Did the New Orleans Saints see enough from Tyler Shough in their overtime loss to the Detroit Lions to convince them to swing big? If so, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is a highly intriguing trade candidate. Porter's contract talks with the Steelers reached an impasse, leading to dramatic reports about his openness to moving on
and his notable absence from Pittsburgh's sideline. It sounds like the 26-year old will have a healthy market in his contract year.Pro Football Focus found that 120 cornerbacks took at least 160 snaps in pass protection last year, and Porter (597) ranked ninth-best in passer rating allowed in man coverage. When Pittsburgh ran zone, he improved to sixth-best. Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley ranked 78th
and 101st in man as well as 71st and 88th in zone, respectively. That's a huge upgrade.
It was reported during this spring's 2026 NFL Draft that New Orleans was high on former LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane with their first-round pick, so they could be open to a deal for Porter. And those dots have been connected here with Porter. He highlighted other teams ahead of the Saints like the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler made the case for New Orleans to call about Porter's services:
New Orleans is rolling with young corners Quincy Riley and Kool-Aid McKinstry, but if the team wants reinforcements, Pittsburgh is the sensible call.
The Saints have around $8 million in cap space and has six total draft picks in April.
With quarterback Tyler Shough in the second year of his rookie deal, the timing might be right to take a swing on a young difference-maker who will soon be expensive.
You just have to wonder how Porter fits in. How did the Saints' starters do in Sunday's season opener? McKinstry was on the field for all 77 defensive snaps, drawing seven targets according to PFF charting. He yielded four catches for 42 yards (15 yards after the catch) and three first downs, with a pass breakup. Riley stayed in the game for 66 snaps but was targeted nine times, allowing five catches for 58 yards (13 after the catch), three first downs, and two touchdowns, also breaking up a pass. Riley briefly subbed out for veteran backup Martin Emerson Jr. on 11 snaps. Emerson was targeted once, giving up a 7-yard catch to Jameson Williams underneath but stopping the receiver short of a first-down conversion.
If the Saints aren't confident in Riley or willing to extend McKinstry, maybe Porter would make sense. But the whole reason the Steelers are open to trading him is because they aren't interested in paying Porter the $30 million per year he's seeking. Porter is an outstanding defender in both man and zone coverage, but he's also a penalty magnet. He's drawn 26 accepted penalties with 11 more offset or declined fouls across 47 games. For context, Alontae Taylor was flagged 20 times (with one other penalty declined) in 64 games. Paulson Adebo drew 27 penalties (seven more offset or declined) in 52 games with the Saints.
There's little question about Porter's talent or fit in Brandon Staley's defense. He would immediately be their CB1, giving the team real depth with McKinstry handling assignments as the CB2 and Riley or Emerson getting into games as a backup. One of them could slide into the slot, too. Or maybe one of those corners could be sent back to Pittsburgh in a deal. McKinstry is under contract for next season and the Steelers know Emerson well after competing against him when he was with the Cleveland Browns. Sending a player back could help the Saints from giving up a first-round pick Pittsburgh is surely seeking.
But there's the rub. Yes, the Saints do own six picks in the 2027 draft. That doesn't mean they should part with a premium pick right now. If they lose next week to the Baltimore Ravens and a slump develops? They're better off holding onto a first rounder. On the other hand, if they go on a run and go into their bye week with, say, a 5-2 record and an early lead on the NFC South (and the playoff berth that comes with a division title)? Maybe that's when you seriously look into a trade for a player like Porter. Salary cap dollars aren't as big a concern because the Saints have so many players on rookie or minimum contracts at cornerback right now, and their books ae clean in 2027 and beyond. They just can't afford to repeat their 2023 draft mistake and trade what turns into a top-10 pick.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Should Saints enter trade talks for Steelers corner Joey Porter Jr.?
