Jul 20, 2026, 6:27 PM UTC
Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. had what many would consider a breakout season in 2025. The defensive back posted a career-high 14 passes defended in 2025, and cut his penalty numbers back from a league-leading 17 in 2024 to just nine. However, many believe Porter Jr. is set to take another massive leap this season.
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus listed 10 players that could make the jump to earning their first All-Pro in 2026, with Porter Jr. being one of those listed.
“Porter already looked dominant on a defense that finished near league average in passing success rate, plus 21st in PFF coverage grade. Those metrics figure to augment in 2026 with Pittsburgh signing impressive corner Jamel Dean and hiring Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator,” Locker wrote. “The 25-year-old Porter has the combination of length, physicality and bravado to take another step this season.”
According to PFF, the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft ranked in the 90th percentile in coverage grade last season. He also ranked in the 91st percentile in single coverage, while ranking among the best in the 96th percentile in forced incompletion rate last season.
Porter Jr. is eligible for a massive contract extension that could pay him upwards of $30 million per season. While it is unclear if a deal gets done before the season kicks off, it might be smart on the organization’s end to get a deal done before he takes an All-Pro leap and becomes potentially more expensive.
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