2023 NFL Draft props: Teams would be silly to let Joey Porter Jr. slide out of the top 20
Joey Porter Jr. is probably used to conjuring memories of his NFL father.
After all, Joey Porter Sr. was an All-Pro level pass rusher for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He even has a Super Bowl championship on his resume. Be the progeny of that kind of talent, and it’s hard to separate you from your family name.
It’s early, and it’s impossible to make projections for the next level, but I’ll safely say it for now: like father, like son when it comes to shining as a pro football player.
Except, in this case, I think Porter Jr. will make his own legacy. While he isn’t the “best” cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft, I think he’s a lock for the Top 20. Oddsmakers seem to disagree, and that would be a mistake.
Does Porter Jr. have the profile of a Devon Witherspoon or Christian Gonzalez? You know, two guys who seem destined to be lockdown corners at the next level? Probably not.
But I’ll always ride with a competitor that was a significant contributor for three seasons at Penn State — a high-level program — and who has a complete skill set for someone who has boundary responsibilities. Players with Porter Jr.’s profile usually transfer over seamlessly to the big leagues.
Plus, you can never have enough secondary help in the NFL, especially as passing games continue to evolve.
Prediction: Joey Porter Jr. Under 19.5 (+120)