The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2026 season knowing there would be major changes at linebacker following the departure of franchise legend Lavonte David. For over a decade, David served as the heartbeat of Tampa Bay’s defense, but with the veteran now gone, the Buccaneers are entering a new era at the position, and second-round rookie Josiah Trotter Jr. could be one of the biggest pieces of that transition.
Selected in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Trotter arrives in Tampa Bay with plenty of expectations attached to his name. The son of former NFL Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, the rookie built his reputation in college as an instinctive, physical defender who thrives attacking downhill against the run.
At 6’2 and 237 pounds, Trotter fits the mold of the aggressive, tone-setting defenders Todd Bowles has consistently prioritized throughout his defense. His instincts, football IQ, and physicality could allow him to contribute immediately.
With David no longer in the building and the linebacker room undergoing significant turnover over the last two offseasons, Tampa Bay has a legitimate opportunity available for a young player to step into a major role early. Veteran additions such as Christian Rozeboom and Alex Anzalone bring experience, while SirVocea Dennis remains a depth option after battling injuries and inconsistency. Still, the Buccaneers drafted Trotter with the belief that he could become a cornerstone of the defense.
A realistic rookie stat line for Trotter could fall somewhere around 95 to 110 total tackles, six to eight tackles for loss, two to four sacks, and five pass breakups. Those numbers would represent a highly productive rookie season, but the opportunity for that kind of workload exists given Tampa Bay’s current linebacker situation. Bowles’ defense has historically allowed instinctive linebackers to rack up tackles, especially behind a defensive front anchored by Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey. Think Devin White.
Trotter’s strongest impact early on will likely come against the run. His college tape consistently showcased quick recognition skills, physical tackling, and the willingness to take on blocks in traffic, traits that should translate quickly to the NFL level. The biggest question entering his rookie season will likely center on coverage ability. Like many young linebackers entering the league, Trotter will have to adjust to the speed of NFL offenses and the complexity of route combinations designed to attack the middle of the field. Early growing pains would not be surprising, especially in man coverage situations against athletic tight ends and running backs.
Still, Bowles could immediately find ways to maximize his strengths. Trotter profiles as a potentially effective interior blitzer thanks to his timing and downhill explosiveness, and Bowles has never been shy about using linebackers to get after the quarterback. For a defense looking to establish its next generation of leaders, Trotter may get every opportunity to prove he can become one of them sooner rather than later.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: What could Josiah Trotter produce for the Bucs as a rookie?
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
