Dallas Cowboys Trading for Former 2nd-Round Pick From Pittsburgh Steelers

In the 2023 NFL Draft, Porter Jr. was a fringe first-round talent, and many analysts believed he would go in the mid to late first round, but he ended up falling to the first pick in the second round with the 32nd overall pick. The Miami Dolphins had to forfeit their first-rounder that season for a tampering situation with quarterback Tom Brady, which is why there were only 31 picks that year.

Porter Jr. is a good boundary cornerback, though he has been inconsistent when asked to come downhill and tackle. But he can press and shows up in big moments. His interception numbers aren’t there, but he does have 34 batted passes. In 2025, Porter Jr. was third in passer rating allowed, sixth in completion rate allowed, tied for third for forced interceptions, and had the most snaps with no touchdowns.

The Steelers and Porter Jr. were in a deadlock for a new contract, so his name has come up this season in trade talks. He is in the final year of his rookie contract. For the Cowboys, adding Porter Jr. makes a ton of sense with injuries to Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel Jr.

The compensation makes a lot of sense as well. A second-rounder in 2028, given the Cowboys' run of second-round picks, isn’t a lot lost for the team.

It is probably worth noting that Porter Jr. was having “back issues,” but were these real injury concerns or “Micah Parsons” injury concerns? Also, Porter Jr. has the same agent as Parsons and wants a new deal, which it's being reported that the Cowboys won’t immediately extend him.

It could be a one-year rental on a talented cornerback, but the last trade with the Steelers seems to have worked out as George Pickens has been as advertised.