Offseason Focus Continues: Violence
April 24th, 2026
New Bucs rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter.
If the Bucs can’t win games this year, it sure seems like they will soften up teams to get beat the following Sunday.
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has made it no secret he wants to build a violent defense this offseason. Translation: The Bucs defense was softer than a week-old kitten last year. At least the Bucs were more honest about this than Dianna Russini.
This Josiah Trotter, their second-round pick, has question marks.
Can he excel in pass coverage? Can he stay healthy? Can he cover? Can his lack of college play be overcome quickly on the NFL level?
This much is known about Trotter, by way of Missouri: Dane Brugler in his draft tome, “The Beast,” says Trotter will hit you.
And you will feel him.
Like his All-Pro linebacker father, Trotter is a hammer looking for a nail. He is quick to key and diagnose versus the run and is a physical filler who can punch his way off blocks and square up as a tackler. However, it is the opposite against the pass, as he displays inconsistent route recognition, which often leaves him out of place and playing catch up. His field-general competitiveness and energy will ingratiate him with pro coaches.
Well, Joe welcomes physical dudes, specifically on defense. And physical dudes, especially linebackers, tend to force turnovers.
Trotter led the Big XII at West Virginia in assists in 2024 with 56. He had 13 tackles for loss in 12 games last year playing for Missouri.
There are some questions here for sure, but at least the guy has heart.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:26 pm
DAWG
April 24th, 2026 at 8:27 pm
We’ve drafted KJ Britt’s replacement.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:29 pm
That’s the way to go
I love what the Bucs are doing
I love their 2 draft picks, and their new additions
I don’t want anymore undersized choir boys on this team
April 24th, 2026 at 8:30 pm
Another MLB who can’t cover??
April 24th, 2026 at 8:30 pm
Licht went against all the schlockers with this one. The supposedly better ILBs were all there. So this was intentional. I trust Licht over the pundits
April 24th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
Having visions of Joe Tryhard Shoyinka, Chris “Shock”em Braswell and Josiah Trotter in a group photo.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
What the actual #%$&
April 24th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
He’s a bum
April 24th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
Maybe…Bowles is planning on playing dime on 3rd and long?
April 24th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
Josiah Trotter is a 1st team SEC Linebacker
6’2 240 lbs, 4 49 speed
How you gonna compare him to KJ Britt
He’s physically fit, hit hard, plays violent, high motor
Welcome to the NEW Tampa Bay Bucs
April 24th, 2026 at 8:33 pm
Trotter could have been had in the 3rd round if not 4th
April 24th, 2026 at 8:33 pm
I mean no disrespect but…maybe some disrespect here…Something is off for you to draft so poorly
April 24th, 2026 at 8:34 pm
Why not just keep our linebacker from last year that couldn’t cover . wtf?
April 24th, 2026 at 8:35 pm
Nice when you get a guy in the 2nd round you could have bagged in the 3rd
At least he didnt trade up so thats good
April 24th, 2026 at 8:37 pm
Violence + inexperience = personal fouls
April 24th, 2026 at 8:38 pm
Lakeland Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
Josiah Trotter is a 1st team SEC Linebacker
6’2 240 lbs, 4 49 speed
How you gonna compare him to KJ Britt
———-
He does not have 4.49 speed – that is fake news. He didn’t run at the combine or at his pro-day, just go to the NFL site and look at the combine results yourself, don’t rely on AI or google search results.
