Missouri’s bye week has turned the spotlight toward the NFL, and a handful of former Tigers are making plenty of noise early this season.
At the top of the list is the 21-year-old rookie Trotter, who has quickly become one of the most productive young defenders in the league. In five games, he has piled up 52 total tackles, good for a tie for 10th in the NFL, and his tackles per game among players with at least 50 stops ranks third.
The second-round pick also leads Tampa Bay in tackles, just as he did last year at Missouri, and he added both an interception and a sack in Week 1. His impact has shown up in multiple phases too: Trotter ranks 17th out of 72 linebackers in run defense on PFF and 14th out of 50 linebackers in pass rush.
McGuire is also putting together what could become a breakout year. The fourth-year Brown has long been known for his work against the run, but he is showing a more complete game this season with improved pass-rush production.
Through six games, McGuire already has a career-high three sacks. Even with his stuffs on ball carriers down early, his PFF run defense grade of 84.2 ranks fourth among 107 edge defenders, underscoring how effective he remains against the run.
Bolton, one of the most familiar former Tigers in the NFL, is again off to a strong start with the Chiefs. After finishing with 154 tackles in 17 games last season, he already has 48 tackles in just five games in 2026-27.
He has been especially strong versus the run, posting 4.5 stuffs and an 80.2 run defense grade on PFF, which ranks eighth among linebackers. At 26, Bolton looks to be in his prime and is on track to threaten career bests in tackles and stuffs.
Burden is leading the Bears’ receivers in almost every major category. He has 35 receptions, 47 targets and 491 yards, all team highs, while his two touchdowns are tied for the team lead.
The second-year receiver also appears to be heating up at the right moment, matching his career high with eight catches Sunday and posting a career-second-best 130 yards on Thursday. His elusiveness and knack for slipping tackles remain major strengths, and he is already close to last season’s numbers in both receptions and yards.
Membou rounds out the group as a steady force up front for the Jets. In his second NFL season, the 6-foot-4, 332-pound tackle has seen a slight dip in his PFF numbers, but he still earns his place here because of his recent play.
He sits in the middle tier of PFF grades for his position and in the top half in snaps. On Sunday, he played every snap, did not allow a sack or a quarterback hit, and posted a 98.6 pass blocking efficiency grade on PFF.
In Other News...
Mizzou Just Got A Harsh Reminder About Its Closing Stretch
Missouris bye week did not come with any help in the polls. The Tigers slipped three spots to No. 23 in the latest AP Top 25, then dropped two more places to No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, a reminder that even when they are off the field, the teams around them keep moving.
That slide also underscores how unforgiving the final stretch looks from here. Missouri is now the lowest-ranked SEC team in the AP poll and is staring at a run of upcoming games against ranked opponents, which means there is little margin left to protect its standing or build back momentum before the seasons biggest tests arrive. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzou Offense Nears A Big Ahmad Hardy Turning Point
Ahmad Hardy is set to take another step in his recovery this week, with coach Eli Drinkwitz saying the Missouri running back is expected back at practice. Hardy has been working his way back after being shot in May, and the Tigers have handled his absence by leaning on senior tailback Jamal Roberts to carry much of the rushing load.
The next question is when Hardy will actually be cleared to play again, and that call will come from Missouris medical staff. His return would give the offense another option in the backfield at a time when the Tigers have already had to adjust around his absence, making this a notable development even before he gets back into game action. [Read more 🡒]
Missouri Fans Should Watch LSUs Finish More Closely Than Ever
The playoff conversation around LSU has gotten a little louder in recent days, and it is worth Missouri fans keeping an eye on the ripple effect. CBS Sports analyst Danny Kanell floated the idea that the Tigers could work their way into the College Football Playoff picture even with three losses, leaning on a brutal strength of schedule and the kind of late-season momentum that can change how the committee views a team.
That matters because LSU still has several high-profile tests ahead, including Alabama, Texas, Tennessee and Arkansas, and how those games play out could reshape the national race in a hurry. For Missouri, the takeaway is simple enough: if LSU keeps stacking quality results down the stretch, the playoff debate could get messy in a way that affects the whole SEC pecking order. [Read more 🡒]