Bucs Go Less Athleticism But More Instincts With Linebacker Josiah Trotter
April 24th, 2026
Another 21-year-old Buccaneer has joined the rebirth of the Tampa Bay defense, second-round draft pick Jeremiah Trotter, the inside linebacker out of the University of Missouri.
The Bucs had more athletic options on the board in C.J. Allen and Anthony Hill.
Trotter, though, brings a pedigree and comes off a tremendous season in the SEC. He’s the son of former NFL linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and is considered super instinctive and a stud against the run at 6-2, 237 pounds.
Here’s an overview from NFL.com:
Ascending inside linebacker with NFL bloodlines and alpha energy. Trotter’s heavy hands allow him to fit and choke off gaps, but he’s inconsistent in doing so. Block collisions need to be balanced with efficient play-arounds to create more tackle tries. Pursuit speed to the flanks is average, but he is quick to cut and accelerate so he stays close to runs bouncing wide. He stacks backfield production with well-timed run blitzes and crafty rush work. Coverage is the concern, with spotty zone awareness/spacing and the risk of being mismatched in man. Trotter’s wiring and disruptive qualities make him easy to project as a productive, long-time starter in the middle but a defense might need to protect him in coverage.
Well, it’s certainly ok that Trotter needs work in coverage with coverage stud linebacker Alex Anzalone now on the roster.
What Joe loves is that Trotter is a sound tackler. And Bucs fans know too well that Tampa Bay has been a downright sad tackling team the past two seasons.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:13 pm
I do not like this pick at all.
Everyone complains about ILB’s that can’t cover, and the Bucs just drafted a guy who can’t cover. Next year at this time everyone is going to be complaining about Trotter saying he needs to be replaced again when Bowles doesn’t use him properly.
CJ Allen was a plug and play starter.
This makes no sense to me. Hopefully I’m wrong.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:14 pm
Bucs are drafting hammers on defense. Bucs defense was pushed around last season.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:14 pm
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
April 24th, 2026 at 8:14 pm
Exactly what I was thinking Joe……Anzalone in during passing downs and mentor Trot in the mean time.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:14 pm
CJ Mosley was there. WTF
April 24th, 2026 at 8:15 pm
Should’ve taken Allen, or moved up for JRod.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:15 pm
The kid is young….just turned 21 so yes, there he is going to take time to develop his coverage skills.
As far as atheism, did he not run in the 4.49 at the Combine?
April 24th, 2026 at 8:15 pm
coverage instincts I hope…
April 24th, 2026 at 8:15 pm
CJ Allen has issues in coverage too… hence why hes still available. The only coverage LB left is Hill. And guess what, he has issues getting off the block. LBs who can do it all go in the top 20
April 24th, 2026 at 8:17 pm
Just awful reach in round 2. Nobody saw this guy as a second round pick. CJ Allen sitting right there. Great pick in round 1 this was just plain stupid.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:17 pm
I agree with Todd Munch. Not only does this guy not know how to cover, but he is injury prone and has limited experience in college ball. He is not his daddy and CJ Allen would have been the perfect pick, but leave it for the Bucs to have one good pick and the 2nd being a head scratcher.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:17 pm
I wouldn’t worry about his coverage too much. If you know Bowles defenses, that’s what Bains is for… SMH
April 24th, 2026 at 8:19 pm
He is a really good run defender and pass rusher going off the grades. Bad one for coverage though.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:19 pm
Stop quoting AI… he did not run a 4.49, that is fake news. He didn’t do any speed or agility testing at the combine or his pro-day. Anything you read that says otherwise is fake – just go check the NFL combine page directly.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:19 pm
Well, the Bucs are hitting their targets!!
Edge/DE – Bains
LB Trotter
I like both picks
Also, the NFL GM’s must really hink McCoy’s knee is mush
I would have taken McCoy at 46 and gambled there
April 24th, 2026 at 8:20 pm
Oh Bambam brilliant observation.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:20 pm
No wonder the panthers are division champs
This one of the worst off seasons I’ve ever seen reminds me of the Dirk Koetter days
Noah Spence and Veron Hargraves LOL
Joe please don’t hype this team up come Training Camp. We prolly can’t even beat the cowboys
Wake me up when it’s Week One
April 24th, 2026 at 8:21 pm
Dan the Bucs Fan Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 8:17 pm
Just awful reach in round 2. Nobody saw this guy as a second round pick.
