Despite not starting the whole season, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. turned heads during his rookie campaign in 2023.
Porter allowed a completion on just 47.4% of his targets in 2023, which was the lowest among all cornerbacks with 50+ targets, according to Pro Football Focus. In addition, Porter only gave up 50+ yards in the air in 2 out of his 17 games during his rookie season.
In a recent interview with Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, Porter declared that he’s the best cornerback in the NFL. Porter told Kaboly, “I don’t care if I am mentioned in there (among the best) or not because they are going to hear my name eventually.”
Porter can add Pro Football Focus to the list of naysayers, as PFF tabbed him with a surprising 32nd ranking among cornerbacks in the NFL. Porter is probably not the best cornerback in the league, but it’s hard to imagine 31 cornerbacks being better than him.
John Kosko of Pro Football Focus noted that Porter’s coverage grades took a hit the last few weeks of the season but he was still preventing separation at a high level. He allowed just one touchdown pass and just 0.76 yards per cover snap in 2023. Travis Etienne’s 56-yard touchdown in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 8 win over the Steelers was the only touchdown that Porter allowed, and that came on a busted coverage.
Porter said at OTAs that his goal this offseason was to add more weight and get stronger. He wants to bulk up from 200 pounds to 205 pounds.
“I feel good,” Porter said. “Really, I’m feeling confident right now. It was about five pounds, maybe. I’m really trying to play at 205 last year. I fluctuate from 198 to 200. It’s kinda weird because I’m big for my position, so being 200 was not a big deal for me. But at 205 I can be physical in the run game and on the line.”
Porter hopes the added strength will help him take his game to new heights.
“Covering No. 1 wide receivers forces you to grow up fast,” Porter said. “I feel like I took on that challenge and showed I could hang with them. That’s something hopefully I can continue to do this year.”
Nick Farabaugh contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.