3 Commanders rumors emerging from the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
By Dean Jones
Commanders showing real interest in Joey Porter Jr.
Finding an athletic, physical cornerback capable of shutting down one side of the field is absolutely imperative for the Washington Commanders this offseason. Considering how expensive veterans are when they hit the open market, finding a long-term solution via the 2023 NFL Draft seems like the most realistic scenario.
Multiple interviews are taking place with prospective targets. But one player has been speaking to those in power within the Commanders more than most.
Joey Porter Jr. revealed that he’s spoken to the Commanders a lot in Indianapolis. The former Penn Stata stud has everything one looks for in a potential shutdown cornerback at the next level, with his footballing bloodline something else that is sure to assist his transition to the pros.
Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. said he had a formal interview with the Commanders. “I talked to them a lot.”
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) March 2, 2023
He added that he likes the number of Penn State players in Washington (Jahan Dotson, Shaka Toney, Tariq Castro-Fields). pic.twitter.com/GU4s0FG39a
Porter is more of a press or man coverage cornerback. The Commanders run zone concepts more often than not under Jack Del Rio, so this would need some significant adjustment from the defensive back if he ended up being Washington’s pick at No. 16 overall.
With that being said, adding someone like Porter opens up what Del Rio could do. It would also take some heat off Kendal Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste – two cornerbacks that are set to be starting for the Commanders unless something drastic occurs beforehand.