He’s estimated to be more of a 4.65-type of player, which is good enough, it’s not KJ Britt slow.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:40 pm
This is a Todd pick, and he KNOWS his job is on the line. I trust.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:41 pm
Rod Munch
It doesn’t matter what his speed is
He can play football, and he will do good in Tampa
He plays fast, he has 13 TFL last season in 12 games
He will be an excellent addition to this team
I’m excited to have him on this team
April 24th, 2026 at 8:42 pm
I hope he plays like a Globe Trotter and not la Washington General.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:42 pm
Britt was also first team all SEC…
April 24th, 2026 at 8:42 pm
Quite literally a garbage organization now. Heading to be the browns of the NFC. I mean hard to believe that Tom Brady came here and won a Super Bowl with this incompetence. Says a lot about TB that he was able to win despite their blundering.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:43 pm
The guy is 1st team All SEC
And that’s not fake news
April 24th, 2026 at 8:44 pm
josiah trotter 40 times
April 24th, 2026 at 8:44 pm
We drafted him, and he’s a Buc
Welcome to Tampa
April 24th, 2026 at 8:46 pm
I’m more comfortable with Jason Licht, Todd Bowles
And the Bucs scouting department, than someone on the outside looking in
April 24th, 2026 at 8:46 pm
Well my ipad is doing crazy stuff but as I was trying to say draft kings lists his 40 times [Joe has zero idea if any of that is accurate because he did not run at the combine or his Pro Day. And gambling sites aren’t exactly known for accuracy other than spreads, odds, etc. — Joe]
April 24th, 2026 at 8:47 pm
Bucs took eagles pick!! Eagles just traded 2- 3rd picks and 100million for Vikings linebacker, because of JL’s pick.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:49 pm
It DOES matter what his speed is. And his injury history, to an extent. Now to be fair a lot of guys have been injured early on and they grow and never have problems afterward but looking at film I see some guys that have played against a lot better consistent talent than Missou has and that does matter. The intel they have vs us regular folks is night and day and I hope that it is sound.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:50 pm
“ At least the guy has heart” yeah that’s how everyone felt about KK Britt and he played like his feet were stuck on mud. This team drafts players for the most absurd reasons.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:51 pm
Josiah Trotter did 27 reps on the bench press
More than any other linebacker
He’s my kind of player, the guy is a beast
The NEW Tampa Bay Bucs
April 24th, 2026 at 8:52 pm
This would’ve been a fine pick in the 1970’s-80’s when teams would run the ball a majority of the time. Bowles and Licht still haven’t figured out you need these guys to be able to cover, too.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:52 pm
Lakeland Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 8:41 pm
Rod Munch
It doesn’t matter what his speed is
He can play football, and he will do good in Tampa
———–
Well speed does matter, since if he’s too slow to play, he’s too slow to play.
But, again, I don’t think he’s too slow or anything – but he’s not fast.
My issue is 100% based on what Todd wants his LB’s to do, and that is pass cover, and he’s just not very good at it. I do think Trotter will be a good NFL LB, I just don’t know about the fit. If Bowles uses him as a downhill player, then I like it better, but he’s also not an inside rusher like White was.
I just don’t get the fit, that’s my big issue. But lets say everyone gets fired next year, and you got a new coach coming in that runs a 4-3, well Bain and Trotter are both much better fits for that. But could say the same thing about Logan Hall and JTS as well, as both were 4-3 edge guys, not stand up OLBs. Trotter, meanwhile would be a good interior LB for a traditional 4-3 (non Tampa 2 I mean) where he’s mainly there to clean up and get run stuffs.
Anywho, I just hate skipping on other guys who I liked a lot better. Trotter was in fact on my do not draft list because I think he’s such a poor fit, not because I think he’s a bad player.
Maybe Bowles plans on making some changes… then again, we said the same thing the last couple of season as well, so I don’t expect any.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:52 pm
I’m really tired of this team thinking they are slick picking players that they think they see something in that others teams don’t. This is a joke of a draft so far we did more in free agency
April 24th, 2026 at 8:53 pm
wish i knew what went on in that draft room. did they want jrod , did they try to trade up or back ? seems sloppy . hopefully he was their first choice at lb
April 24th, 2026 at 8:53 pm
We need a new GM, HC & QB…. this team is going to H3LL!!!
April 24th, 2026 at 8:55 pm
Trade back into the 2nd round and grab Hill
April 24th, 2026 at 8:56 pm
Lakeland Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 8:46 pm
I’m more comfortable with Jason Licht, Todd Bowles
And the Bucs scouting department, than someone on the outside looking in.
^^^^^^^^
You were comfortable watching KJ Britt and Dennis in coverage the last few years? Are you in denial about how bad they looked in coverage, and Trotter is supposedly poor in coverage?
April 24th, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Head scratcher for sure. Need to be able to cover Bijan Robinson in the flat – Trotter will be useless for that. Big time reach. This is not as hard as we seem to be making it.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:02 pm
Anothny Hill Jr was a Bowles guy I don’t get. Every LB taken since our guy has a better grade and no injury concerns. What are we doing?
April 24th, 2026 at 9:02 pm
Is this the JL metric for second round picks “ at least he has heart”???
