Summary

Joey Porter Jr. was selected in the 2nd Round (#32 Overall) of the 2023 Draft out of Penn State University. Son of legendary Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, he brings to the table an elite combination of size, length, athleticism and competitive toughness—traits rare at the cornerback position. His biggest strengths lie in his press-man capability, catch-point dominance, and run-support willingness. His biggest developmental tasks are honing his technique (especially pad level and transition movements), minimizing penalties/hand usage, and finishing more plays with turnovers. In the right scheme and with proper coaching, he has the potential to become a standout cornerback for years to come.

Strengths

• Length, athleticism & physical traits: Porter possesses excellent length for a corner with approximately 34″ arms. He demonstrates fluid hips, good recovery speed, and the ability to mirror receivers in man coverage. His long-stride movement allows him to close from behind and compete vertically. Bleacher Report

• Press-man coverage ability / catch-point strength: He plays with physicality, uses his hands well at the line, and is comfortable in press alignment. His length and ball-tracking enable him to high-point passes and make plays on the ball in the air. NFL Draft Buzz

• Tackling and run-support willingness: Unlike some pure cornerbacks, Porter shows willingness to come up and defend the run, wrap up in space, and engage bigger players. His build and demeanor suggest he can handle traffic and be more than just a “speed guy.” NFL Draft Buzz

• Competitive mindset and developmental trajectory: His college tape shows consistent improvement and the type of mental approach teams like. He’s already earning starting-type reps early in his professional career, which speaks to his readiness and potential. Bleacher Report

Weaknesses

• Technique—pad level, footwork & transitions: At times, Porter plays too upright, which can hamper his ability to break smoothly or redirect in coverage. His transitions out of his backpedal, especially in off-man or zone schemes, show room for refinement. Athlon Sports

• Over-aggressiveness / hand usage leading to penalties: His physical style sometimes leads to him being overly handsy or grabbing, particularly downfield. Early in his NFL career, penalty issues have been noted (though that's common for young DBs). Bleacher Report

• Deep coverage and pure top-end speed matchups: While he has good recovery speed and athleticism, some evaluators felt he may be marginal against the very fastest wide receivers in deep one-on-one situations. His coverage instincts in more complex zone schemes and mixed coverages are still a work in progress. Athlon Sports

• Production and turnover numbers: Although he has strong physical traits, his interception total in college was low, which can suggest fewer finished plays even if his coverage was tight. The ability to turn tight coverage into turnovers is still developing. CBS Sports

Fit & Outlook

Porter projects as a boundary cornerback and potential full-time starter with premium upside. He operates best in press-man and can capitalize on his physical traits and catch-point ability. Over time, as his technique refines and experience grows, he could become one of the more consistent top outside corners in the league. Short-term he may still have “rookie moments,” such as penalty issues or technique lapses, but his floor is high thanks to his physical tools and aggressive mindset. Long term, if he refines his weaknesses, his ceiling is a very high-end starting corner.