Steelers rookie proving worth with league-leading stat

The Steelers' 2023 NFL Draft class is looking like it's going to end up being one of the league's best, but the player they got for a bargain seems to be the best of the bunch.

CB Joey Porter Jr., the No. 32 overall pick in the draft, has not only established himself as Pittsburgh's best corner but one of the NFL's best.

According to Pro Football Focus, Porter Jr. has allowed the fewest catches (24) on a minimum 50 targets this season. He's just ahead of the likes of Bears Pro Bowl CB Jaylon Johnson (25) and Jets All-Pro CB Sauce Gardner (29).

Granted, Porter Jr. began the season as a backup. But once the Steelers finally gave him a chance to play, he was quickly thrust into the starting lineup, shadowing opposing teams' No. 1 wide receivers on a weekly basis. He has since been named the team's Rookie of the Year, to no surprise.

His dad, Joey Porter, played linebacker for Pittsburgh (1999-2006). But he never won the award, which now gives Porter Jr. bragging rights.

"This is definitely something I'm going to brag to him about when I go home," Porter Jr. said.

However, something his father did win with the Steelers was a Super Bowl (XL), and that's the only thing that will help Porter Jr. get past his nightmarish draft fall.

"I need to win some rings for that to go away," Porter Jr. stated.

Porter Jr. was projected to go in the first round but somehow fell to the second. Thankfully for Pittsburgh, it owned the first pick thanks to its trade with the Bears that sent WR Chase Claypool to Chicago.

Now the Steelers have a key pillar to their defense for many years to come, which likely has the rest of the league kicking itself for letting Porter Jr. fall to them.