Story by
Bucs Rookie Named Biggest Offseason Addition Through Seven Weeks
- Story by
- Bucs Rookie Named Biggest Offseason Addition Through Seven Weeks
(IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Connect)
Coming off a very strong performance against the Carolina Panthers , the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have found themselves back in the NFC South hunt.
Head coach Todd Bowles has his defense humming, while starting quarterback Baker Mayfield is getting healthier each week.
Advertisement
On Tuesday, ESPN's NFL Nation released their updated power rankings and each team's biggest offseason addition, with rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter being pegged for Tampa Bay.
"Trotter has produced a 42.5% run stop win rate -- the highest on the team and 10th best of any position in the league," ESPN's Jenna Laine wrote. "The second-round pick's 9.5 tackles per game is the ninth most in the league, too. His 17.2% tackle percentage is fourth highest in the league."
It didn't take long for Trotter to make a name for himself, posting one of the best defensive NFL debuts ever.
Against the Cincinnati Bengals , Trotter became the first player in NFL history to record 10 or more tackles, a sack, and a pick-six in his debut, nearly leading the Bucs to a victory despite multiple offensive turnovers and poor field position.
Advertisement
Since that time, Trotter has recorded ten or more tackles in three more appearances, including a ten-tackle performance against the Panthers on Sunday.
Trotter and the Bucs' defense terrorized Bryce Young, forcing him into multiple ill-advised throws and a lost fumble.
The former Missouri standout also recorded his third pass defensed of the season, which has been a surprising strength early in his NFL career.
Trotter made more franchise history against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3, recording nine tackles and 1.5 stuffs at the line of scrimmage after missing the prior week due to injury.
His 34 takedowns through three games set a franchise record, breaking star safety Antoine Winfield Jr.'s mark of 23 in 2020.
Advertisement
Trotter's consistent tackling and coverage in the middle of Bowles' defense has been a huge reason for the unit's overall success, as the Bucs are once again one of the NFL's top defenses, especially against the run.
This stout foundation will be tested this coming Sunday against Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons , who are one of the NFL's top rushing offenses.
Robinson is one of the most dynamic players in the league, currently leading the NFL with 704 rushing yards.
The former No. 8 overall pick has also been dangerous in the receiving game, adding an additional 203 yards through the air.
With the Bucs looking to potentially take the lead in the jumbled NFC South division, limiting Robinson's production will be a key.
