In a recent interview with Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. declared that he’s the best corner 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 was more humble when asked by Jordan Schultz to name his top 5 cornerbacks in the NFL, but he did include himself on the list.
“There’s a lot of good corners. I think [L’Jarius] Sneed. I think he’s like that,” Porter said when listing his top 5 cornerbacks in the NFL. “[Trent] McDuffie, I feel like he’s a baller. Jaylon Johnson from the Bears, I think he’s a dawg. [Patrick] Surtain’s like that. That’s already a known, Surtain. And I’ll probably throw me in there, obviously. Of course, gotta throw my name (in there).”
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.
John Kosko of Pro Football Focus recently ranked Porter as the third-most physical cornerback in the NFL in 2023. Only A.J. Terrell of the Atlanta Falcons and Michael Davis of the Washington Commanders were deemed more physical.
“Porter brings physicality to the Steelers’ secondary and has proven to be one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL. When he made contact with a receiver in 2023, he allowed just a 45.3 passer rating and a 38.2% completion percentage,” Kosko wrote.
Porter 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.”
