Why Steelers finally have a true alpha in secondary

It has been a long time since the Steelers had a true lockdown corner in their secondary, but here are three reasons why rookie CB Joey Porter Jr. will be exactly that for the next five-plus years.

It's in the genes

Porter Jr., the No. 32 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is the son of former LB Joey Porter. His dad played for Pittsburgh from 1999-2006, winning Super Bowl XL and also being named to four Pro Bowls. The Steelers love their family ties and Porter Jr. is proving exactly why.

The rookie has quickly earned the starting job over veteran CB Levi Wallace and is set to make his second career start against the Packers in Week 10. Although growing up in an NFL family can be difficult, it certainly prepared Porter Jr. for his future, which is looking bright.

So far, so good

Porter Jr. has established himself as one of the top cornerbacks of his rookie class, as well as the league overall. He has 17 tackles, one interception, four passes defended, and allowed a passer rating of just 48.3 when targeted this season, per Pro Football Focus. This is fifth overall among all defensive players.

The Penn State product was the fifth cornerback taken in the draft and his start to the season surely has other teams regretting not selecting him. As for the Steelers, they are likely very happy he fell to them at the top of the second round, the pick they acquired from the Bears for WR Chase Claypool.

Best vs. best

Porter Jr. has quickly proven not to be afraid about going up against the NFL's best. In fact, he rather welcomes it. The rookie asked head coach Mike Tomlin to be matched up with All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins in Pittsburgh's Week 9 win against the Titans.

"I went to Coach T and told him, 'I want 10,'" Porter Jr. said. "That's what I was looking for. I don't really hide from nothing. I said, 'That's the matchup I want, that's the matchup I need.'"

Tomlin granted Porter Jr.'s wishes and he certainly backed up his words with his play, holding Hopkins to just one reception for 17 yards on five targets, according to Next Gen Stats. It's safe to say it won't be the last time Porter Jr. shadows an opposing team's top playmaker after lining up against Hopkins on 72.2 percent of his routes.