Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft: Steelers Continue the Run at Cornerback

The Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft will be a running mock draft that spans between now and round one of the NFL Draft. Each of the 31 picks (Miami forfeited their first-round pick due to tampering) will get a dedicated post. Here’s how it’ll work:

The Steelers are on the clock in the Bleacher Nation NFL Mock Draft …

The Pick Is In

CB Joey Porter Jr. — Penn State

The Fit

The Steelers could use another cornerback, and Mike Tomlin can take one with a name that Steelers fans will be familiar with. Joey Porter Jr. is the son of former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter (1999-2006) and a local product. Porter Jr. played at North Catholic High School (north of Pittsburgh) and North Allegheny High in Pittsburgh before playing for Penn State.

Scouting Report

Porter was a four-star recruit heading to Penn State and the fourth-ranked cornerback in Pennsylvania. He was first-team All-Big Ten and second-team All-American in 2022, logging 114 tackles, 21 passes defended, and an interception for the Nittany Lions.

Porter is tall, lanky, and oversized for a traditional cornerback with long arms and wingspan. His size makes him an excellent press coverage defender. Porter uses his “go-go-gadget” arms to reroute receivers off of the line of scrimmage and take them toward the sideline. His jams at the line disrupt routes and frustrates receivers.

Where he lacks in the acceleration department downfield, he makes up for it with great building speed. The Atheltic’s Dane Brugler says that: “Porter has clear bust potential with his undisciplined play style and unbalanced change of direction, but he has intriguing matchup potential in the NFL because of his aggressive length and body quickness.”

Final Thoughts: Porter is a long, physical corner with rare length; he’s stingy in coverage and makes plays on the ball. Porter would be a solid fit for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers at No. 17 and becomes the third corner in the last four picks and the fifth in the first round.

Bleacher Nation’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft

1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI) — QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
2. Houston Texans — QB Bryce Young, Alabama
3. Arizona Cardinals — EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
4. Indianapolis Colts — QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) — DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
6. Detroit Lions (via LAR) — EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
7. Las Vegas Raiders — QB Will Levis, Kentucky
8. Atlanta Falcons — EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
9. Chicago Bears (via CAR) — CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) — DT Calijah Kancey, Pitt
11. Tennessee Titans — T Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
12. Houston Texans (via CLE) — WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
13. New York Jets — T Broderick Jones, Georgia
14. New England Patriots — CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
15. Green Bay Packers — TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
16. Washington Commanders — CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
17. Pittsburgh Steelers — CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
18. Detroit Lions
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Seattle Seahawks
21. Los Angeles Chargers
22. Baltimore Ravens
23. Minnesota Vikings
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
25. New York Giants
26. Dallas Cowboys
27. Buffalo Bills
28. Cincinnati Bengals
29. New Orleans Saints (via SF)
30. Philadelphia Eagles
31. Kansas City Chiefs