Commanders 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Pro day season edition
By Dean Jones
Commanders draft Joey Porter Jr.
- Cornerback | Penn State Nittany Lions
One of the biggest remaining needs for the Washington Commanders is finding a shutdown cornerback. Someone that can emerge as a player capable of locking down one side of the field consistently.
Despite picking up Cameron Dantzler Sr. off the waiver wire, this shouldn’t stop the Commanders from identifying a top-level prospect early in the draft. This could even be their pick at No. 16 overall depending on what transpires in front of them.
If Joey Porter Jr. somehow falls into their laps, it’s an opportunity that might prove difficult to pass up. The gifted defensive back has all the makings of a productive corner at the next level, with his size, athleticism, and physical approach sure to make him a hot commodity.
Porter is the son of a former Pro Bowl linebacker, so his football IQ is off the charts. This is matched by outstanding capabilities in press coverage, getting wide receivers off their routes almost constantly during a glittering college career with the Nittany Lions.
There is also nothing to worry about in the run game for Porter, whose aggressiveness and technique make him an asset in this particular discipline. The benefits of drafting him are obvious, but the Commanders face a nervous wait to see if he’s available at No. 16 overall.