Bears Identified as Ideal Destination for High-Ceiling Cornerback
The Chicago Bears may consider trading down from the No. 9 overall pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, potentially putting them in the perfect position to select a top cornerback. Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network suggests that Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. would be a fantastic fit for Matt Eberflus' 4-3 defensive scheme.
Fowler noted that the Bears had a strong presence at the Nittany Lions' pro day, with Porter as the main attraction. He believes that Porter's exceptional talent and high ceiling could create one of the most exciting young corner tandems in the league alongside Kyler Gordon. Porter's impressive college career has many expecting him to excel in the NFL.
On the plus side, Porter has a connection with Jaquan Brisker, the Bears' starting strong safety and a 2022 second-round pick. They played together for three years at Penn State, building chemistry on the field. If the Bears saw potential in Porter during their film study of Brisker last year, they might be enticed to draft him in 2023. General manager Ryan Poles showed interest by attending Penn State's pro day, where Porter was the star attraction.
Porter is likely to be a first-round pick in the draft on April 27. While the Bears have other needs at offensive tackle and defensive line, selecting a top-tier cornerback could be a smart move if they trade down to a later spot in the draft order. ESPN's Mel Kiper projected Porter going No. 16 overall to the Washington Commanders in his latest mock draft.
With excellent length and quick reflexes, Porter has all the qualities of a first-round cornerback. He's highly competitive in man coverage, making it challenging for receivers to gain separation. However, the Bears are searching for a cornerback skilled in zone coverage, raising questions about how well Porter fits their scheme.
As seen at: Bears Named Best Fit for CB With �Immensely High Ceiling'
| POLL | ||
12 AVRIL | 62 ANSWERS Bears Identified as Ideal Destination for High-Ceiling Cornerback Should the Bears focus on the secondary in the draft? | ||
| Yes | 23 | 37.1 % |
| B | 39 | 62.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
