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 2:16 pm
The kid just turned 21.
Barely scratching the surface of his potential 👍🏼
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.