Second-Year Steelers Player Receives Votes For Top-10 Cornerback In The NFL

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense is full of talent heading into training camp.

The Steelers have a bonafide star in former defensive player of the year T.J. Watt, as well as four-time All-Pro Cameron Heyward. During this offseason, Pittsburgh has only improved their defense, adding cornerback Donte Jackson and linebacker Patrick Queen. With this much talent, you almost forget that the Steelers also have a rising star in second-year cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

In his rookie season with the Steelers, Joey Porter Jr. played in 17 games, starting 11 of them. Over that time, he had ten passes defended and one interception. After his first season with Pittsburgh, Joey Porter Jr. is already being considered by some to be a top-10 cornerback in the league according to a series of surveys conducted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

“With 2024 NFL training camps on the horizon, the league’s true insiders made their voices heard,” Fowler said. “ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches, and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between.”

Although no Pittsburgh player was able to crack the top-10 at cornerback list, Joey Porter Jr. was listed in the “also receiving votes” section.

As a second-round pick last season, Porter Jr. didn’t immediately crack the starting lineup. He was inserted into the starting lineup in Week 8, and from then on, was playing almost every snap on the defensive end for the rest of the season. After exceeding expectations, Porter Jr. was given the task of shadowing opposing team’s top receivers.

If Porter Jr. is able to pick up where he left off as a rookie with a full offseason to prepare, then it wouldn’t be surprising to see him crack the top-10 in the near future.

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