Las Vegas Raiders select Darien Porter in 3rd round of 2025 NFL Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders have selected former Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. After a standout career with the Cyclones, Porter is set to realize his dream of playing in the NFL.

Porter played six seasons for the Cyclones and made a name for himself as a leader on special teams. During his final season in 2024, Porter was tied for fourth in the FBS in blocked kicks (2) while also picking up seven starts in the secondary in 12 appearances. He has four blocked kicks in his career, which could make him viewed as arguably one of the most prolific special teams playmakers in this year’s draft cycle.

All told, Porter enters the NFL with 64 games of experience under his belt. That’s an Iowa State school record and was still able to set it without playing in the school’s appearance in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Miami to end the season.

He played at least 12 games in each of the past five seasons. While most of his appearances have come on special teams plays during his career, 2024 was a key opportunity for him to prove his worth as a defensive player. As a redshirt senior, he was able to pick up 18 tackles, including two tackles for loss, three interceptions and two pass breakups.

Before college, Porter was a three-star recruit according to the On3 Industry Rankings, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He was the No. 730 overall player in his class. However, he was recruited as a wide receiver, ranking as the No. 106 wideout in the 2019 cycle.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Darien Porter

Now that Darien Porter has been drafted, fans may be wondering what to expect from their new defensive back. NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein provided his analysis of the ball-hawking, kick-blocking playmaker.

Zierlein: “Sixth-year senior with elite traits and special teams talent but only one year of starting experience at cornerback. Porter’s rep total is heavy on zone coverages but he has the athleticism, burst and speed to handle more man coverage. He has excellent zone awareness with the twitch and ball skills to expand his sphere of influence.

“He uses his length to shade downfield throws but needs to get stronger to improve his press, his contest and his tackling in run support. More schooling is needed as a pattern-matcher but his athletic profile and instant impact on special teams should create more confidence in projecting Porter’s continued ascension as a CB2/CB3.”