For Joey Porter Jr., the 2023 NFL draft was a series of highs and lows. Lows because he dropped past the first round and highs because he ultimately went to the team he was destined to play for: The Pittsburgh Steelers.
Porter felt all along that he was the top cornerback in the class and that he should’ve been selected as such. But it all worked out in the end.
“It still gets under my skin sometimes,” Porter told Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. “I felt like I was CB1 for sure, and it didn’t pan out that way. And luckily it didn’t pan out that way because I ended up here. I feel like it was worth it.”
As any NFL player would, Porter had a chip on his shoulder after being passed on by 31 teams.
“I feel like it elevated my game even more because I came into the league with a chip on my shoulder to prove myself. I feel like I’m still proving myself every day when I step on the field. I don’t feel like I am there yet. I have a lot to learn.”
Porter performed like a player scorned all season but intends to maintain that attitude until the Steelers hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
“I got to win a couple of rings for that to go away,” said Porter.
Not only will the chip not go away, but neither will his confidence.
“It just might be a Porter thing that we all have. I was like that as a kid,” said Porter. “I always wanted the biggest task. I wanted to make the play.”
Being a first-year player was never too daunting for the son of Steelers legendary linebacker Joey Porter Sr.
“I wanted to be in those positions because I know some people get scared of the bright lights and I look forward to them. I just want to be in that moment every time.”
Porter has high expectations for himself in his second season. He’ll get to put on display everything he learned from year one and continue bullying the opposition’s best pass-catchers.
