Many Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans were hoping for Texas Tech star Jacob Rodriguez to fall into their laps in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but the Miami Dolphins had other plans, trading up to swoop in and snag the best inside linebacker in college football from the 2025 season.
So the Buccaneers decided to add some NFL legacy and a real two down thumper to their weak linebacker core, which became even weaker after Lavonte David's retirement, by landing Missouri Tigers product Josiah Trotter - the son of Philadelphia Eagles legend Jeremiah Trotter and brother of current Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
The Buccaneers are definitely high on Trotter, whom head coach Todd Bowles appears to envision as another star who can add a mean streak to a defense that was quite toothless last season. And Bowles is so high on Trotter that he had a very bold take about his new second round rookie.
Josiah Trotter is the best Trotter yet?
Speaking to the Jim Rome Show, via Joe Bucs Fan, Bowles stated that he thinks the All SEC linebacker could have an even better career than not only his brother but even his dad Jeremiah Trotter Sr.
He added, “We think [Josiah Trotter] is very intelligent. He can run. He’s got size. He’s going to strike you. And he’s a modern day football player and we think he’s very physical. I think from a physical standpoint he’s a lot like [Rueben] Bain.”
Because NFL teams are more obessed with certain metrics and the passing game, Josiah Trotter likely went highly undervalued in the pre draft process, meaning he could be one of the best true value picks in the NFL Draft for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in the sense that someone like Rueben Bain Jr. is an obvious "value pick" in terms of talent and draft status but Trotter is praised less because even the draft gurus aren't valuing him appropriately (due to concerns in the passing game).
Bowles loves how intelligent and physical Trotter is, and those are the things he wants the Buccaneers defense to get better at traits wise. Putting up against his dad is high praise indeed, because Jeremiah Trotter Sr. was a four time Pro Bowler and former First Team All Pro who landed himself in the Eagles Hall of Fame. But then again, as a second round pick, Josiah has gone a full round ahead of Jeremiah Sr. and a couple of rounds ahead of Jeremiah Jr.
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