SKOL Search: Joey Porter Jr. scouting report

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This series will be your guide to the 2023 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.

The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at wide receiver, running back, cornerback and both interior and edge pass rusher.

The Vikings are slated to have four picks before compensatory selections are awarded and they need to make the most out of them.

Background

Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) is defended by Penn State Nittany Lions defensive back Joey Porter Jr. (9) as the Auburn Tigers take on the Penn State Nittany Lions at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.
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Joey Porter Jr.

• Penn State

• Height-6’2″

• Weight-195 lbs

• Fourth-year junior

• 4-Star recruit per 247 Sports

• Stats: 113 tackles, 86 solo, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, 1 interception, 20 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery

• Games watched: Purdue 2022, Michigan 2022, Minnesota 2022, Indiana 2022

Strengths

Sep 1, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) attempts to intercept the ball while Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver TJ Sheffield (8) defends in the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

First thing that jumps out about Porter Jr. is his physicality. He loves getting his hands on the receiver at both the line of scrimmage and in the route as well.

Porter Jr. understands where he is at on the field. He uses the sideline well as a 12th defender, especially in the red zone. That pairs well with his route recognition. Porter Jr. rarely gets fooled by the offense.

Man coverage is his forte. Porter Jr. stays in the hip pocket of the receiver well and it helps maximize his ball skills. In zone, Porter Jr. stays patient and is aware of his surroundings at all times.

Ball skills are excellent. Had 20 PBUs at Penn State and did a great job keeping his head on a swivel to always know where the ball is at.

Weaknesses

Michigan running back Blake Corum is forced out by Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. during the second half Oct. 15, 2022 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
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Porter Jr.’s aggressive nature and physicality can get him in trouble. A lot of what he was doing at Penn State will be a penalty in the NFL due to the illegal contact rule. He also has shown to knock himself off balance when being physical. It’s a positive trait for Porter Jr., it just needs to be harnessed.

Angles aren’t perfect for Porter Jr. His aggressiveness and route recognition get him going really quickly, but that can impact the angle he takes. One route that gives him issues is the crossing route, especially when he has outside leverage. Porter Jr. doesn’t always navigate traffic well.

I don’t have an answer for it, but Porter Jr. played almost exclusively on the Penn State sideline. Is it to communicate easier? Is it just circumstantial? I have no idea, but I thought it was worth noting.

Overview

Sep 24, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas running back Lew Nichols III (7) runs with the ball while trying to avoid a tackle from Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Porter Jr. is one of the better cornerbacks I’ve ever evaluated. He’s a physical maven that gets dirty at the catch point. With the ability to play press or drop zone, he will be on the radar of just about every team.

Porter Jr. reminds me a lit of Marcus Peters and his best fits are likely the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Giants.

Story originally appeared on Vikings Wire