Kicking off the 2023 NFL draft prospect profiles is a big corner from the Big Ten with a familiar name for football fans.
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 194 (as listed by the school)
Turns 23 in July
Porter started for the Nittany Lions for three seasons and was typically tasked with matching up against the top target on the opposing offense. He finished his career with one INT, 20 passes defended and 86 total solo tackles while primarily aligning at outside CB. Porter did mix in some work at safety in packages.
His father is longtime NFL linebacker Joey Porter, and being the son of a linebacker definitely shows in how Porter Jr. plays CB
Pros
–Outstanding length for an outside CB. Taller than average but also blessed with long arms.
–Strong press-man skills capable of playing inside or outside technique. Great, refined hand usage at the line and has the strength to control releases.
–Has ball deflection skills and shows awareness and adaptability with the ball in the air.
–Solid open-field tackler with a willingness to attack outside runs and screens/swing passes.
–Impressive short-area burst for a longer CB.
–Outstanding body control and ability to quickly adjust speeds and foot frequency in coverage to adjust to playing shiftier receivers, a marked area where he improved in 2022.
Cons
–Porter will need to adapt to the NFL’s illegal contact rule, something he frequently violated in college (where it’s not in place). His habit of re-engaging contact after the initial jam is problematic.
–Can be grabby when a receiver tries to break inside or gets a step on him from the jump.
–Plays too upright in his stance and will rise up in transitions, causing him to lose quickness and agility.
–Good at playing the ball, not good at catching the ball.
–Showed some self-preservation skills more than all-out pursuit situations, especially working across the field and through traffic in bunch formations.
Overall
Porter is a good schematic fit for the Lions with his length, his affinity for getting hands on the receiver at the line and his situational awareness at playing outside CB. He’s likely to frustrate with illegal contact/holding penalties and dropped potential interceptions.
He should be in play for the Lions first-round pick at No. 18 overall and it would be stunning if he fell to Detroit’s pick in the second round.
