Who knows how the Dallas Cowboys pried Joey Porter Jr. away from the Steelers. But the deal made blockbuster NFL waves. Furthermore, the Cowboys' defensive coordinator shared his completely honest thoughts on adding Porter to his side of the ball, according to a post on X by Jon Machota.
“Cowboys DC Christian Parker on CB Joey Porter Jr.: ‘He certainly fits what we do and how we want to play. When you have opportunities, and I get asked about guys like that, it’s usually a yes. I’m always trying to add more good players.’ ”
Porter is a fourth-year NFL player. He finished fifth in the AP defensive rookie of the year voting in 2023. In that season, he started 11 games and defended 10 passes with an interception and 43 tackles. Last year with the Steelers, Porter totaled 14 passes defended with an interception and 52 tackles.
Did the Cowboys get a major upgrade with CB Joey Porter Jr.?
Article Continues BelowThe Cowboys seem desperate to fix their defense. But one thing in this trade could work against them. Players who sit out through training camp and miss early games tend to be candidates for soft-tissue injuries that can linger throughout the season.
Whether Porter escapes that possibility remains to be seen. But he should beef up a thin Cowboys secondary, according to Bleacher Report.
“When Joey Porter Jr. is ready to take the field, he'll be the Cowboys' clear-cut No. 1 cover man on the boundary,” Moe Moton wrote. “Through three seasons in Pittsburgh, he recorded 31 pass breakups, three interceptions, and allowed a 57.2 passer rating in coverage. Touted for his man coverage ability out of Penn State, he can shadow lead wide receivers and force quarterbacks to target secondary pass-catchers. Dallas should be far better in pass coverage going forward, as long as Porter's back injury clears up.”
And the Cowboys didn’t have to give up a premier pick for the 2027 NFL Draft. Jerry Jones is wheeling and dealing like a madman. He struck gold with George Pickens. Can he fleece the Steelers a second time?