Joey Porter Jr.
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CBS Sports' Garrett Podell predicted the Pittsburgh Steelers to pair Clemson CB Avian Terrell with Joey Porter Jr.
It’s been a little bit of a slow development for former No. 32 overall pick Joey Porter Jr. Pundits, though, saw Porter’s play in 2025 as a significant step forward.
Even with Porter’s improved play, entering 2026, the Pittsburgh Steelers still face the same question it has for many consecutive offseason. Who will play opposite Porter as the defense’s No. 2 cornerback?
CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell proposed Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell.
Podell predicted Terrell to the Steelers at No. 21 overall in his latest 2026 NFL mock draft released this week.
“Terrell has great instincts and quickness. The 2025 All-ACC First Team selection set Clemson records for a defensive back in forced fumbles in a season (five in 2025) and career (eight from 2023-25),” Podell wrote. “His eight career forced fumbles were also the most by a cornerback in college football from 2023-25, which was the span of his career.
“Terrell has great agility and is light on his feet, which makes him an ideal slot corner. He’s naturally a great closer in short zone coverage. He can have issues on the outside against bigger receivers, but he’s an adept blitzer and strong in the run game.
“Terrell could add some much-needed youth to the Steelers’ secondary besides Joey Porter Jr.”
Will the Steelers Draft a Cornerback in the First Round?
The former Clemson cornerback’s ability to force fumbles would have been a very attractive trait for ex-Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. The question, though, is whether Mike McCarthy emphasizes turnovers and builds his defense accordingly.
Even if McCarthy does make that a priority, there’s no guarantee the Steelers use the first pick of the McCarthy era on defense. The veteran coach is the organization’s first offensive head coach since Bill Austin in 1968.
The Steelers hired McCarthy in large part because the organization badly needs better offensive play. The team must develop a quarterback, but that goal could head to the back burner again if Aaron Rodgers returns.
Should that happen, a playmaker in the first round to support Rodgers in 2026 would make sense.
Even if the Steelers target a defensive prospect, Pittsburgh would buck a trend to target a cornerback in the first round. Over the last 28 draft classes, the Steelers have taken one cornerback in the first round.
It didn’t work out either. The Steelers selected cornerback Artie Burns at No. 25 overall in 2016.
Porter was a top 32 pick in the 2023 draft class. However, he was the first selection of the second round.
Why Avieon Terrell Could Fit Opposite Joey Porter Jr.
The Steelers have tried adding numerous veterans this decade to supplement its cornerback room. In the past three years alone since drafting Porter, the Steelers have signed Patrick Peterson along with Darius Slay and traded for Donte Jackson and Jalen Ramsey.
All four veteran cornerbacks disappointed in their own way. Due to that, it might be time for the Steelers to finally spend another first-rounder on a cornerback.
Pairing Porter with an inexperienced cornerback starter probably wouldn’t have been smart when he was also inexperienced. But with Porter having 41 starts under his belt, the Steelers should be more comfortable with a young cornerback as one of the team’s starters.
Ramsey and Brandin Echols remain under contract as well. So, a rookie cornerback wouldn’t have to start immediately opposite Porter.
Terrell, though, will be one of the most NFL-ready cornerbacks in the 2026 class. That, along with his playmaking ability, should make him an intriguing prospect for the Steelers.
“Avieon shares the same bloodlines and coverage temperament as his brother, A.J., a first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2020,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “Avieon Terrell is an athletic, fluid mover with clean transitions and enough speed to stay in phase on most vertical routes.
“Terrell projects as an early starter thanks to his polish, ball skills and coverage versatility.”