Buccaneers rookie Josiah Trotter isn’t getting a lot of buzz heading into training camp. However, the talented linebacker could be the key to Tampa Bay’s defense that nobody is talking about.
This Buccaneers Rookie Could Change Everything for the Defense in 2026
Tampa Bay selected Trotter with the No. 46 overall pick in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft.
Trotter earned First-Team All-SEC honors last season at Missouri, posting 84 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and two sacks. He established himself as a strong run defender and pass rusher with the Tigers, generating 14 quarterback pressures and 33 defensive stops at or behind the line of scrimmage.
In 2024, Trotter had a strong freshman season at West Virginia, recording 92 tackles and four tackles for loss.
Both of those productive seasons convinced the Bucs to draft Trotter to fill some big shoes.
— Josiah Trotter (@TrotterJosiah) April 25, 2026
Trotter’s Potential Role for the Bucs in 2026
The elephant in the room throughout Trotter’s career will likely be that he was drafted in the same offseason legendary Bucs linebacker Lavonte David retired.
David spent 14 seasons with Tampa Bay. He finished his career tied with Derrick Brooks for the most tackles in franchise history with 1,714.
It’s very unlikely that the new Buccaneers rookie will put together the career David did. But he might be able to produce a season similar to what David accomplished in 2025.
David recorded 114 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and eight tackles for loss while starting all 17 games in his final NFL season.
Trotter has a lot of similarities to David coming out of college. Both are physical run defenders with a knack for getting to the quarterback as blitzers. Both also tended to struggle in coverage during college.
Tampa Bay brought in linebacker Alex Anzalone in free agency this offseason. He is expected to start and serve as the Bucs’ on-field defensive playcaller.
That leaves one starting spot open, and Trotter will likely battle fourth-year linebacker SirVocea Dennis for the job.
Dennis started 16 games last season after appearing in just 17 games combined during his first two NFL seasons. He finished 2025 with 66 tackles and 10 tackles for loss.
Overall, Dennis struggled in 2025. He finished with a 49.1 Pro Football Focus grade. His biggest issues came in coverage, where he allowed 12.9 yards per completion and a 122.0 passer rating when targeted. Those struggles were a major reason the Bucs allowed the most receiving yards to opposing running backs in the NFL last season.
Dennis’ struggles make the starting linebacker position a legitimate competition heading into 2026.
What Trotter Can Bring to the Bucs Defense
Trotter’s elite run defense fits right in with Todd Bowles’ defensive philosophy.
The Bucs have finished with a top-five rushing defense in six of the eight seasons Bowles has served as the team’s defensive playcaller.
Trotter was one of the SEC’s most prolific run defenders, posting an 89.2 run-defense grade, according to Pro Football Focus. He helped lead the Tigers to the nation’s 13th-ranked rushing defense last season.
His pass-rushing prowess could also provide a potentially huge boost to the Bucs’ defense. Tampa Bay ranked 19th in the NFL in sacks last season despite blitzing the third-most of any team in the league.
Trotter has shown the ability to get to the quarterback when sent on a blitz, posting three sacks, four quarterback hits, and seven quarterback hurries with the Tigers last season.
If Trotter can translate his strong college play to the NFL, he could be poised to start as a rookie. His style of play fits the mold Todd Bowles has favored in the past, and the starting job is wide open. He could change everything for the Bucs defense.
But if the Buccaneers’ rookie wants to earn that starting spot, he’ll have to put together a strong training camp beginning next week.
