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IDP Rookie Profile: Josiah Trotter in Redraft Leagues
IDP Rookie Profile: Josiah Trotter in Redraft Leagues
We are diving into some fantasy football content this offseason as we look to bring in all sorts of football fans to Bucs Wire. While offensive players often dominate fantasy football discussions, IDP leagues continue to grow in popularity, offering another way for fans to enjoy the game.
We will start with some rookie profiles and how they fit into the landscape of the teams that drafted them. Next up is Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Josiah Trotter.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTrotter arrives in Tampa Bay after productive stops at West Virginia and Missouri. His best season came in 2024, when he recorded 66 tackles while earning an 84.1 tackling grade from PFF. He followed that with another strong campaign in 2025, posting 58 tackles, three sacks, four forced incompletions and an outstanding 89.2 run defense grade. His downhill mentality and physical run defense helped make him one of the better inside linebackers in the 2026 draft class.
Defensive Players Around Him
Rueben Bain Jr.
Projections provided by Mase Riney of Fantasy In Frames.
7 Tackles For Loss
2.5 Sacks
Reason to Believe in Josiah Trotter in 2026: Opportunity and scheme fit
Trotter enters one of the better situations among rookie linebackers. Tampa Bay currently lists him as the starting left inside linebacker, giving him a legitimate opportunity to carve out an immediate defensive role next to veteran Alex Anzalone.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis game is built for life between the tackles. Trotter diagnoses run concepts quickly, attacks downhill without hesitation, and consistently stacks and sheds blockers with heavy hands. He plays with the physical mentality Todd Bowles covets from his inside linebackers and has already shown the ability to contribute as a blitzer on designed pressures.
The Buccaneers' defensive front should only make life easier. Vita Vea continues to command double teams, Calijah Kancey creates interior disruption, while Yaya Diaby and first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. threaten offenses from the edge. That group should help keep Trotter clean and allow him to attack the football instead of constantly working through traffic.
Trotter projects as one of the safer rookie linebacker options in redraft IDP leagues because of his expected role. His run defense and tackling ability should give him a reliable weekly floor, particularly if he holds onto an every-down workload throughout the season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe biggest concern remains coverage. Trotter struggled matching athletic tight ends and running backs in college, and opposing offenses will undoubtedly test him early. If those issues carry over, Tampa Bay could limit his passing-down snaps at times.
Even with that concern, the overall outlook is encouraging. Trotter fits the Buccaneers' defensive identity, has a clear path to meaningful playing time, and should produce enough tackles to become a quality LB3 with upside for more if he earns a full-time role as a rookie.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: IDP Rookie Profile: Josiah Trotter in Redraft Leagues