By all accounts, Joey Porter Jr. had one of the best rookie seasons from an NFL corner. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers took it slow with him, opting to wait until after the bye week to make him a starter, but their patience may have paid off as he was a WR #1 eraser for the rest of the year. 

So when projecting what he can become, it’s not rich to think that he’s a lock to make the Pro Bowl in 2024, with a potential All-Pro nod attainable. But Bucky Brooks of NFL media is pumping the brakes on that. 

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Porter Jr. only a “dark-horse” for the Pro Bowl? 

The second-year pro is a dark-horse contender for Pro Bowl honors in 2024 after thriving as the CB1 in Pittsburgh down the stretch last season. Porter's toughness, tenacity and tools make him a difficult matchup for pass catchers who lack the speed and physicality to escape his clutches at the line. Though he remains a work in progress on the island, Porter's alpha-dog mentality and unshakeable confidence could enable him to shine without a polished game. – Bucky Brooks, NFL Media

To first examine why Brooks is selling Peezy Jr. short, let’s examine the Pro Bowler CBs in the AFC from 2023-2024. 

• Jalen Ramsey
• Sauce Gardner 
• Patrick Surtain II
• Denzel Ward

Look, even though Porter’s recent comments made headlines for a questionable list of top 5 corners, and his outspoken belief that he’s already the best CB in the league might be rich, there’s no reason to think he can’t crack into that group of four as more than a dark-horse. 

Jalen Ramsey made the team despite playing only 

10 games last season, albeit he’s a generational talent, basically a lock for the Hall of Fame and did shine in those 10 appearances. 

And Denzel Ward is a terrific corner that headlines the best trio of outside and nickel corners in the NFL with Martin Emerson and Greg Newsome. 

But Porter might already be, if not certainly will be, better than both were last season. And don’t forget, that was with a revolving door in the secondary, but especially at the CB position opposite of him, something Pittsburgh hopes to change in 2024 following the acquisition of Donte Jackson. 

So “Dark Horse” for the Pro Bowl…I think not. More like a lock.