Trotter draws praise for natural linebacker instincts

Second-round pick carries 73.8 run-defense grade

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 56m1 min read

The angles, hands, posture, depths, eyes, zone pass-offs... Josiah Trotter is a natural at LB. This dude gets it. Via @BenFennell_NFL on X

What happened: Ben Fennell cited Josiah Trotter's angles, hands, posture, depths, eyes and zone pass-offs. The second-round pick out of Missouri was selected No. 46 overall in the 2026 draft.

Why it matters: Technique evaluation carries weight for a rookie adjusting to NFL speed at linebacker. Steady fundamentals can support a path to defensive rotation snaps during the regular season.

By the numbers: Trotter holds a 73.8 run-defense grade, behind Jaishawn Barham at 80.6 among rookies.

What to watch: Trotter's snap share in coming weeks will indicate whether early technique reviews translate to a larger role.

Sources

@BenFennell_NFL 2026-10-26T18:11:03.826542+00:00

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