something similar in the next few years.
There are still some issues with his style of play, such as limiting penalties and making more solid tackles, but Porter has all the tools to be a top corner in the NFL. His combination of size and speed isn’t seen often and he’s proven to be reliable against the team’s best receivers in single coverage. Progress isn’t linear in the NFL, but Porter should continue to improve in his second year, and if he does, the Steelers’ defense could take another leap forward. They have franchise cornerstones at linebacker, defensive line and safety, so if Porter can be the player Brooks sees him as, the league could be primed for another all-time great Steelers defense.
