Will the Steelers go with Joey Porter Jr. with the 17th pick in the NFL Draft this April?
That’s what ESPN’s draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. thinks.
Kiper says the son of former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter could be the next Porter in Pittsburgh.
The cornerback was a three-year starter at Penn State.
“He picked off just one pass in his career, but he had 11 pass breakups in 2022, so he gets his hands on the football when it's headed in his direction,” said Kiper.
“Like father, like son in Pittsburgh,” added Kiper.
The Steelers are known for their attraction to family ties within the organization.
The Watt brothers, the Edmunds brother, the Heyward brothers, just to name a few.
Porter was also an assistant coach under Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
PM Team’s Chris Mueller says he’s told that Porter isn’t the best corner in draft, let alone on Penn State.
“Did they take the guy because Mike Tomlin feels more familiar with him,” Mueller said that is what people will ask if Porter is taken in the first-round.
Mueller says he would be okay with the Steelers taking Porter, but only if he falls to the second-round.
Kiper adds that the Steelers are hoping they can have a top offensive tackle fall to them at #17 but that might not happen.
He adds “they could also target a defensive tackle.”
If Porter ends up a Steeler, some will be asking if Tomlin is just settling for what he’s familiar and comfortable with. A question that’s been asked about why he’s keeping offensive coordinator Matt Canada around.
Another warning sign for some is the Steelers have a bad history of drafting cornerbacks...Artie Burns.