Like Kenny Pickett last year, the Steelers are plenty familiar with Joey Porter Jr. The son of the longtime Pittsburgh linebacker nevertheless went through the official process of a pre-draft visit with the team, Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review notes.
The younger Porter is one of the top cornerbacks available in this year’s class, but because of the Penn State product’s local ties, the 6-foot-2 defender does not count against the Steelers’ 30 allotted pre-draft visits. Porter has been training at the team facility at points during the pre-draft run-up, per Rutter, working with his father in advance of a near-certain first-round selection. The Steelers had a chance to study Pickett up close, with the quarterback having played at Pitt; Porter attended high school in the Pittsburgh area before his Nittany Lions run.
Porter Sr. — a 1999 third-round Steelers pick — spent eight seasons with the franchise, collecting a Super Bowl ring as a starting linebacker for the 2005 team. The brash defender later served on Mike Tomlin‘s staff from 2014-18. His son joins Christian Gonzalez (Oregon), Devon Witherspoon (Illinois), Emmanuel Forbes (Mississippi State) and Deonte Banks (Maryland) as those expected to be first-round picks at the position this year.
Porter declared for the draft after his redshirt-junior season, and although he did not intercept a pass last season, Pro Football Focus charged him with just one 15-plus-yard completion allowed. The second-team All-American deflected a career-high 11 passes last year. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. grades Porter as this year’s No. 19 overall prospect; NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah slots him 15th. Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock sends Porter to the Patriots at No. 14 overall and Banks to the Steelers at 17.
The Steelers will be one of the teams connected to corners in Round 1. They let Cameron Sutton walk, not offering him a deal on par with what the Lions proposed, and added Patrick Peterson. But Tomlin is preparing to use Peterson at both corner and safety in his age-33 season. Pittsburgh has Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon each tied to $4MM-per-year contracts; both pacts expire after the 2023 season.
couple of better CBs in this draft could make things awkward.
imagine if they trade up to take Gonzalez or Witherspoon lol
papa bear ain’t gonna be happy
Yeah, I like Gonzalez because he’s a bigger, physical guy. I was going to say the Steelers haven’t had a lot of success with the smaller types, then I remembered Troy back there
Ah, but not too many of those types around
Given their signings—and I’m still thinking Dupree is going to be here—this draft is going to be interesting. Some columnist wrote that Khan addressed needs so they truly can go for best available player
Could be JPJ. Could be Addison. Could be a lineman
Loved the Steelers April Fool’s tweet today, saying they signed wide receiver Calvin Broadus Jr. Amazed so many did not know that is Steeler Super-fan Snoop Dog’s real name as they asked for more info
if Gonzalez is there at 9 or 10 they should trade up and get him. kid is unique.
if not, and it may be close, but one of JPJ or Witherspoon could be there at 17
whether it’s trading up from 17 or 32, I don’t see the steelers staying put. they have plenty of depth and need a couple real difference makers
What do you think of the Steelers taking Bresee the Clemson DL? Kid could be a monster.
I think because of supply and demand as well as the gap in talent from the top handful of corners to the next tier dropping off steeper than that of D-line prospects that Bresee isn’t going in the first round. He could become a great player but there’s enough cause for concern to pass on him in the first round.
A couple local reporters very high on him but point out history of injury. Funny you mention him as I think he’s the one most mentioned as falling into their hands
I doubt they trade up from 17, but I could see them using 32 as part of a package to trade up back into the first round to get a guy they like. At 17 they can sit back and take the best corner or lineman on either side of the ball still available then move up from 32 to address the other need and get that fifth year option on a player from being a first round pick.
Depends on how much they value a guy. Have to wonder if Porter or Gonzalez will be around at 17 and if they believe there is a clear drop off after them
Guess the same could be said for any position although they are saying draft is deep in D-linemen this year
He’s one of several guys I’d be happy to see as a Steeler.
Usually there’s a run on a position group in the first round. Could easily be OT this year, leaving a stud CB on the board at 17. Could also be the other way around.
I’d love to see the Lions grab him at 18 if he’s still available. That wingspan alone makes him a very intriguing prospect.