Cowboys acquire Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. for draft picks
Dallas traded for former Pittsburgh second-round pick Joey Porter Jr., sending a 2027 sixth-round and a 2028 second-round pick to the Steelers, while the player remains unsigned for a new contract.
The Dallas Cowboys announced Thursday that they have acquired cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2027 and a second-round pick in 2028. Porter, a 2023 second-round selection who missed the first three games with a back injury, had been negotiating a contract extension with Pittsburgh that did not materialize.
Sources said the Steelers and Porter reached an impasse over the contract structure, prompting the player to request a trade. The Cowboys, dealing with injuries to cornerbacks Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel Jr. and safety depth concerns, saw an opportunity to add a man-to-man specialist.
"There is a chance Porter will make his Cowboys debut Sunday against the Houston Texans," a league source told ESPN.
Porter’s agent, David Mulugheta, also represents several other Dallas players, suggesting the player is aware of the Cowboys’ approach of not guaranteeing an extension during the season. Analysts indicated the trade was not contingent on a new deal, and Porter is likely to become a free-agent after the season unless the team uses a franchise or transition tag.
The Cowboys’ secondary has struggled, ranking among the league’s lowest in interceptions and allowing a 72.6% completion rate by opposing quarterbacks. Porter, who ranks 13th lowest in opponent completion percentage when targeted, could help improve coverage as Dallas runs slightly more man coverage than the league average.
For Pittsburgh, losing Porter creates a depth hole, but defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has emphasized zone schemes, and rookie Daylen Everette has shown promise in recent games. The Steelers retain multiple draft assets, including eight picks in 2027 and an additional second-rounder in 2028, to address the secondary through the draft or future trades.
Analysts graded the trade B for Dallas and C+ for Pittsburgh, noting that while Porter’s physical attributes and man-coverage skills could benefit the Cowboys, the move carries some risk given his limited experience in press coverage.