Jacksonville Jaguars in position to take CB Joey Porter Jr. in 2023 NFL Draft

Cornerback is one of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ top needs this offseason and they’ll be in a position to take a good one with the 24th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. This year’s class will be stacked with cornerback talent and The 33rd Team believes the Jags will end with Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr.

In their most recent mock draft, the 33rd Team’s scouting department has Jacksonville drafting Porter at No. 24, arguing that he’s got ideal traits for the position.

"The Jaguars target height, weight and speed, which is what they will be in on Porter Jr. He has the size (6-foot-2) and length to go along with explosive speed for the position."

You will always want a corner that doesn’t shy away from contact and Porter’s aggressiveness and competitiveness stand out on film. On the other hand, Cory Giddings of the Bleacher Report’s scouting department notes that he might overpursue at times and adds that he doesn’t always play with good pad level. The good thing is that these issues can be corrected with coaching.

The son of the former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Porter is projected to be a first-round pick. He’s the fifth-best cornerback in B/R’s big board and Pro Football Focus’ No. 4 prospect at the position. He should be available when the Jaguars are on the clock with the 24th pick.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will have options at corner in the NFL Draft

This isn’t the first time the Jaguars are projected to select a cornerback with their 2023 first-round pick. The 33rd Pick previously had them taking Alabama’s Brian Branch. Similarly, Trevor Sikkema of PFF thinks Cam Smith would be a good fit in Jacksonville. In the end, the choice might come down to which prospect may be best suited to line up in the slot.

Cornerback will usually come up when discussing the Jaguars’ top offseason needs but there’s a catch. The Jaguars already have a pair of good outside corners in Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams. What they really need is someone who can man the slot.

Williams signed a three-year, $40 million deal last year and was the team’s nickel early in the 2022 season: However, he later moved to the perimeter and played much better. Head coach Doug Pederson said Williams is a natural fit outside, so he will likely remain there in 2023.

Branch can line up at nickel or safety, which makes him an appealing option for the Jaguars. On the other hand, Porter’s physical traits and athleticism are enticing. There’s a good chance they’ll both be available at No. 24, so the Jaguars will have their fair share of choices.

The draft is still a couple of months away and it’s not a given that the Jacksonville Jaguars will take a cornerback in the first round. But if they do, they should be able to come away with a good one.