The Detroit Lions could be one of the teams interested in trading for Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Porter is due a contract and will enter free agency this offseason if a deal does not get done.
However, with a new coaching staff in Pittsburgh, reports are that the two sides might come together. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported that the result of these discussions is that teams are monitoring his trade status. The Lions are one of the teams that make the most sense to trade for the fourth-year cornerback with 41 career starts.
JPJ is in the final year of his rookie contract, and with where the CB market is, teams have wondered if Pittsburgh could ultimately be open to a
As the team continues their battle for a second cornerback across from D.J. Reed, it makes sense for the team to be connected to the high-end cornerback.
Detroit Lions Could Trade Pittsburgh Steelers for Joey Porter Jr.
GettyJoey Porter Jr. #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers
D.J. Reed is expected to start on one side for the Lions. However, their plans to start Terrion Arnold across from him changed when Arnold was arrested and charged with burglary and robbery.
The team released Arnold, and Rock Ya-Sin stepped in as the starter. He has been pushed by Nick Whiteside and Ennis Rakestraw. Still, Whiteside is a bit of an unknown player who is emerging out of nowhere this offseason. Rakestraw is a former draft pick who has not made a push due to injuries.
The competition for Ya-Sin has not been the best. Ya-Sin has seven starts in the past three years, while Porter has 41. Last year, Ya-Sin had a defensive grade of 62.9 and a coverage grade of 64.9, per PFF. Porter posted a 67.6 grade last year and a coverage grade of 74.1.
Porter will be 26 this year, and Ya-Sin will be 30. The Steelers cornerback is younger, more experienced and more talented. He would give them the caliber of player they are missing from Arnold. The question is the compensation and his potential contract in return.
Lions Would Have to Trade for and Extend Porter Jr.
The Steelers do not want to pay Porter Jr. because of his potential price tag. A cornerback who was drafted high, started as a rookie, and graded out well in that time is going to expect a strong contract in return.
However, at the same time, Porter Jr. has yet to make a Pro Bowl. His penalties dropped from 15 to 9 last year, but he has 36 penalties against him, with 24 being accepted. There are flaws against him and reasons for Pittsburgh to want to avoid paying him top-of-the-market money.
However, with the rising salary cap and need for cornerbacks, if Pittsburgh does not pay Porter Jr. like a top-five cornerback, someone would on the open market.
Beyond that, Pittsburgh would be trading a starter-quality player at an important position right before the season starts. Unless they were not high on their chances this season, they would be looking for significant compensation in return.
Trading for Porter makes a lot of sense on paper. Losing a high-end draft pick and spending top-of-the-position money on a player who has not made a Pro Bowl is a tougher proposition. We will see if the Lions show more interest.
Lions Emerge as Suitor for 6-Foot-2 Upgrade at Cornerback