The X-Factor to Darien Porter's Game

There is a lot to like about the Raiders' third-round selection, cornerback Darien Porter out of Iowa State.

Long, fluid athlete with the speed to match the burners and the versatility to do whatever is asked of him in a modern secondary. High IQ player with toughness and a special teams background. Perhaps one of the true sleeper cornerbacks in the draft and a rising name by the end of the 2025 NFL Draft cycle.

On top of it all, Porter has a wide receiver's background and knowledge -- he arrived at Iowa State with the dreams of being a pass-catcher. Now, he's looking to make his money at defensive back for one of the best cornerback gurus to hold a head coach position -- Pete Carroll.

"It's very helpful, especially pre-snap," Porter said of his past as a wide receiver. "Kind of getting a feel for the formation, where receivers are lining up, what their splits are, is number one or number two on or off the ball. There's a lot of things that from playing, having so much time dedicated to the other side of the ball, that I have been able to bring over to the defensive side. And it gives me a little bit of an advantage kind of knowing what the offense might be doing in certain formations or in any given down or something."

The selection of Porter was a product of the Raiders' vision -- physicality and passion for the game, rings true.

General manager John Spytek's words define the Raiders draft process.