Joey Porter Jr. admits to still being bothered by where he was selected in 2023 NFL Draft

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is coming off of a solid rookie season. The Penn State product started in 11 games for the Steelers and compiled 43 tackles, 10 deflections, and an interception. He also clearly established himself as one of the better young corners in the NFL in the process.

However, despite the success that he has already obtained at the professional level, Porter Jr. recently admitted to still being bothered by where he was selected in the 2023 Draft. The Steelers selected Porter Jr. in the second round (32nd overall) of the draft.

"It still gets under my skin sometimes," Porter Jr. said. "I felt like I was CB1 for sure, and it didn't pan out that way. And luckily it didn't pan out that way because I ended up here. I feel like it was worth it."

Porter Jr. is happy with the way things turned out now, as he's thriving as a member of the Steelers. But, like many elite athletes before him, he used his initial frustration as motivation, which helped him play with a chip on his shoulder throughout his rookie campaign.

"I feel like it elevated my game even more because I came into the league with a chip on my shoulder to prove myself," Porter Jr. said. "I feel like I'm still proving myself every day when I step on the field. I don't feel like I am there yet. I have a lot to learn."

Given Porter Jr.'s promising play as a rookie, it's no wonder why Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is excited to see what the future holds for the 23-year-old.

"I'm really excited about the trajectory of his career," Tomlin said of Porter Jr. "Probably the most impressive component of where he is, is his mindset. He wants the fight. He wants the tough coverage. He's extremely competitive in that way. And that's a great place to build from."

Just like Tomlin, Steelers fans everywhere are excited to see what Porter Jr. has in store for his sophomore season, and beyond.