Pittsburgh Steelers select Joey Porter Jr. with 32nd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft

When Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft came to a close, many were surprised to see that Penn State cornerback, Joey Porter Jr., was still available. For the first time in their storied history, the Pittsburgh Steelers held the top pick of the second round, and many wondered which direction they would go with this.

With quarterback Will Levis falling out of the first round entirely, teams started calling Pittsburgh about a potential trade-back. This seemed very likely, as the Steelers were forced to give up a fourth-round pick to move up for Broderick Jones in the first round.

Steelers draft CB Joey Porter Jr. at pick 32

With the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Joey Porter Jr. When they decided not to trade back, this trade was not a big surprise. In fact, it's what most of us expected.

The Steelers have expressed interest in Porter throughout the pre-draft process. Pittsburgh's brass met with him at the NFL Combine and used a 30-visit to meet with him at the facility.

Porter should slot in as a starting boundary cornerback opposite Patrick Peterson. He's a long, physical cornerback who didn't have a lot of interception production (just 1 pick in four years), but he can disrupt passing lanes with his length.

This pick not only filled a need for Pittsburgh, but it came at a money position. Additionally, there are clearly connections thanks to his father's career as a former Pro Bowl outside linebacker for the Steelers.

Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin didn't do a particularly good job of hiding their interest, but it just didn't matter. With their first two picks, the Steelers landed the players they had their hearts set on all along with OT Broderick Jones and CB Joey Porter Jr.

Porter will have a chance to change the stigma when it comes to Pittsburgh spending high picks on the cornerback positions. Fans have to be pleased with the first two selections the Steelers made this year.