After picking offensive players with their first two selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Raiders added to the defense at pick No. 68 with Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter.

Get to know the newest member of the Silver and Black's secondary.

Offense to Defense

Despite finishing his collegiate career as a cornerback, Porter originally joined Iowa State as a wide receiver. Porter played wide receiver his first three seasons before switching to cornerback prior to the 2022 season. In 2024, he became a starter and saw action in 12 games, notching a career-high 18 tackles and three interceptions – two of which came in a win against rival Iowa.

Record holder

The 64 career games Porter played in over his six seasons (2019-24) with Iowa State are a school record. After his first season as a starter in 2024, he earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Conference.

While at Iowa State, he saw action primarily on special teams in his early seasons. He blocked a total five kicks over his collegiate career – the most by any player in Big 12 history.

Speed and size

The Raiders are getting a true "Pete Carroll cornerback" in Porter as he has speed, length and physicality – traits that the head coach notably covets in his secondary. Porter, at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in February, which was the third-fastest of any player at the annual event. He also turned in a 36.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-11 broad jump.

"Sixth-year senior with elite traits and special teams talent but only one year of starting experience at cornerback," NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote when examining the CB's traits. "Porter's rep total is heavy on zone coverages but he has the athleticism, burst and speed to handle more man coverage. He has excellent zone awareness with the twitch and ball skills to expand his sphere of influence. "