The Detroit Lions were reportedly interested in trading for Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., but they lost out to the Dallas Cowboys. Late on Wednesday night, it was reported that the Cowboys are sending a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick for the disgruntled cornerback. At this point, it isn’t clear if the Cowboys will be giving Porter, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, an extension. But there are reports he is seeking a contract north of $30 million per year, which would place him amongst the top-six paid cornerbacks in the league.
Porter has three seasons under his belt in the NFL and has produced fairly solid plays. In 41 starts, he’s managed 31 passes defended, three interceptions, 165 tackles, and PFF grades of 64.3, 55.3, and 70.1 from 2023 to 2025. The former second-round pick is considered a solid man-coverage cornerback, but he has also committed 38 penalties in three years.
The Lions will have to move forward with the players they currently have for now, despite early struggles that have resulted in Detroit allowing the most passing yards (299.3 per game) and the sixth-highest passer rating (110.2) through three games. D.J. Reed is likely entrenched as a starter, while the Lions are shuffling between Roger McCreary, Ennis Rakestraw, and Rock Ya-Sin for the starting job opposite Reed.
Of course, the NFL trade deadline is still over a month away (Nov. 10), so it’s possible Detroit still makes a move.