Raiders can trade back and still get potential elite CB
The Las Vegas Raiders are going into this 2023 NFL Draft as a team that needs to draft defense maybe more than any other team in the top 10. They need every position you can name on that side of the ball, but the one they need most has to be defensive back. Sure, they […]
The Las Vegas Raiders are going into this 2023 NFL Draft as a team that needs to draft defense maybe more than any other team in the top 10. They need every position you can name on that side of the ball, but the one they need most has to be defensive back.
Sure, they could get some great guys at the position with their first pick. They could potentially get Devon Witherspoon or possibly Christian Gonzales. Or, they could trade back, get more draft capital, and still get a great defensive back.
I'm not saying this is something they will do or should do, I'm simply saying it wouldn't be a bad move. If they did trade back, Joey Porter Jr. would be a guy that has high star potential and a low bust potential.
Here is what Pro Football Focus thinks about Porter Jr.:
Porter is one of the most consistent college cornerbacks you’ll see at establishing leverage on wide receivers at the line. His ability to get and maintain contact with receivers will play in the NFL. This should come as no surprise given the above paragraph. Porter allowed 68 yards on 106 snaps in press coverage all season. That’s not to say he has to be in press to be effective, but you’d be doing him a disservice consistently playing him in off-coverage. Porter was lucky to be flagged only three times this past season, as that certainly won’t be the case with his play style at the next level. He needs to reel in his tendency to yank jerseys to stick with receivers out of breaks. – PFF
Let's start with the fact that he is great at playing the game the way Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham likes to play his defense – press man. He loves to do that, they just don't have the personnel to do it as much. Porter was great at that in college, and can certainly get better at zone coverage.
He is a guy that can come in and play right away and be a great cornerback with star potential. That's certainly something the Raiders could use.
