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As mentioned in a previous article, Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports has the Steelers selecting Pitt wide receiver Jordan Addison at 11th overall in his way-too-early 2023 mock draft. Another prospect, who has connections with the Steelers, was projected as a first-round pick in 2023. None other than Joey Porter Jr., who of course is former Steelers outside linebacker Joey Porter's son.
Porter is a tall rangy cornerback out of Penn State. Wilson has Porter landing with the Seahawks at No. 26 overall.
"Yep, that's Joey Porter's son but unlike the former Steelers pass rusher, junior is a long, lanky cornerback with ball skills," Wilson said.
Porter, who stands at 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, was eligible to enter the draft this year but decided to return to Penn State for another year to improve his draft stock. Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report and Dane Brugler of The Athletic also both have Porter projected as a first-round pick in 2023.
“Joey Porter Jr., meanwhile, brings a certain level of toughness and skill worthy of his name, Sobleski wrote. “Porter is a 6’2″, 196-pounder defensive back who has been taught the right way to play football by his All-Pro father. The younger Porter will stick his nose into the action and won’t concede a single inch.”
“Joey Porter isn’t the most consistent cover man and has his share of missteps on tape, but he is a long, fluid athlete with the potential to be a future first-round pick with continued development," Brugler said.
Joey Porter was a third-round pick by the Steelers in 1999 and played eight seasons in Pittsburgh. Porter ranks seventh on the Steelers' all-time sack list with 60. Overall, Porter recorded 98 sacks in his 13-year NFL career.