Brief

Cowboys trade for Joey Porter Jr. amid league criticism of price

NFL insiders say Dallas may have overpaid for the rookie cornerback, with some teams questioning the value of future picks.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 03 Oct 2026 21:16:24 GMT

Dallas acquired rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from Pittsburgh in a deal that sent a 2027 sixth‑round pick and a 2028 second‑round pick to the Steelers, according to Bleacher Report citing The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones. The trade, announced on Saturday, comes as the Cowboys sit near the bottom of the league in yards allowed and have missed Porter’s first three games due to a back injury.

Jones reported that many around the league believed the Cowboys overpaid, noting that teams do not view Porter as a top‑tier corner. An executive quoted by Jones said the Cowboys were "bidding against themselves" for the player. A general manager told Jones he would value the 2028 second‑rounder as roughly a 2027 third‑round pick.

Porter was not listed with an injury designation ahead of the Week 4 matchup with the Houston Texans. The trade leaves Dallas with an estimated four draft picks in 2027, per Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star‑Telegram. The Steelers reportedly had at least one other suitor, with the Detroit Lions expressing strong interest.

Key facts

Dallas traded a 2027 sixth‑round and a 2028 second‑round pick for Joey Porter Jr. (bleacherreport.com)
Porter missed the first three games of the 2026 season due to a back injury. (bleacherreport.com)
NFL insiders said the Cowboys may have overpaid for Porter. (bleacherreport.com)
Porter was not listed on the Cowboys' injury report before Week 4. (bleacherreport.com)
The trade leaves Dallas with an estimated four 2027 draft picks. (bleacherreport.com)