NFL Draft 2023 Rumors: Commanders Host Joey Porter Jr.; No. 1 CB on B/R's Big Board

The Washington Commanders hosted Penn State cornerback and potential first-round prospect Joey Porter Jr. on a visit this week, according to The Athletic's Ben Standig.

The Commanders hold the No. 16 pick in the first round, and it's possible the corner will be available to them, although Porter was listed as the No. 1 corner and No. 9 player overall on the B/R Scouting Department's big board following the NFL Scouting Combine.

The B/R Scouting Department described Porter as a "physical cornerback with ideal length and size. He's an aggressive cover corner who likes to play press and get his hands on receivers to disrupt routes."

It added that he will need to "clean up his hand usage and placement when in coverage, but his ball skills and awareness will serve him well in the NFL. He will be on the top of the cornerback board for many teams and should only continue to get better."

As for where he's likely to be drafted, that varies from pundit to pundit.

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah had him going No. 22 overall to the Baltimore Ravens in his latest mock draft, while his coworker Bucky Brooks had him off the board at No. 16 to the Commanders.

Over at ESPN, Todd McShay also had Porter going to the Commanders, while Mel Kiper Jr. likes him going two picks earlier to the New England Patriots at No. 14.

While a number of draft pundits have projected Porter to the Commanders, Standig isn't seeing it, writing that the "press, man-heavy corner does not feel like the ideal fit for Jack Del Rio's defense."

Cornerback is a position of need, though, and adding a player like Porter alongside Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste would give the team a solid trio at the position. Bolstering the offensive line might be an even bigger need, but cornerback is one of the deeper positions in the draft and a talented player like Porter might be available for the team.

Or, the Commanders could wait until the later rounds, hoping to get good value given the depth at corner. Washington should have options, but don't be surprised when it addresses the position.