Joey Porter Jr. made quite the impression as a rookie cornerback in 2023 based largely on his size and physicality.
Porter set out to enter his second NFL season even bigger and more physical.
After the second session of Pittsburgh Steelers organized team activities Wednesday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, the 6-foot-2 Porter said he added at least 5 pounds over the offseason.
“I’m big for my position, so being 198-200 (to now) wasn’t a big difference for me,” Porter said. “I feel being at 205, I can be more physical in the run game, more physical on the line. That’s what I’m shooting for.”
Porter said he emphasized weight training and feels “a little stronger” this summer than last, when he had just entered the league as a second-round pick from Penn State.
“I feel good,” Porter said Wednesday. “I feel pretty powerful right now.”
Porter was one of three tall and heavy rookie cornerbacks on the Steelers roster last season — of which he was actually the smallest. Seventh-round pick Cory Trice (who missed the season because of a knee injury) is listed at 6-3, 206, and midseason acquisition Darrius Rush is 6-2, 198.
The Steelers’ bigger DBs recognize they need to use their size to their advantage.
“Really just getting our hands on guys and being able to run,” Trice said. “We are all fast, we are all long, so we use hands and just run with guys. It’s what we were all out there to do.”
