NFL player comparisons for Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr.

Low-end NFL comparison: Lonnie Johnson

Coming out of college, I thought Lonnie Johnson was a player that teams should gamble on. At nearly 6'2'' with 32 5/8'' arms, Johnson had ideal size and length at the cornerback position to pair with quality athletic traits and explosion.

Like Joey Porter Jr., Johnson was a physical press-man cornerback coming out of college. Also like Porter, Johnson had just one career interception. Ultimately, the Kentucky product was selected with the 54th overall pick by the Houston Texans. Sadly, his career has not gone according to plan.

The physical cornerback started 19 of his first 44 games with the Texans, but his lack of versatility in coverage led to Houston moving on from him in the final year of his rookie contract before joining the Tennesse Titans in 2022. Now Johnson is already on his third NFL team as a member of the New Orleans Saints.

Johnson only recorded interceptions in one season so far (3 picks in 2021), and ball production isn't his forte. Obviously, this sort of career path would be far less than ideal for Joey Porter Jr., but it's not unthinkable -- especially with Pittsburgh's spotty track record when it comes to drafting the position. Consider Lonnie Johnson as the worst-case NFL player comparison for what Porter could be in the NFL.