The Buccaneers spent plenty of this offseason reshaping their defense, and one of the most important additions came early in the 2026 NFL Draft when they used the No. 46 overall pick on Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter.
Through the preseason, Trotter has already been talked up as someone who could make an immediate impact in Todd Bowles’ system. That praise hasn’t just come from the staff, either. Multiple players around the team have been quick to point out what he brings.
On Friday, Trotter gave his own read on where he stands, saying he feels both “confident” and “comfortable” in Bowles’ defense. He said he’s worked to understand what’s required of him, including how to play fast while still being aware of the personnel around him.
That kind of comfort fits the profile he brought to Tampa Bay. In his final season at Missouri, Trotter piled up 84 tackles and added 13 tackles for loss and two sacks on his way to first-team All-SEC honors.
His college path also included a stop at West Virginia, where he redshirted as a freshman after a season-ending leg injury. The next year, he made a real name for himself, earning Freshman All-American recognition along with Big 12 Conference Defensive Newcomer of the Year and Honorable Mention All-Big 12.
Trotter said he can already feel the jump from college to the NFL, especially when it comes to game speed. Still, Bowles has pointed to his intelligence as one of the traits that should help him make the transition.
That football IQ may not come as a surprise. Trotter is the son of Jeremiah Trotter, a four-time Pro Bowler who spent 11 seasons in the league.
At 6-foot-2, the Philadelphia native brings a disruptive mix of power and finesse as a pass rusher, using quick hands to work through blockers and get into the backfield. He also graded well against the run, earning an 89.2 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus.
He’s already viewed as a solid zone defender, though there’s still room to grow in man coverage. As Caldwell put it: "When you understand the talent that he has, the ceiling is high," Caldwell said. "There is no ceiling for him right now."
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