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I’m not a fan of this pick, but I saw his going in this range pretty much everywhere. I think he’s going to be a good run stuffer, but Bowles wants LBs who can cover, and he’s not good at that – at least at the moment. He is young, however, so we’ll see how it works out. But I think this is more of a developmental pick, where as Allen was a day 1 starter. Very very puzzling in my opinion.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:22 pm
Geeze sorry I ain’t with it
April 24th, 2026 at 8:22 pm
Well, I am curious to find out if this pick was a Bowles pick or a Licht pick as it seems like the Bucs had other options at LB who were higher on everyone’s drafty board. However, drafting Trotter will hopefully mean that SVD will no longer be a liability on this D as he will either be riding the pine or on another team’s practice squad next season. Kind of sucks that Jacob Rodriguez went off the board to the Fins but hopefully Licht knows what he is doing. Now onto the 3rd round, CB or TE?
April 24th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
Both Sportingnews and CBS Sports gave the Bucs an A grade for the Trotter pick.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
Bucs plan on bringing a nasty physical defense. This will turn out as a good pick, bloodline matters. I remember when we drafted Winfield in the 2nd round and most were pissed but he turned out pretty good. I believe this pick reminds me of that as well. Now trade back in and take the corner from Tennessee who is 1st round talent but had an injury.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
@rod Munch
Do not like this pick at all.
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Do not know the kid very well so Munchsk assessment was very helpful
it must be a great pick and he’s going to be a stud.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
I see the tradition of flushing 2nd round picks down the toilet is alive and well.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:24 pm
WTF …..does Licht go braindead in round 2?
April 24th, 2026 at 8:25 pm
Horrendous pick….smells a LOT like Logan Hall, Noah Spence, Roberto etc
Ground gained in round one is immediately lost in round 2
Reachhhhhhhh of epic proportions
April 24th, 2026 at 8:26 pm
Didn’t the Bucs have the worst inside coverage stats in the league last season?
April 24th, 2026 at 8:26 pm
Jarrett, what have the Panthers done his offseason besides overpay for free agents and lose their #1 RB to the Steelers? Canales’ rah-rah attitude can only get them to 8 or 9 wins with their undersized QB though that might win the division depending on how the Bucs and Saints do. Division is wide open IMHO with the exception of the Falcons who will be in the Arch Manning sweepstakes this time next year.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:26 pm
Unbelievable. Just more of the same failing formula. watch 5 min of tape of Trotter and then watch 5 min of tape of Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (6’4) safety and tell me who the better player is. Wild
April 24th, 2026 at 8:27 pm
MikeBuc Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
@rod Munch
Do not like this pick at all.
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Do not know the kid very well so Munchsk assessment was very helpful
it must be a great pick and he’s going to be a stud.
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I think he would be a good NFL LB for other teams, just not in this scheme where Bowles wants guys who can cover. I think he’s a much better fit as a traditional 4-3 MLB or a traditional 3-4 where the ILB’s are primarily run stuffers.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:28 pm
Also why do we go for injured players in the 2nd round that rarely pan out… last year
April 24th, 2026 at 8:28 pm
None of you know how this kid will turn out. Negative as hell buc fans.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:28 pm
Tackler. That’s it, Joe. I can see Bijan bouncing off CJ Allen, not Trotter.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:28 pm
2nd round? Really?!?! I will eat my hat if this clown is on the team in 3 seasons. Obvious miss when we had so many other fantastic options available
April 24th, 2026 at 8:29 pm
Thumpers and sure tacklers. More beef and less undersized guys is the plan it seems. We filled a need though I was hoping for CJ Allen – but what do I know.
Welcome to Tampa Trotter!
April 24th, 2026 at 8:29 pm
Seems like Britt 2.0
Will make some big hits, but slow and cant cover.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:30 pm
Do not understand why Trotter over Hill Jr. or Allen
April 24th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
Well looking at his stats he is pretty slow, but just watched the film and he definitely gets after the QB. So I agree with others that said he will be used to blitz and stop the run. If Bowles uses him in coverage against a slot receiver he is going to get beat.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:32 pm
Not a fan golday. Hill jr and j allen seem better
April 24th, 2026 at 8:32 pm
Yes don’t get this pick?. Another LB who can’t cover? , really. I guess they want more KJ Britt and Dennis. Plus an inconsistent player?. Yeah a lot of better LB out there. Hope I am wrong but can’t say I like what is said by him. Remember we also have 2 corners who can’t cover. My question who is going to cover this year?
April 24th, 2026 at 8:34 pm
CapeBuc Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 8:28 pm
Tackler. That’s it, Joe. I can see Bijan bouncing off CJ Allen, not Trotter.
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People said the same thing about Britt, and so Bijan would just run around him.
I’m really not that down on Trotter as a player, but the fit just isn’t great. And Trotter is much better than Britt – I’m joking with that comparison, but it’s who I think of when people talk about being a good stuffer while not mentioning the poor pass coverage.
