An Early NFL Draft Scouting Report: PSU CB Joey Porter Jr.

As teams are preparing for their 2023 draft, there are many players that need to be thoroughly evaluated and there are players who pop off the tape. Joey Porter Jr immediately shows up on tape regardless of the game. A 3-year starter, Joey Porter Jr. has lived up to the name and has become a top corner in this year’s draft class. My scouting analysis will detail his strengths, weaknesses, and where he may project in the draft.

Player Information:

Name: Joey Porter Jr.

School: Penn State

Position: Cornerback

Jersey #: 9

Alignment/Scheme: Outside CB

Games Watched: vs Purdue, vs Michigan, 

Major Factors: # Notes:

Grading Scale:       9 - Special  8 - All-Pro  7.5 - Pro Bowler  7 - Good Starter  6.5 - Avg. Starter  6 - Good Backup  5.5 - Role Player  5 - Developmental

Personal/Behavior: 8 His father (Joey Porter Sr) is a former NFL great and current coach for the XFL franchise San Antonio Brahmas. He played 13 seasons and won a Superbowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Athletic Ability: 7.5 Ran track in high school and ran an 11.1 100 meter. He is a fast guy, who has an exceptional change of direction. He is lengthy in stature so he works through that to run with quicker, smaller receivers. 

Strength & Explosion: 6 Not incredibly strong for his size. Needs to get stronger. At 6’2’’ he could increase his weight to fill his frame out more. 

Competes: 9 Competitive spirit is exceptional. He matches up with the team's #1 on a weekly basis. 2022, Penn St. has not asked him to play on an island as much this season due to the depth of the secondary.  His ability to play the ball in the air and his size allow him to get hands on nearly every ball thrown his way. 

Production: 6 Has started for three years and played all four. He does not have many interceptions in his career (1), but he has 19 PBU in his career, with (11) in 2022. 

Mental/Learning: 7 3-time starter, decided to come back to Penn State for another year despite being eligible in 2021. 

Injury History: 6 Missed a game against Maryland this year due to appendicitis. Do not think it is recurring or a major issue. 

Player Summary:

Report: 6’2’’ 195 lbs 

2022…According to Penn State Football Website, Porter in 2022→ 26 tackles (21 solo), 11 pass breakups and a fumble recovery...Named the coaching staff's Defensive Player of the Game following Purdue (9/1).

2021…Made 13 starts at cornerback...Finished with 51 tackles (40 solo), one forced fumble, one interception, and four pass breakups...Named the Coaching Staff's Defensive Player of the Week following the Auburn game (9/18).

2020… Appeared and started in eight games...One of 14 players to make their first career start...Made 33 tackles on the season (24 solo) to go along with two tackles for loss, one sack, and four pass breakups.

Recorded 50 Tackles in 2021. 

Man Coverage: Porter can be described as a true boundary man corner. With his length and his lateral movement, he is able to keep receivers on the line. His ability to get hands on the receiver early, substantially throws off offensive timing. Porter is fast with great recovery speed so he is rarely a step behind in coverage. Is technically sound in press coverage. 

Zone Coverage: Porter leaves much to be desired in zone coverage. Although he is solid in Zone, he occasionally will get occupied with a single receiver and is not great at midpointing two routes. 

Ball Skills: Ball skills can be improved. He gets to the ball in the air but does not have great hands. 

Pro Comparison: Martin Emerson Jr.

Round/Grade: Late 1st Round - 2nd Round

ITH Writer/COO

-By: LeMarkus Bailey