I like Trotter, had all my fingers & toes crossed for Rodriquez, but I would have settled for CJ Allen over Trotter. Saw a game where Allen was putting guys in position pre-snap at UGA, which indicated he was dialed-in and trusted to make those calls by his coaches. I thought that would have meant something.Allen is the superior prospect. It's that simple.
Rodriguez was gone. Allen was there. We reached... He might not have been there with our third round pick but it's still a reach.
Maybe Trotter will surprise, OBP clearly had him graded evenly/slightly above Allen on their board.
We’ll get to see if their improvement in drafting ILB’s is as lucky improved as their newfound ability to draft Edge’s.
It's not that I think Trotter sucks. I think he can be impactful on early downs. Hell he might develop coverage skills (unlike White or Dennis).
But David came out of college from Nebraska having NFL ready coverage skills AND he could play downhill.
That's what a second round LB should be able to do with somewhat limited athleticism.
Trotter isn't as athletic as White but it doesn't take a genius to know he'll adapt better than White because literally a gold fish could adapt better than White. Maybe that's all White, maybe some of that is Bowles IDK.
What I do know is the draft is about maximizing your capital.
I don't have issue with us saying Trotter is our guy. I simply have issue with where we drafted him vs what was available.
I'll root for him to succeed.
And the direct comparison to the Devin White role in the Super Boel defense
"In 2020, when White earned a second-team All Pro honors during the franchise’s most recent Super Bowl run, the Bucs led the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (80.6) and yards allowed per rush (3.6). They finished tied for second in tackles for loss (91), tied for fourth in sacks (48), and tied for fifth in takeaways (25). White personally put up 140 tackles, nine sacks and 15 tackles for loss. He was far from a good, or even consistent coverage player. It was a known limitation throughout his Tampa Bay tenure. But that type of linebacker play unlocked the rest of the front."
The Bucs (Biehl) confirming the White parallel
" [blitzing is] a big part of his game, too,” Biehl said of Trotter. “He understands how to rush the passer and he can go through running backs’ faces if he chooses to or he can make them miss.
“That’s going to be a plus for Todd [Bowles] on third downs. You guys have seen the way that he uses our inside linebackers when Devin [White] was here and I would anticipate Josiah having a lot of production in that phase
So the thing with Trotter is that this team spent a 2nd round pick on a ILB that looks like they will be red shirting this year which has people justifiable irked because of what happened with Trask. That is a pretty big gamble by Licht and Bowles because the Bucs were super quiet and conservative in free agency this off season so far. And they need all hands on deck to win in 2026 to shake the stench of the 2025 collapse.
Rozeboom and Anzalone have too much experience to keep one of them or even both of them on the bench. Their experience of avoiding the wash to locate ball carriers, navigating and loop around stunts on blitzes, stack and shedding to make a tackle or even dropping into zone coverage 10-15 yards downfield.
Hurst and Scott are more likely to see more playing time than Trotter so that is something to factor into the equation when you look at value. But the Bucs really like Trotter to the point they are okay with the 20 year old taking a year to soak in before seriously competing for playing time in 2027.
Now, is there a chance that Trotter can push for playing time or start like Beckwith or Kwon Alexander? Sure, but I think it isn't realistic to ask a rookie to beat two seasoned veterans in front of him. Also, Nick Jackson is still around and he isn't going to go quietly either as he can make his mark too along with Dennis who may improve too.
Here's the real problem, fellas...
"Pewter Report has reported that the team had him similarly graded to Rodriguez"
EVEN IF Rodriguez was available, there's no guarantee that he's the pick.
Can't wait for this regime to be out the door.
I always take "reporting" from PR and others like that with a grain of salt. Teams pretty regularly make some grand statements about the guys they actually end of up selecting to act as if he was the guy they wanted all along.
But, it's also hard to argue that these guys know how to evaluate the MLB position. Neither Licht nor Bowles has ever found a good one in Tampa Bay. It's totally concieveable they had Trotter as their MLB1 on draft day - Sonny Styles included.
Hurst and Scott are more likely to see more playing time than Trotter
Barring catastrophic injuries, there is ZERO chance Hurst sees more playing time than Trotter.
Teams pretty regularly make some grand statements about the guys they actually end of up selecting to act as if he was the guy they wanted all along.
I mean, I completely get what you’re saying.
But, considering our HC (and GM for that matter), I’ll quote the great Tony Romo:
”Ehhhhh…I don’t know, Jim”
Teams pretty regularly make some grand statements about the guys they actually end of up selecting to act as if he was the guy they wanted all along.
I mean, I completely get what you’re saying.
But, considering our HC (and GM for that matter), I’ll quote the great Tony Romo:
”Ehhhhh…I don’t know, Jim”
LMAO!
Pick 46 is a very high selection and to draft a 2 down backer is egregious. There is simply no defending this pick unless he turns into a pro bowl level player or above average talent.
