The Buccaneers did not use their second-round pick on Josiah Trotter expecting him to simply blend into the defense.
Tampa Bay selected the Missouri linebacker 46th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Since arriving in Tampa, Trotter has shown confidence that he can handle the demands ahead.
That confidence should come as no surprise considering the football environment that shaped him. Trotter’s father, Jeremiah Trotter, was an All-Pro linebacker and Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer.
His older brother, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., followed the same path into the NFL. He became a fifth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft and is now a Super Bowl champion.
Josiah has now become the highest-drafted member of the family. He gets his opportunity to build on that legacy while wearing a Buccaneers uniform.
Trotter Is Already Making His Presence Felt
Trotter earned first-team All-SEC honors before Tampa Bay made him the 46th selection. The Buccaneers valued his downhill intensity and relentless motor.
Those traits have already helped him establish himself at the AdventHealth Training Center. Coaches and teammates have quickly developed trust in the rookie.
Trotter started alongside Alex Anzalone during Tampa Bay’s second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He looked comfortable handling his responsibilities despite being the youngest player on the roster.
Trotter believes his family helped prepare him for the transition to professional football.
“I feel like the game has been slowing down pretty [quickly],” Trotter stated. “Football is football at the end of the day, especially when you have a brother and a dad that played, so [I am] just blessed to have them. It’s just the detailed things, trying to be very detailed in your work. I feel like that’s the biggest thing in the NFL that I’ve seen. It’s just the little things between making a play and not making a play, little things like that.”
The Rookie Isn’t Afraid to Speak Up
Trotter may be young, but he does not believe that should prevent him from having a voice. Playing middle linebacker requires communication and confidence.
“Everyone knows their role,” Trotter said. “Even as a rookie, I still feel like I have a voice. I’m going to speak up if I need to speak up. You’ve got to make calls, be a middle linebacker. So, you’ve got to have something to you. You’ve got to say it and mean it.”
That mentality will be important as Trotter continues adjusting to the NFL. He also understands that development requires learning from players with more experience.
Anzalone has provided Trotter with another valuable resource. The veteran has given the rookie someone he can lean on while learning the position.
“It’s a great blessing to have a guy like Alex,” Trotter stated. “A guy that has been a vet to other guys from when he was at Detroit or the Saints. To be able to talk to him, have him help me, coach me up, see things from a different perspective or when we’re out there talking back and forth. I enjoy having him out there, being able to learn from him, ask questions and continue to grow.”
Trotter Wants to Prove He Can Do It All
One of the biggest questions surrounding Trotter entering the NFL involved his coverage ability. He was not asked to handle extensive coverage responsibilities at Missouri.
Trotter got an opportunity to address those concerns during Tampa Bay’s joint practice with Jacksonville. He intercepted Trevor Lawrence in man-to-man coverage during a 7-on-7 drill.
The rookie believes he can contribute in every phase of the defense. He is not interested in allowing outside opinions to define his game.
“Coming in, I know there’s outside noise,” Trotter said. “People saying [what] I could or could not [do], but I knew what I could do. I knew what God put inside of me. I wanted to come out here and show that I could not only just cover, I could blitz, pass rush and be everything that the Bucs need me to be for this organization.”
“If there were five downs, I wish I could be on the field for five downs. Ultimately, I’m just trying to show the organization what I can do to be able to stay on the field.”
Trotter’s opportunity is here, and he clearly understands what comes with it. The Buccaneers expect plenty from their second-round investment.
So far, the rookie appears eager to prove he belongs. And it appears he does. It runs on the family.
Thanks to Gabriel Kahaian of Buccaneers.com for the quotes and concepts.
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