The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t ready to name their second starting linebacker yet.
Rookie Josiah Trotter is making that decision increasingly difficult for Todd Bowles.
With the season opener just over a week away, Bowles stopped short of naming Trotter the starter alongside Alex Anzalone. Still, the Buccaneers coach admitted the rookie is making “a hell of a case” for the job.
That is a significant development for a rookie who has steadily gained momentum throughout the offseason.
Trotter Is Pushing SirVocea Dennis
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reported Bowles remains unwilling to commit to Trotter over SirVocea Dennis.
“Bowles isn’t ready to commit to rookie Josiah Trotter starting at linebacker over SirVocea Dennis, but he said the rookie from Missouri is making a ‘hell of a case,.”
Trotter’s preseason performance has clearly strengthened his argument. Meanwhile, Dennis has dealt with injuries while trying to secure the starting position.
That gives Trotter an opportunity to seize the job before Week 1.
Dennis Has a Lot to Prove
Dennis entered last season with a chance to establish himself as a legitimate starter.
The former fifth-round pick from Pitt had primarily served as depth and a special teams contributor. He eventually started 16 games and played 910 defensive snaps.
The results, however, left plenty to be desired.
According to PFF, Dennis posted a 49.1 defensive grade. His 30.5 coverage grade was particularly concerning, while he earned a 68.2 run-defense grade.
Dennis also allowed the fourth-most yards in coverage.
That creates an obvious opening for Trotter.
If the rookie can provide stronger run defense while avoiding becoming a major liability in coverage, Tampa Bay could have an upgrade.
Trotter Has Taken Advantage
Trotter entered the NFL with questions about his coverage ability.
His strengths, however, were immediately apparent throughout his college career. NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein praised his downhill ability, run blitzing, and pass-rush instincts.
Zierlein also identified coverage as the biggest concern surrounding Trotter.
“He stacks backfield production with well-timed run blitzes and crafty rush work,” Zierlein wrote. “Coverage is the concern, with spotty zone awareness/spacing and the risk of being mismatched in man.”
Trotter has already started making his case this summer.
He played only 21 preseason snaps but produced an 80.5 PFF grade. His run-defense grade was 77.4, while his coverage grade came in at 67.1.
Those numbers don’t guarantee anything.
They do, however, explain why Bowles is having difficulty dismissing the rookie’s push for the starting job.
Another Major Change for Tampa Bay
Trotter potentially becoming a starter would represent another significant change for Tampa Bay’s defense.
Alex Anzalone is expected to anchor the linebacker group, while Trotter could join him in the starting lineup. That would give the Buccaneers another young player taking on a major defensive role.
The changes extend beyond linebacker, too.
Rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and cornerback Keionte Scott are also competing for opportunities. Veteran defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson could also emerge as a starter.
Tampa Bay’s defense is undergoing a significant transition.
Trotter’s emergence could become one of the most important developments of that transition.
If the rookie continues proving he belongs, the Buccaneers may have little choice but to put him on the field.
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