Its not even this kids fault either that he will be scapegoated when he gets picked on in the open field. Bowles thinks its 2000 era and teams aren't passing the ball on first and second downs anymore - well the good OCs are. For a "genius DC" he sure doesn't know to draft DL, or backers for shit.
Pick 46 is a very high selection and to draft a 2 down backer is egregious. There is simply no defending this pick unless he turns into a pro bowl level player or above average talent.
Its not even this kids fault either that he will be scapegoated when he gets picked on in the open field. Bowles thinks its 2000 era and teams aren't passing the ball on first and second downs anymore - well the good OCs are. For a "genius DC" he sure doesn't know to draft DL, or backers for shit.
Would have loved him in the third and paired him with Allen or Hill.
When you draft a 2 down LB it can telegraph your play based on personnel. And Bowles can do that plenty well on his own
Absolutely. People take their stuff and put it into AI to make it sound better, and here I don't even need it!No but I'll take it as a complement that you thought that.Trotter will have much expected of him, perhaps unfairly, because of the dire need the Bucs have at that position. What kind of team expects rookies to bail them out? Well, whatever the answer to that is here we are. That's us. Hopefully they can ease him into a starting role over time and not need him to be the savior from Day 1.
The fact that Trotter is the son of a great player who has connections to Bowles could go either way. As with Winfield, the bloodlines could help Trotter to transition to the NFL with professionalism and not be overwhelmed. If he doesn't live up to the high expectations then the criticism will become that he was picked over better options because of the family ties. And if Bowles loses his job and Trotter underperforms he could be headed for a quick exit under a new coach.
OF course I hope he becomes the next Winfield for this team and becomes a team leader. That's what you expect of a 2nd round pick.
Chatgpt write this?
You'll take it as a compliment you sound like AI?
Lmfao
But let me put that statement into AI and see what happens.....
Absolutely. People take their stuff and put it into AI to make it sound better, and here I don't even need it!
Wow! Would you look at that!
I like Trotter, had all my fingers & toes crossed for Rodriquez, but I would have settled for CJ Allen over Trotter. Saw a game where Allen was putting guys in position pre-snap at UGA, which indicated he was dialed-in and trusted to make those calls by his coaches. I thought that would have meant something.Allen is the superior prospect. It's that simple.
Rodriguez was gone. Allen was there. We reached... He might not have been there with our third round pick but it's still a reach.
Maybe Trotter will surprise, OBP clearly had him graded evenly/slightly above Allen on their board.
We’ll get to see if their improvement in drafting ILB’s is as lucky improved as their newfound ability to draft Edge’s.
It's not that I think Trotter sucks. I think he can be impactful on early downs. Hell he might develop coverage skills (unlike White or Dennis).
I don't have issue with us saying Trotter is our guy. I simply have issue with where we drafted him vs what was available.
I'll root for him to succeed.
I agree with this.
Agree @firebowles2026, nothing against Trotter, just thought we could get the coverage backer, first.
Anzalone will do, and improve the play there, but we still need some depth behind him.
Overall adding Bain was an unexpected & fantastic pick, raises the bar in this draft, and I personally love the additions of Ted Hurst, Keion Scott, Capehart, and Schrauth - so overall I’m pleased with this draft.
Not sure what happened with this post, website bugged out.
Absolutely. People take their stuff and put it into AI to make it sound better, and here I don't even need it!No but I'll take it as a complement that you thought that.Trotter will have much expected of him, perhaps unfairly, because of the dire need the Bucs have at that position. What kind of team expects rookies to bail them out? Well, whatever the answer to that is here we are. That's us. Hopefully they can ease him into a starting role over time and not need him to be the savior from Day 1.
The fact that Trotter is the son of a great player who has connections to Bowles could go either way. As with Winfield, the bloodlines could help Trotter to transition to the NFL with professionalism and not be overwhelmed. If he doesn't live up to the high expectations then the criticism will become that he was picked over better options because of the family ties. And if Bowles loses his job and Trotter underperforms he could be headed for a quick exit under a new coach.
OF course I hope he becomes the next Winfield for this team and becomes a team leader. That's what you expect of a 2nd round pick.
Chatgpt write this?
You'll take it as a compliment you sound like AI?
Lmfao
But let me put that statement into AI and see what happens.....
Absolutely. People take their stuff and put it into AI to make it sound better, and here I don't even need it!
Wow! Would you look at that!
Congrats on the career milestone
Agree @firebowles2026, nothing against Trotter, just thought we could get the coverage backer, first.
Anzalone will do, and improve the play there, but we still need some depth behind him.
Overall adding Bain was an unexpected & fantastic pick, raises the bar in this draft, and I personally love the additions of Ted Hurst, Keion Scott, Capehart, and Schrauth - so overall I’m pleased with this draft.
I'll be shocked if Anzalone doesn't miss time. We have no backup plan in coverage.
Trotter is gonna have to learn quick