But Trotter is a young guy, hopefully he has just enough speed that they can teach him how to cover – and I do think he’s just barely fast enough.
However skipping on Allen, who is pro-read, and Hill, who has a higher ceiling. I don’t know.
Maybe they come back and get Kyle Louis in the 3rd, I’d love that as I like him the best out of all the guys in the 2nd and 3rd round.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:35 pm
Allen looks way better than Trotter on highlight reels. Bright Licht too busy congratulating himself for Bain falling in his lap. Surprised he didn’t bobble that pick.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:37 pm
Britt was a thumper.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:37 pm
He was a 3rd round pick
Hell at least we didnt trade up…..
April 24th, 2026 at 8:41 pm
Kyle Louis? CJ Allen? OK. I think the dude tore his ACL, too! They really do like the injured players.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:41 pm
It seems to me that JL is trying to prove to everyone that he is the smartest guy in the room. I really hope that’s true.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:43 pm
“Cj Allen is a plug and play starter.” Would someone tell this jag off that CH Allen can’t cover either and HE HASNT EVEN BEEN DRAFTED yet for a reason
April 24th, 2026 at 8:43 pm
Why did we just draft the Dennis clone, this draft has been a disaster alread
April 24th, 2026 at 8:45 pm
Connection: Josiah Trotter mentioned having a long-term acquaintance with Todd Bowles and his family prior to being drafted.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:45 pm
This balanced out the scale after Bain dropped to us. I shudder to think who JL would have drafted.. this Trotter pick is sad, could have taken him in the 3rd and got a better CB with 2nd round pick.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:48 pm
Such negative people man.
Oregon is gonna need eating his hat, because this guy isn’t a scrub or anything. Lol.
I thought it was a round too early but Im confused on not taking Ponds or Jermod and coming back with Kyle Louis in the 3rd.
If they trade for or somehow get McCoy in the 3rd ot would be great.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:48 pm
Actually Lance Zerlien had him as a second round Pick so do t say no one This Kid is 21 just turned 21 Let this kid come in an learn Under Alex Anzalone an Bowles Mile Caldwell like this Kid is a Tackle.machone with Attitude am cam Knock your block off Everyone gets mad at Jason because it’s not the LB they wanted or think is better because they watch a 4 mins highlight clip on YouTube Lol like this Kids Father was an All pro his Brother is in the NFL now like he has a Pedigree an I for one am Pumped he’s on the Bucs Stop hating am Give this kid a chance he hasn’t even Taken a Snap yet an ppl are already writing him off So Silly Come on Y’all Our 2 Biggest needs are Filled this is Amazing
April 24th, 2026 at 8:50 pm
Lavonte David was less athleticism and more instincts as well….
He ran 4.62 40 time at the combine but EXCELLED at diagnosing plays and running in between gaps….
David later learned to be better in coverage in his career…
Trotter sounds very familiar to David..
If his instincts in diagnosing plays is strong, he will look like he’s playing on fire here…..He’s bigger & stronger than LVD as well…
April 24th, 2026 at 8:59 pm
Bucfan1988 Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 8:50 pm
Lavonte David was less athleticism and more instincts as well….
He ran 4.62 40 time at the combine but EXCELLED at diagnosing plays and running in between gaps….
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4.62 was considered fast in 2012 – very few TEs ran under 4.75 or so. Now, go look at the TEs in 2026, almost all of them run in the low 4.6 or faster. Additionally, David played fast on tape, he looked almost like safety out there.
Trotter doesn’t look like that to me, he’s a bit more sluggish – certainly doesn’t have the coverage skills of David, and I don’t think he’s in the same category as David when it comes to diagnosing plays (David is a HOF’er, very very very few LBs are in the same league as David).
Anywho, I’ll be happy to be wrong about Trotter – I’d love to hear great things about him over the summer and see him come out and play right away and look awesome. Not rooting against him at all. I just hope Bowles uses him right and we’re not all complaining about him getting burned in coverage, like everyone did complaining about White, Britt and Dennis playing in that same spot.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:04 pm
Just don’t see it..hill jr can and golday seem more athletic , more upside , better stats, better pass cvrage
April 24th, 2026 at 9:08 pm
You all realized we signed Anzalone to wear the green dot and be the coverage LB? Let this kid blitz and smash on the first two downs. Im glad we picked him. A defense with hustle and attitude will be refreshing for a change. Ill save some screenshots for next year when this kid has 80+ tackles and 5 or 6 sacks. Go Bucs! Welcome Trotter
April 24th, 2026 at 9:31 pm
@Co-Z: I hope you are right.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:38 pm
I knew there was some connection. Sad to see we make picks based on coaches friendships instead of BPA. Bad pick.
-David