Penn State Football: 2023 NFL Mock Draft Nittany Lions Edition
![INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 04: Brenton Strange of Penn State participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 04, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 04: Brenton Strange of Penn State participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 04, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/796aa90154015721f89817c0279b4eae498fe2d4328f00c8ca11a32c1c369aa7.jpg)
With the 17th pick in the 2023 Penn State football mock draft, I have the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
The Steelers picked up Patrick Peterson in the offseason to bring that veteran player into the secondary. This is perfect for a guy like Porter Jr, he doesn’t necessarily have to be their #1 cornerback during this rookie season and he gets to learn from a guy who has 34 career interceptions over his 12-year NFL career. Then, after spending a season under Peterson’s wing Porter Jr can shine as the guy.
Another positive for Porter Jr to be selected by the Steelers is they have one of the best safeties in the NFL in Minkah Fitzpatrick. Due to this, Porter Jr can play with a little more freedom knowing that even if he does get beat in a man-to-man scenario, he will have safety help over the top.
Not only does this seem like a great fit for the former Nittany Lion, but also it runs in the family. As many of you know Joey Porter Jr’s father Joey Porter Sr played for the Steelers from 1999-2006. He also won a Super Bowl with the Steelers in 2005, so it’s the perfect fit for his son to carry on his legacy.