It most likely did not come as a surprise for the majority of Pittsburgh Steelers fans when the organization traded up in the first-round of the 2023 NFL Draft to select an offensive lineman. Broderick Jones is already expected to be the starting left tackle once the 2023 season kicks off. While night one was exciting and the black and gold faithful can breathe a sigh of relief, the second and third rounds are quickly approaching and there are many more needs that General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin need to address.
Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin roams the field at then-Heinz Field prior to a 2021 regular season game in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
With the first pick in the second round, thanks to a trade with the Chicago Bears involving wide receiver Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh will have almost a full 24 hours dating back to the end of Thursday's festivities to develop a plan regarding the selection. The team currently has no picks in the fourth, fifth or sixth rounds. It is very possible that they shop the pick in order to gain some extra draft capital.
It's hard to ignore, however, the organization's glaring need for a cornerback. There happens to be one still on the draft board who many thought would be in play for the Steelers in the first round. The prospect is none other than Joey Porter Jr whose dad is somewhat of a legend in the Steel City.
Porter Jr's mom, Christy, and his father Joey Porter Sr, joined him in the Greenroom on Thursday evening expecting to celebrate together. Unfortunately, his name was never called and he fell out of the exclusive club that is the first round. He is now back in play for Pittsburgh if the franchise chooses to sit tight with the 32nd overall pick.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (#9) lines up on defense during an NCAA football game against the Purdue Boilermakers on September 1, 2022, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. | Photo Credit: Joe Robbins / Icon Sportswire / Getty Images
This is one of the deepest cornerback classes of the 21st century so the argument can be made that Pittsburgh should either trade back or draft an inside linebacker like Trent Simpson early in the second-round, but no one can deny that Tomlin and the organization love connections.
This is one of the strongest in a long time as Porter Sr was drafted by the Steelers and spent the first eight seasons of his career in the black and gold. He won a Super Bowl during the 2005-06 season. He went on to later be on the defensive staff for five seasons from 2014-2018. Overall, Porter Sr has spent 13 years of his life around the organization. He probably wouldn't mind it if more was added to that.
Porter Jr isn't necessarily known for causing turnovers, but he is tough and can be extremely physical on the field just like his father. There is no doubt that it would be an extremely emotional moment for him and his family if everything comes back full circle and he ends up in a Steelers uniform.
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Steelers Could Make A Special Moment Even Better By Selecting Porter Jr.
It is anyone's guess at this point as to what the Steelers are planning on doing with #32. One thing is for sure, there will be an extremely strong embrace from Porter Jr and his parents if he ends up where it all began for his dad. He will be determined to create his own legacy but will have the entire city of Pittsburgh welcoming him with open arms.
Do you want to see Pittsburgh stay put at #32 and take Porter Jr? Let us know in the comments below!
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