Steelers Now
An NFL analyst believes the best is yet to come from Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has already established himself as one of the best players at his position in the league. However, NFL analyst Mina Kimes believes he could still take his game to another level, thanks to new Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
“He’s a great, young player,” Kimes said on ESPN’s NFL Live. “I think he improved a lot. Coming into the league, I was a little worried about penalties with him, but I think he’s been consistent, and I also think the scheme change coming into Pittsburgh on defense could help him. New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham … might put him in position to make some of those plays on the ball.”
Graham is bringing a much-needed new perspective to the Steelers defense after spending the last four seasons as the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive coordinator.
As a defensive coordinator, Graham has twice led top-10 defenses, with the Raiders in 2023 and the New York Giants in 2020. That is why many are so excited to see what he does for some of Pittsburgh’s star players like Porter.
The 25-year-old has already recorded 165 tackles, one sack, 31 passes defensed and three interceptions throughout his first three seasons with the Steelers. He has also allowed just one touchdown pass in his NFL career, and that was in 2023 as a rookie.
The only part of Porter’s game that doesn’t emulate some of the other top cornerbacks in the league is his takeaways.
But if Graham can help unlock that part of Porter’s game, he will be worth every penny of what payday the Steelers will likely give him later this summer.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Analyst Claims Steelers New DC Could Unlock Joey Porter Jr.’s Biggest Weakness
