The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially in the thick of it at 2023 training camp as they approach their first preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday. On Tuesday, the team participated in open field, one-on-one tackling drills which provided some highlights as well as some cause for concern for fans. The biggest takeaway was rookie cornerback, Joey Porter Jr. struggling in the drill and repeatedly letting ball carriers get by him in the open field.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Joey Porter Jr at Saint Vincent's College In Latrobe, PA
When the Steelers selected Porter Jr. with the first pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the main concern with him were his hands. He had just one interception in four years at Penn State and dropped a few interceptions during his collegiate career. However, since training camp has begun, he has shown that there are no issues with his hands at all, as he has been racking up interceptions.
A new concern regarding Porter Jr. has come about, however. His open field tackling was underwhelming on Tuesday. During the team's one-on-one drills, he was beaten by Gunner Olszewski on two reps. Porter Jr. never had a chance as Olszewski was able to juke right by him.
Gunner just beat Joey Porter twice back to back in 1v1s…#Steelers pic.twitter.com/qUi8yIpOzD
— PickensBurgh🫡 (Tino) (@PickensBurgh) August 8, 2023
Porter Jr. missed two tackles against Olszewski, and then missed two additional reps against Dez Fitzpatrick as well. This can be an issue for the rookie cornerback, as often times, if the ball is run outside or if a screen is thrown to his side of the field, he will be relied upon to make the open field tackle at the first point of contact. Of course, he will have ten other defenders on the field with him to make a play, but this is still an area of his game that the team will need to see improve. Porter Jr.'s tackling will be something the coaching staff pays close attention to during the team's preseason game against the Buccaneers on Friday.
AP
Steelers veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson will play a large role in the maturation and growth process of rookie DBs Cory Trice Jr. and Joey Porter Jr.
Steelers That Impressed During The Tackling Drill
Although Porter Jr.'s tackling was disappointing, there were some bright spots during the drill. Wide receiver, Hakeem Butler, had an impressing showing during the drill. He and Kenny Robinson had two reps against one another and each was victorious once. Butler was able to stiff arm Robinson, and stay on his feet to finish the drill.
Hakeem Butler is absolutely dominating in 1v1s. Huge physical WR#Steelers pic.twitter.com/jjuQBBsOn1
— PickensBurgh🫡 (Tino) (@PickensBurgh) August 8, 2023
Butler still has a long way to go in order to make the final 53-man roster, but his showing in the tackling drill surely opened some eyes. The former XFL receiver has struggled with drops during training camp, but has shown he has the ability to be a big, physical runner if he is able to get the ball into his hands.
Karl Roser / Steelers
Hakeem Butler going through WR drills during training camp
Olszewski impressed as well, shaking Porter Jr. out of his cleats. Olszewski is known to be dangerous and shifty in the open field, as he was once an All-Pro returner in 2020 during his time with the New England Patriots. He had some issues with fielding punts in 2022 for the Steelers, and is currently fighting to earn a roster spot.
A player who has impressed all of camp has been running back, Anthony McFarland Jr. He has been making plays both catching and running the ball. He shined in the one-on-one route-running drill last Wednesday, as he burned every linebacker he faced and didn't lose a single rep. He made toe-touching catches along the side line and ran some deep routes that resulted in touchdowns.
Anthony McFarland has cooked every backer he has gone against. Two deep TDs on go routes. One toe tapping catch along the side line. He just caught a ball in the flat and broke ankles.
— Brogan Noey (@BroganNoey) August 2, 2023
Strong showing so far
The success for McFarland Jr. continued Tuesday in the one-on-one tackling drill. He was able to get by newly-signed linebacker, Kwon Alexander, twice. He wasn't as dominant as he was in the receiving drills, but he was still able to show what he can do if he gets the ball in the open field.
Hagans and Mark Robinson go back to back and trade big blows on each other. Hagans has impressed so far.
— B-Wall (@BWall) August 8, 2023
They switch sides and McFarland shakes Kwon out of his shoes TWICE.
Dez then wins 2/3 reps on JPJ smh. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/jmGSKo3o9l
McFarland Jr. was a fourth-round selection by the Steelers in the 2020 NFL draft, however he hasn't had much success at the NFL level. He went on injured reserve for a stint to start the season in 2021 and spent the 2022 campaign on the Steelers' practice squad after being waived at the end of the team's 2022 training camp. In the first depth chart released by the team, he is listed as the third running back behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. With how he has been playing in training camp, it's unlikely anyone will be able to take his spot.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers veteran running back Anthony McFarland will have to prove himself once again in order to win the No. 3 RB job.
It was a rough day for Porter Jr., but it could just take some time for him to adjust to the speed and athleticism of NFL players. It won't truly be an issue until we see it happening in games, so a close eye will be on him in the preseason to see if he can make plays on ball-carriers. Despite the struggles for the rookie cornerback, seeing other players on the roster succeed and make plays is definitely reassuring for fans.
What do you think of Porter Jr.'s struggling with tackling Steeler Nation? Let us know in the comments below or share your thoughts with me on Twitter!
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