The Cowboys are losing secondary players at an amazing rate, and I’m wondering how much more this secondary can take. And now we have Joey Porter Jr. to pick up some of the slack.
Dallas has inquired about his availability and ESPN has identified Dallas and Detroit among the interested teams, while Josina Anderson reported that Dallas and Pittsburgh haven’t come to an agreement on compensation.
Well, Dallas and Pittsburgh figured it out and got the deal finished.
I understand the interest with Cobie Durant sidelined, and Shavon Revel Jr. being injured against Baltimore. Dallas needs help alongside DaRon Bland.
But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, I wanted to answer something more useful. Does Joey Porter Jr. fit what Christian Parker is trying to do?
His zone coverage numbers give Dallas a reason to be hopeful in the player they are getting.
Joey Porter Jr. Can Play Zone
If you follow other teams around the NFL, you may be under the impression that Joey Porter Jr. only has the ability to get physical with receivers at the line. His press coverage skills are what brought him to Pittsburgh.
His 2025 production takes that a little further.
When I looked at the numbers, Porter allowed a 48.7 passer rating in zone coverage, second best in the NFL. His overall passer rating allowed was 55.9, third-best, and his 47.8% completion percentage allowed ranked sixth-lowest.
I hope this eliminates the Dallas doesn’t need to bring in another press-man corner and teach him how to survive in a zone. Those numbers get rid of that argument all together.
Where He Fits in Christian Parker’s Defense
Through the first three games, Dallas has played a zone 72% of the time and man coverage 20.2%. Christian Parker needs corners who work in zone coverage because, based on this information, zone is the preferred coverage scheme.
So, Joey Porter Jr.’s 48.7 passer rating allowed in zone last season, which was second best in the NFL, will be a welcomed change for this secondary. His reputation as a man-coverage corner shouldn’t overshadow what he’s been doing in zone coverage.
I know there would still be some work to do with him because overall zone production doesn’t show how he handles every route or coverage adjustment Dallas uses. Parker will need to give him a crash course in their defense.
Saying Porter is a man corner who doesn’t belong in this scheme is a tough pill to swallow.
Dallas Needs an Answer to the Health Question
Joey Porter Jr. has been inactive for Pittsburgh’s first three games while dealing with an injury. If there is an injury at all, I would almost put money on it not being health-related, and it is all tied to his contract demands.
The Cowboys will need to make sure if this was a contract injury or a real injury. A realistic timeline would need to be found if it is a real injury. We can all imagine him lining up opposite of DaRon Bland, but when will that actually happen?
The trade was made, and now a new long-term contract will be attached. His future contract relies heavily on his overall health.
Make a Serious Offer for Joey Porter Jr.
Jerry got his man this time. He couldn’t let a player of this caliber get away.
Joey Porter Jr.’s zone results make this trade worthwhile, and his press-man ability adds another level, and Dallas needs all the help they can get on the defensive side of the ball.
I support this deal if the medicals are good and the cost shows this is a player the Cowboys plan to keep.
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