Bucs Coach Breaks Down Josiah Trotter Pick
May 2nd, 2026
Bucs rookie second-round pick linebacker Josiah Trotter.
A couple of reviews are in on Bucs second-round pick Josiah Trotter, a projected starter at inside linebacker.
One comes from the Tampa Bay head coach.
Todd Bowles hopped on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week, and in addition to detailing Rueben Bain usage and talking about the new Will Gholston, the Bucs defensive chief talked about the attributes of Trotter.
After former Jets linebackers coach and personnel guru Pat Kirwan shared that Trotter was “serious as a heart attack about football” when he interviewed Trotter, Bowles explained that Trotter is much like first-round pick edge rusher Rueben Bain.
“They have the same mindset,” Bowles said of Bain and Trotter. “I mean, Josiah, he’s just like his dad, [former Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter], he’s just like his dad when he played for the Eagles. He is tough. He’s downhill. He is probably more athletic than his father. But he is a very smart football player. He is a heady football player. He is a very physical football player and he’s got the right temperament and built the right way. So we try to get more physical. We got some physical guys coming in the draft that can really help us and mindset wise as well as athletically.”
“… He doesn’t have it all figured out, but he understands what it takes to win and what it takes to train, and what it takes to be good. And then he has that pedigree and he has that mindset, as well. And you can tell it by the way he plays.”
Joe’s got an open mind about Trotter, who turned 21 just two weeks ago. He was an All-SEC player, per the coaches’ vote, though Joe can’t cop to watching Missouri football, remembering Bain playing for West Virginia.
If Trotter needs a year of seasoning, then the Bucs will have to deal with the growing pains — while fans keep an eye on the other inside linebakers drafted after Trotter.
May 2nd, 2026 at 1:35 pm
I don’t think Josiah Trotter will have any growing pains
It depends on the defense he plays in
He attacks the football, had 14 TFL, 14 QB pressures
He need to be put in a position to blitz the QB, attack the ball carrier
That’s what he does best, that’s what he’s built for
I think Todd Bowles runs more aggressive 4-2-5 defense this season
And run less 2-4-5 defense, which is a more passive defense
He has the personnel to shift from 2-4-5, to 4-2-5 without substitution
I trust Jason Licht and Todd Bowles with their draft picks
They have a plan in store for every draft pick
This fanbase can criticize their draft picks
But the fanbase doesn’t know the reasons for drafting each player
That’s why I’m on board with every draft pick
May 2nd, 2026 at 1:42 pm
Let’s see how the kid plays before passing judgement….
May 2nd, 2026 at 1:46 pm
I’m not sure what it is, but it seems that there are many more people (i.e., coaches, players, retired players, Licht, etc) this year going out of their way to “defend” the Bucs’ picks. This is in spite of the fact that the Bucs got consistently high marks on addressing their needs. I don’t remember this level of analysis ever done when the Bucs drafted Chris Braswell or the “bad” Dexter Jackson.
May 2nd, 2026 at 2:08 pm
I watched a video comparing Trotter’s first two years in college ball compared to some guys we wanted (Jrod, Allen, Golday) and for his age and first two years, he was by far the winner stat wise. I just remember watching him at first and thinking how he reminded me of schwesinger, who i pushed for last draft and he won DROY. Im def happy with this pick.
May 2nd, 2026 at 2:10 pm
It seems our picks are scrutinized more because of the dislike for Bowles.
May 2nd, 2026 at 2:23 pm
He led LBs with 27 reps of 225 at the combine….and he doesn’t even shave yet
May 2nd, 2026 at 2:55 pm
Your right on Tampa! Its “Joes criticism Club”
May 2nd, 2026 at 2:58 pm
TampaBayBucFan you are right, people who hate Bowles and/or Licht will be down on any pick. Plus their are so many trolls who just spew hate. Can’t judge a draft pick until a year or so! I want all the draft picks to be successful as means Bucs are gonna be successful. Bowles isn’t great but he is a HECK of a lot better than a LOT of coaches we have had in my 50 years of cheering them on. Oh the PTLD (Post The lost Decade”s” Disorder). Go Bucs!!
