Joey Porter Jr. lands with Washington Commanders in Joel Klatt mock draft

It’s officially NFL mock draft season, and FOX analyst Joel Klatt has released his updated 2023 version. It has Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. going right in the middle of the first round.

Klatt had Porter matched with the Washington Commanders at pick No. 16 overall, though he noted he could have paired Porter with his dad’s long-time team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“The Commanders, this was, to be honest with you, a tough one because there’s already been a couple corners selected,” Klatt said of his mock draft. “I do think that the corner board is three-deep at the top and they need secondary help. But I wanted so badly, I really wanted to wait on this pick one pick, because I gave the Commanders Joey Porter Jr., the corner from Penn State. And the Steelers are picking 17th. And I’m like, ‘Ah, that would have been too perfect, I could have given the Steelers Joey Porter Jr.’

“I don’t think Joey Porter Jr. gets past the Steelers, let me just say that. I think that that’s his backstop, but right here he made a lot of sense for me with the Commanders. They need help in this area and then some.”

Porter Jr., who was tabbed an All-American by four of the major five publications in 2022, put together an impressive career with the Nittany Lions.

In four years at Penn State, Porter racked up 94 tackles, 1.0 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and 19 passes defended. Teams started avoiding him more in 2022.

Klatt broke down some of his attractive qualities as a prospect.

“This guy is long, he’s not afraid of man coverage, he’s not afraid of defending the best receiver on the field, he’s competitive, he’s got great pedigree and he is strong with his hands,” Klatt said. “Now at times he can be handsy, I understand that, but what good corner isn’t? So I like Joey Porter right there to the Commanders.”

And here is NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein‘s breakdown of Porter heading into the 2023 NFL Draft:

“Ascending cornerback combining traits and above average play strength that create a clear definition of who he is as a player. He can reroute the release and has the frame to close catch windows against big receivers in press-man or Cover 2 looks.

“Delayed transitions and sluggish change of direction put him in conflict in off coverages, so teams must pay attention to matchups and scheme in order to avoid a field full of yellow laundry. There is work to be done to improve tackle consistency in the run game, but he finishes tackles after a catch. Porter has scheme limitations, but he also has CB1 potential with more work and if utilized properly.”