The 2026 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Josiah Trotter NFL Draft Profile.
For full rankings, mock drafts and live coverage, visit our NFL Draft hub.
Position: Linebacker
School: Missouri
Size: 6-foot-1 7/8, 237 pounds
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
2025 stats: 84 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass defended
Trotter was a three-star recruit in the class of 2023 who signed with West Virginia out of Pennsylvania. He redshirted in 2023 and missed the entire season with a leg injury. As a starter and Freshman All-American, Trotter posted 92 total tackles, four tackles for loss and one interception. He helped the Mountaineers win six games. Trotter transferred to Missouri for the 2025 season, registering 84 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and two sacks for the Tigers. He led the team to eight wins on the year.
Following the season, Trotter declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a second to third round pick.
Trotter attacks blocks with aggressioin and has the ability to shed. He has a filled out frame and uses that play strength to take on blocks well. Trotter also has good length for the position and uses it to shed. He can fight through blocks or get around them decently well to help him make plays.
He is a great run defender who will be able to provide value right away in that regard. Trotter reads blocking schemes decently well and then flows to the football. He shows good pursuit and then is able to bring ball carriers down. Trotter often makes plays behind the line of scrimmage with his ability to get a good jump on plays and pursue the ball carrier.
His ability to diagnose plays quickly is special. Trotter sees where a play is going to go and then breaks towards the ball carrier against the run. As mentioned, he makes plenty of plays behind the line of scrimmage against the run. He often reads whether the play is a run or pass well and doesn’t get fooled by play action or misdirection too often.
He has just average athleticism for the position. Trotter didn’t test at the NFL Combine and on tape, he makes plays based on strength and physicality. He can struggle to get to gaps and pursue ball carriers to the sideline. Trotter has average at best speed, along with agility and quickness.
Trotter can be a liability in man coverage. He struggles to mirror wide receivers, tight ends and running backs as they make their cuts throughout their routes. Trotter doesn’t have the agility to keep up and gives up separation.
His zone coverage could also use some work. Trotter doesn’t have the range to cover a lot of ground. His eye balance between the quarterback and receivers can also improve. He will have a lot of work to do if he wants to be trusted on passing downs at the next level.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
Draft Grade: Third Round Pick
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