Joey Porter Jr. trade fits: Which NFL teams could target CB?
The Joey Porter Jr. situation in Pittsburgh has reached a tipping point.
Porter is open to a trade and the Steelers are willing to deal him. This has been brewing for a while, with Porter long considering his options after the team's hardline stance on a contract despite paying several teammates from his own 2023 draft class.
He is a good young player at a premium position on a prominent team known for developing -- and paying -- its own draft picks. That's why this situation is so surprising.
Porter will have a trade market. It's important to note that contract demands have scared some teams away from giving up significant draft capital for certain players. They would rather trade for players on rookie deals or team-friendly contracts. The cornerback market now features six players making at least $30 million.
But Porter is on the short list of cornerbacks who can cover elite receivers in space, and that's worth a lot.
It's also worth noting that the Steelers can decide to hold on to Porter.
Here are a few teams that qualify as trade fits.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has been looking for cornerback help, though more so in the bargain bin to this point.
The franchise has trade-market rapport with Pittsburgh GM Omar Khan. The sides have reached deals in back-to-back offseasons, as Dallas traded for wide receiver George Pickens in May 2025 and offensive tackle Broderick Jones on Aug. 29.
Dallas did not discuss Porter Jr. with Pittsburgh at the time of the Jones trade. But that would be an easy call for the Cowboys to make if interested.
The problem: Dallas has given up some of its draft capital. The team has seven selections in 2027, but four of those are in the sixth and seventh rounds. Porter would likely cost at least a second-round pick, possibly a first. The Cowboys owe the better of theirs or Green Bay's first-round pick to the New York Jets, and their third-round selection to the Steelers.
Detroit Lions
The Lions were looking for corner help even before they released Terrion Arnold in June. Detroit can spend the early weeks of the season evaluating how D.J. Reed, Keith Abney II, Roger McCreary and others play together.
Detroit has ample salary cap space -- around $38 million as of Sunday, according to OverTheCap.com -- but has committed more than $1 billion in extensions for star players, which could lead to a cap crunch very soon. Detroit also could decide to pay 2027 free agents Sam LaPorta (tight end) and Brian Branch (safety).
Detroit likes man-coverage corners, and Porter definitely qualifies.
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans is rolling with young corners Quincy Riley and Kool-Aid McKinstry, but if the team wants reinforcements, Pittsburgh would be the sensible call.
New Orleans has around $8 million in cap space and has six total draft picks in April.
With quarterback Tyler Shough in the second year of his rookie deal, the timing might be right to take a swing on a young difference-maker who will soon be expensive.
New York Jets
The Jets' roster has improved from a year ago but is still thin at corner. Coach Aaron Glenn, who had 41 interceptions as a player, can appreciate a good man-coverage player.
No team is better positioned in the 2027 draft than the Jets, who have 10 picks overall, including three first-rounders. Getting the quarterback of the future will be the Jets' priority. But exploring other avenues to improve the roster is an option, too.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers' cornerback rotation looked stout Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams, but seasons are long and Porter would help the defense immensely.
San Francisco has eight draft picks in 2027 and around $45 million in cap space.
Porter Jr. opposite Deommodore Lenoir would form a stout 1-2 cornerback combo for the 49ers.
]