Really? So disappointing
April 24th, 2026 at 9:04 pm
Rod Munch
They met with Josiah Trotter at the combine
And he came to Tampa last week on a 30 visit
They already know about his coverage skills
But they said it wasn’t a problem, he will get better
They fell in love with his tackling, he hit hard, and he play violently
They said they wanted more violent players, bigger players
And players that tackle, so he fit the bill
April 24th, 2026 at 9:05 pm
MRWright88 Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Head scratcher for sure. Need to be able to cover Bijan Robinson in the flat – Trotter will be useless for that. Big time reach. This is not as hard as we seem to be making it.
———–
Again, I’m not huge on Trotter, but it’s certainly not a reach. He is a good player and this is the range where he was expected to go. He is a good run defender, but just not a great fit for what Bowles wants his LB’s to do.
However, he is young, so maybe he improves in coverage. He’s got a great bloodline, and I think just enough athletic ability to get the job done.
In any case, if Bowles gets fired, and someone comes in and just wants a traditional MLB, I think he’ll do really well in that role.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:05 pm
Trotter was a shocker for me, huge disappointment.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:06 pm
Brian Baldinger does a nice video of him.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:07 pm
BOOOOOO
CJ ALLEN WAS RIGHT PICK.
LICHT MADE A HUGE MISTAKE HERE.
And with Bain over Mesidor too, I suspect.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:07 pm
Lakeland Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 9:04 pm
Rod Munch
They met with Josiah Trotter at the combine
And he came to Tampa last week on a 30 visit
They already know about his coverage skills
But they said it wasn’t a problem, he will get better
——–
I get all that, but this same team also thought Britt was fast enough and good enough in coverage to make him a starter. I really question their judgement at this position.
Again, I’m not rooting against the guy, I think he is a good player, I don’t think he was overdrafted, I just don’t like the fit.
But I hope you’re right, I hope the Bucs are right.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:09 pm
Joes,
You have to ask Licht how and why they had Trotter higher on their draft board than CJ Allen ASAP…
The fans need an explanation.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:09 pm
Allen and himself I was leery on, because they cannot cover
April 24th, 2026 at 9:10 pm
Trotter fits in perfectly to help maintain Todd’s 28th ranked pass defense. Plus Todd probably knows his daddy.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:12 pm
We coulda got Trotter in the 3rd or 4th Round if we wanted him.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Probably could’ve got him in the 3rd.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:15 pm
have to say checked out his highlights not bad
April 24th, 2026 at 9:16 pm
The Bucs fell in love with his physicality
The made it clear, they want violent, physical guys
April 24th, 2026 at 9:16 pm
One huge downside to drafting Trotter is having to hear incessant babbling about his father, and about “bloodlines”. Jeremiah ain’t playing.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:19 pm
They could have drafted guys with better coverage skills
But they are more interested in his physicality.
And his tackling abilities, they got the guy they wanted
And I’m cool with it
He’s big, strong, young and powerful
And he play violently, relentless, has a high football IQ
April 24th, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Yall crying now wait till he hits you in the mouth. This is exactly what the Bucs need physicality. He wasn’t brought in to cover. That’s what Alex is for and he will show him the ropes but in the mean time he’s going lay some bone crushing hits which is welcomed here.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:21 pm
Also none of yall know how to scout. Leave it up to the pros and just sit back y’all keyboard worries 😂
April 24th, 2026 at 9:21 pm
Listen to what Nick Saban said folks. Trotter can play down hill with recognition and bad intentions. He takes on blocks. Saban said of Hill that he would be a good player if he learned how to take on blocks. That is not the kinda player that you want at OLB.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:25 pm
AI was wrong, Josiah Trotter did not run in either the combine or Missouri’s pro day due to a leg injury.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:27 pm
Let’s see if we take Jermod McCoy if he drops to them, too!
April 24th, 2026 at 9:39 pm
Well if we double up on ILb with Kyle Louis or someone who is great on pass coverage then it may not be terrible
April 24th, 2026 at 9:57 pm
Will this be another 2nd round bust. Buccaneers have a trend of 2nd round busts. and now they are starting a trend of drafting 2nd round 2nd generation players. I find it to Ironic
April 24th, 2026 at 10:27 pm
We got anzalone for his coverage skills. Trotter is going to be the thumper.