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AIPROPX ReportYahoo Sports · 1d ago
Steelers’ Joey Porter ranked outside top 25 NFL cornerbacks
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 02: Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) looks on during the NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers on November 02, 2025 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to view Joey Porter Jr. as a potential cornerstone of their defense, but a new set of rankings suggests not everyone is as high on the former second-round pick.
Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department ranked Porter as the 27th-best cornerback in the NFL entering the 2026 season, placing him between Minnesota Vikings corner Byron Murphy Jr. at No. 26 and Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Riq Woolen at No. 28. The list is topped by Denver Broncos star Patrick Surtain II, widely regarded as one of the league’s premier shutdown corners.
The ranking is likely to spark debate among Steelers fans, many of whom believe Porter has already established himself as one of the AFC’s better young cover corners. Since entering the league in 2023, Porter has consistently drawn difficult assignments against opposing No. 1 receivers while developing into a physical press-man defender capable of limiting explosive plays.
While Porter has not always produced eye-catching interception totals, his ability to stay attached in coverage and challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage has made him one of Pittsburgh’s most trusted defensive backs. Given that reputation, a ranking outside the league’s top 25 cornerbacks may come as a surprise.
The timing is also noteworthy as Porter continues to await a long-term contract extension from the Steelers. With several young cornerbacks around the league signing lucrative new deals, Pittsburgh faces increasing pressure to secure one of its defensive building blocks before his price climbs even higher. Every evaluation — whether favorable or critical — adds another layer to the discussion surrounding what Porter could ultimately command on his next contract.
Whether Bleacher Report’s evaluation proves accurate or serves as added motivation, Porter will have an opportunity to change the narrative this season. A standout 2026 campaign against the NFL’s top receivers could quickly move him up future rankings while strengthening his case for one of the league’s richest contracts at the position.
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