Josiah Trotter Scouting Report

Josiah Trotter is an intense, physical downhill linebacker who plays sideline to sideline in the run game with the upside to be an impactful player rushing the quarterback.

Draft Grade: Round 2 - Winning Starter

Strengths:

High Motor/Violent Temperament: Trotter is a sideline-to-sideline pursuit player with good closing speed. He is willing to chase down ball carriers all over the field to make a play. Upon arrival, Trotter possesses the mentality of a violent tackler, consistently aiming to make tone-setting stops. He has solid tackling power and can knock ball carriers back in one-on-one situations; in the box, Trotter is capable of stopping runners on impact and stalemating them at the point of attack.

Instincts/IQ: As a run defender, Trotter demonstrates elevated knowledge and a high football IQ. He can quickly trigger downhill by reading the play design, often making big-time tackles at or near the line of scrimmage. Trotter effectively navigates traffic, showing the ability to work over the top or underneath blocks. He can also "shock and shed" offensive linemen quickly to free himself and make a play on the ball.

Blitzing/Pass-Rush Upside: On passing downs, Trotter can be impactful when attacking the quarterback. From the second level, he shows the explosiveness to blitz edges or gaps and disrupt the pocket. Throughout his career, Trotter has flashed effective hand counters to win pass-rush reps. There is significant room for him to continue growing as a pass rusher, providing even more value as a versatile defensive chess piece.

Concerns:

Pass Coverage: Trotter may present a mismatch issue when matched up against elite slot receivers, athletic tight ends, or dynamic backs. He is a high-cut athlete who, at times, must take an extra step to redirect, which can give offensive players the window they need to free themselves. Because of this, Trotter is likely best suited for zone-drop responsibilities, where he can use his elite instincts to read the quarterback’s eyes rather than being isolated in man-to-man coverage.

Size: Despite his high-level instincts, Trotter’s physical profile as an ILB presents some concerns. Weighing in at 228 lbs (measured at the 2024 NFL Combine) and standing 6'0", he lacks the ideal bulk and length of a traditional thumper. At times, he has struggled to consistently shed blocks against larger, more powerful offensive linemen; once they engage his frame, he can be engulfed, making it difficult for him to finish plays on the ball carrier.