Joey Porter Jr. – Cornerback – 22 – (RS) Junior – Penn State
Height: 1m88
Weight: 88kg
Estimated Draft Position: Top 20
2022 stats: 10 matches, 27 tackles, 8 passes defended
NFL Comparison: Marlon Humphrey (Ravens)
Joey Porter Jr., son of the Steelers’ former pass rusher and linebacker coach, was one of the big expectations for the 2022 season at cornerback. And finally, he did not have “much to do”, since the opposing quarterbacks quickly understood that it was not necessary to launch in his direction. It happens to the best cornerbacks in the NFL and it’s evident that it happens to the best at the college level. We can conclude that he did not leave much space to his counterparts in 2022.
Strong points
– Template
– Soccer IQ
– Very physical
It is important to start with the obvious. Joey Porter Jr. is cut out to be a physical cornerback in press on the line of scrimmage. He is strong and has very long arms, which is perfect for hindering his opponents at the start of actions and preventing them from developing their lines. He reads the attacks very well and manages to predict the movements of the opposing receivers while being very fluid in his movements on the short and medium distance zones. His aggressiveness doesn’t stop at bothering the receivers, he provides very good support on the run with his ability to pass the blocks. Porter comes to the NFL with full baggage and will start the 2023 season as a starter.
Weak points
– Hands
– Penalties
If there are a good number of passes defended and a single interception during his university course, it is because the former does not have the safest hands of this vintage of cornerbacks. He’s very nimble at positioning himself in the right spot relative to the receiver and locating the ball, but when it comes to catching it, the former Nittany Lion falters a bit. He will also have to discipline his game a bit. Although he has already taken a big step forward in 2022, the majority of penalties Porter has caused were as a result of off-man coverage, i.e. away of the receiver at the start of the action, on long routes. The coaching staff of his future franchise would be well advised to have him play mainly in the press because that’s where he excels, while he still refines the weakest areas of his game.
Possible destinations
Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles
In Arizona, there is clearly a lack of talent in defense and a cornerback capable of hindering DK Metcalf and Brandon Aiyuk would be welcome. For the Bengals, the secondary has been one of the few weaknesses in the franchise for the past two years and a player who can improve the squad in the first week of the 2023 season would be good. In Las Vegas, almost all positions are defensive positions, but Joey Porter Jr. brings that extra edge in terms of aggression. At the Eagles, Porter could take over from James Bradberry.
