The Cowboys made their big trade of the season before October started. Overnight from Sept. 30 into Oct. 1, Dallas sent a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick to Pittsburgh for cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Dallas was 1-2 and its pass defense had been inconsistent. A month later, the numbers say the trade worked.
Who he is
Porter is 26. Pittsburgh drafted him in the second round in 2023. His father, Joey Porter, was a four-time Pro Bowl linebacker for the Steelers and is on the NFL's All-Decade team of the 2000s.
He started this season on the sideline. ESPN reported he was waiting on a contract extension and dealing with a back injury, and extension talks with Pittsburgh fell apart. He can become a free agent after the season, so for now he is a possible one-year addition unless Dallas signs him.
The numbers
Through Week 7, Porter had allowed two catches all season, both against Philadelphia on Oct. 26, for 10 yards total. According to CBS Sports, using TruMedia data, that put him first among 254 defenders with at least 10 targets in completion percentage allowed (18.2%), yards allowed and yards per attempt allowed (0.9).
His games so far:
- Week 4 at Houston (W 34-30): no targets in 19 coverage snaps in his debut.
- Week 5 vs. Tampa Bay: missed the game with a stomach bug.
- Week 6 at Green Bay: five targets, no catches.
- Week 7 at Philadelphia (W 38-21): two catches for 10 yards on six targets.
Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams has 9 tackles for loss this season, and 7 of them have come since Porter arrived, according to CBS Sports.
Banged up, but practicing
Porter hurt his ankle late in Sunday's 33-30 overtime loss to Arizona. He was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, so he looks on track to play at Indianapolis on Sunday.
The question for the front office is the price of keeping him. Dallas already has only four 2027 draft picks, and Porter will want a long-term deal.