This Dallas Cowboys' defense is hurting, both literally and figuratively.
After Sunday's loss in Rio, they are now without three of their top four safeties and two of their top three cornerbacks. DaRon Bland and Caleb Downs are the only healthy players in the secondary who started in Week 1.
Even if Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel Jr. had not gotten hurt, the Cowboys likely would have been in the mix for Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who's seeking a new contract and has not suited up this season. Pittsburgh is reportedly willing to listen to offers for Porter, and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported over the weekend that Dallas has "begun making inquiries" for the standout DB.
To avoid tampering, Jerry Jones did not mention Porter by name on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday, but he affirmed that there are "conversations going on" right now to upgrade the roster. The front office may have multiple players in mind, but it's easy to trace the dots back to Porter.
Porter would be an upgrade, a significant one at that, but he is not a fit in Christian Parker's zone-dominated system.
The Cowboys should not trade for Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr.
Porter is a really good player, but he specializes in man coverage. He's your old-school cornerback who excels at pinning a receiver against the sideline, reading hip movements, and using his length to disrupt routes both at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point. He wants to get his hands on receivers, dictate where they can go, and stay glued to their hip.
The 26-year-old works best isolated on an island. This is not a knock on his game, but he's better when the assignment is simple: eliminate the WR across from him.
Porter's performance declines significantly in zone coverage. He's not as comfortable playing with more cushion and having his eyes on the QB while processing multiple routes developing around him.
Currently, the Cowboys are playing zone 72 percent of the time, per Sharp Football Analysis. They are playing man 20.2 percent of the time. That's too big a discrepancy and might explain why the Steelers could be having trouble finding a partner at the price they want.
And it's precisely why Dallas shouldn't chase name value here. Porter is borderline great in man coverage, but the fit just isn't strong enough to warrant the compensation required to trade for and give him a contract.
Think about it. Say Porter costs a second-round pick and wants $30 million per year, or thereabouts. The Cowboys are already light on draft picks next year following the trades for Quinnen Williams, Rashan Gary, George Pickens, and Broderick Jones. Dallas only owns five 2027 picks:
- First-round pick
- First-round pick (via Green Bay)
- Second-round pick
- Fourth-round pick (via Pittsburgh)
- Sixth-round pick
- Seventh-round pick
The better of the two firsts belongs to the Jets by way of the Quinnen Williams trade. The Cowboys only have one 2027 first-round pick.
Joey Porter Jr. does not fit Christian Parker's system
Giving up a second would really deplete their resources, and the first three games have proven that this defense needs more help. Those resources should be spent on players who fit Christian Parker's scheme. That's not Joey Porter Jr.
Parker's stint as defensive coordinator hasn't gotten off to a great start, but his fingerprints are all over why fans are optimistic. In his first draft, Dallas landed Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, and Jaishawn Barham.
Downs and Barham have already shown star potential, while Lawrence has flashed serious pass-rushing upside in limited opportunities. In one draft, Parker secured his nickel and MIKE linebacker, which were two of the defense's biggest holes after the 2025 season.
Parker's vision is going to take time to come together. He's learning on the job as a first-time play-caller, but he also needs better players who fit his vision.
If Jerry and Stephen Jones truly believe Parker can get the defense turned around (why hire him in the first place if that weren't the case), the worst thing they can do is flex their muscles and trade for Porter just because he's better than the team's current assortment of corners.
Porter's situational awareness and route recognition just aren't a fit. Don't saddle Parker with a player he'd have to shoehorn into his system.
He wouldn't be the upgrade you think.
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