Former Penn State and current Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was named one of the NFL rookies in the best position to succeed by NFL.com.
According to Marc Ross, Porter is the NFL rookie with the sixth-best chance to succeed in 2023 and beyond.
“Porter lands with the team his father played for, which is the feel-good story now, but the youngster has a chance to carve out a great career of his own in an ideal situation,” Ross wrote. “Porter brings size (6-foot-2 1/2, 193 pounds), speed and the skill set to thrive in press coverage, so learning alongside veteran Patrick Peterson, who boasts a similar skill set, should suit him well. Plus, the pressure Pittsburgh gets with its pass rush will play to Porter’s strengths.”
Carolina Panthers No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Bryce Young, was similarly ranked first in this listing, followed by Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid and then Porter. Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison, Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave and Seattle cornerback Devon Witherspoon rounded out the top 10.
Porter was the Steelers’ second pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, going to (or rather, staying in) Pittsburgh with the 32nd overall pick in the second round.
He goes to a Pittsburgh secondary that has not just Peterson, but 2022 preseason starters Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon ready to battle for playing time, so it will take a strong effort out of the gate by Porter to make an impact early.
But both of those players have just one season remaining under contract and Peterson will be turning 33 soon, so Joey Porter Jr. looks to be the future at the position, an important one in any defense, and one where the Steelers have struggled to find long-term homegrown solutions.
