Pros, cons of Pittsburgh Steelers picking Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. in 2023 NFL Draft

Penn State football's Joey Porter Jr. was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

He was the first selection Friday night and 32nd pick overall. He'll get to wear the same Steelers' jersey of his Pro Bowl, Super Bowl-winning father, Joey Porter Sr.

Porter Jr. did fall lower than expected − he just missed being the first Penn State defensive back ever chosen in the draft's opening round.

He nearly was Penn State's fifth overall first-round pick under head coach James Franklin. The others: running back Saquon Barkley (2018), linebacker Micah Parsons and defensive end Odafe Oweh (2021) and receiver Jahan Dotson (2022).

Porter's draft slide was unexpected with four cornerbacks going ahead of him Thursday night in Kansas City, including two from the Big Ten − Illinois Devon Witherspoon and Maryland's Deonte Banks.

Still, Porter is the highest-drafted Nittany Lion defensive back ever. It's been 20 years since a PSU cornerback was even close when Bryan Scott was a second-round pick (No. 55 overall) of the Atlanta Falcons. Jaquan Brisker, a safety, was a second-round pick (No. 48) of the Chicago Bears just last year.

The All-American Porter started his 2022 season with a school-record six pass breakups at Purdue, earning national player of the week honors. There was no better display of his trademark size, length and tight, press-coverage skills that make him such a valued pro commodity.

Here's what Porter brings to the NFL:

Penn State football cornerback Joey Porter Jr.: The positives

The son of the great Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker plays with the same dominating physicality and confidence. His football measurables are elite and coveted by NFL teams: impressive size (6-foot-2), arm length (34 inches) and speed (4.46-seconds, 40 yards).

He brings the tackling ability of a safety (110 stops over three Penn State seasons), especially in run support. He rarely allows receivers room to maneuver after the catch.

And if anyone will continue to improve his craft, it's Porter. He's proven to be a willing student of the game at every level, since running through Steelers' training camp drills as a teenager. He worked on his hand-aggression in coverage over the past year, cutting his pass interference penalties from six as a junior to just two last season.

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The concerns

Though he showed a penchant for tight, press coverage he wasn't productive forcing turnovers in college. He intercepted just one pass at Penn State and most of his pass breakups came only in the 2022 season. He must be able to jam and disrupt receivers early and often because he lacks quickness and explosion in short-range coverage situations.

Though he improved from his sophomore to junior seasons, he still must refine his aggressive approach and hand work. He still drew too many pass interference penalties.

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Final thoughts

Porter possesses the measurables and intangibles to be a longtime starter in the league. Even more, his demeanor and confident style could make him a leader in any secondary.

He figures to be a problem-maker for larger NFL receivers.

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at  fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on Twitter @YDRPennState.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Pittsburgh Steelers pick Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. in NFL Draft