May 2nd, 2026 at 3:15 pm
More imbecillin. B-Rex is a generational pick the Bucs lucked into. Scott, love his attitude.
The issue is simple. They will be playing for a dumpster fire who doubles as a train wreck. I like Bowles the person. He has demonstrated over 8 years of futility that he’s terrible when he holds two jobs. His only success was working for Arians so he could focus on his alleged specialty. Some Polly will cite the Super Bowl game against the Chiefs. That was 6 years ago, Arians was head coach, not to mention the Chiefs had two dance moms playing offensive tackle.
But sing your songs, they’re cute.
May 2nd, 2026 at 3:38 pm
Idk about yall, but this draft is just the medicine this buc fans needed after that abysmal ending and the departure of our hofers
May 2nd, 2026 at 4:06 pm
I wonder if they had him rated above Rodriguez? Wouldn’t surprise me if they did. We’ll see who’s right. I’m glad Rodriguez didn’t go in our division.
May 2nd, 2026 at 4:48 pm
What a miserable life you must have Ironlung (3-28). All you do is come here everyday and whine about Todd Bowels. He is here for this season maybe not next year but will find out. I am a Bucs fan not Bowels fan but I don’t root against Bowels just because he is coaching the team. Get a life instead of spewing your hate here every day. I would not doubt you use many names on here curious as to why you feel the need to change your name regularly.
May 2nd, 2026 at 4:58 pm
There is a podcast on YouTube that compares Trotter’s nubers against other ILBs first two years. Trotter is hands down ahead on most categories.
His missed tackle rate is far lower than JRods. If you watch Trotters highlights you see a decisive and confidants tackler who wraps up.
And he isn’t lost in pass coverage either. Think the bad rap he got was due to PFF scores.
May 2nd, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Trotter will be Pro Bowl every year.
May 2nd, 2026 at 5:24 pm
Woodbrain, I don’t cheer against Bowles. Spell his name right btw.
It’s simply too easy to reflect on his losing career, losing results, and pathetic defense when he’s supposed to be the mastermind. The expectations are extremely low, and I’m disappointed Jason didn’t do the right thing. But if by some miracle the Bowles can get to 10 wins and win a playoff game, I’ll be surprised.
Keep living in your pretend world, Woodbrain.
May 2nd, 2026 at 5:43 pm
Say what you want about fans not knowing this or that but many of us fans called for more attitude and aggressiveness from our team the past few years and all the sudden that’s the focus of this draft.
May 2nd, 2026 at 5:44 pm
Aqualung. 3.28. Evans
It’s the same crap just a different name. Miserable SOB
May 2nd, 2026 at 6:39 pm
@3.28: Did you even enjoy the home Super Bowl victory? Or did you complain about the stands being empty. Let me guess,….You probably thought we would have lost if there was crowd noise.
May 2nd, 2026 at 9:22 pm
Bowles wanted a downhill thumper linebackerl to tackle Jim Brown and Larry Czonka and Trotter is that guy. Covering TE’s or RBs isn’t important to Bowles, just ask SVD.
May 2nd, 2026 at 9:24 pm
Please stop you are all killing me
IT IS MORON not the color maroon.
However I agree with the sentiment.
Freaking miserable Human Being.
May 3rd, 2026 at 12:43 am
The vitriol stirred in the Pom Pom squad is heartwarming, and exactly the point of stating the truth. The more inflammation, the more imbecillin.
May 3rd, 2026 at 1:39 pm
The defense will be dramatically improved this year.
Watch and see.
It’s the Jimmys and Joes that have been the problem. Bowles is a master of the Xs and Os. They have been operating on a multi-year plan to improve the team. It takes longer to get corners up to speed than linemen, so they primarily drafted them first.