Josiah Trotter came to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a high-ceiling inside linebacker prospect who still had some questions about his game.
Much was made about Trotter’s struggles in coverage during the pre-draft process, and some pundits were doubtful he’d ever develop into a true every-down player. Trotter was a downhill thumper at Missouri who could blitz and defend the run with the best of them, but his coverage skills needed serious work.
NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler gave Trotter a third-round grade and ranked him as the draft’s sixth-best linebacker.
“Trotter doesn’t have playmaking awareness in coverage (at least, not yet), but his run instincts and take-on skills are among the best in this draft class,” wrote Brugler.
The Buccaneers weren’t scared off. Trotter is only 21 years old after all, and he’s far from a finished product. The team had faith he'd be able to grow in coverage. After his NFL debut, it’s safe to say Trotter has already started to silence those concerns.
Josiah Trotter wasted no time proving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers right
Trotter made NFL history in his first game, becoming the first player ever to record both a sack and pick-six in his debut. He also led the team in tackles and was easily the Bucs’ most impactful defender of the day.
In addition to his interception, Trotter also added a pass defended, showing some promising coverage ability in his first NFL action. He played 91% of Tampa Bay’s defensive snaps, suggesting the Buccaneers already view him as an every-down player.
Pro Football Focus gave Trotter an 85.6 coverage grade, which ranked first among all rookie linebackers. In a draft class that includes players like Sonny Styles and Jacob Rodriguez, who were considered more pro-ready than Trotter by a wide margin, being able to emerge as the most impactful rookie linebacker in Week 1 is an encouraging sign.
He looked like the best player on the field for Tampa Bay’s defense, and apparently that isn’t much of a surprise inside the building. Rondé Barber reported in the offseason that his sources within the organization were gushing over Trotter and they even believed he could be the best player on defense as a rookie.
It’s only been one game, but Trotter is living up to the hype.
This is only the beginning for Trotter, and if he blossoms into an every-down linebacker who can lead the team in tackles, get home blitzes, and make plays in coverage, the Buccaneers may have found a cornerstone player and the next great linebacker in franchise history.
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