The Cincinnati Bengals drafted two linebackers last year, and, with the position still not solidified, we shouldn’t be surprised if they draft some more later this month.
According to Arye Pulli, the Bengals are hosting Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter on a pre-Draft visit. He is projected to be drafted on Day 2.
Trotter’s father, Jeremiah Trotter, was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998 and played 11 years. He was elected to the Pro Bowl four times.
Strengths: According to NFL.com, Trotter can get around the edge using either force or finesse. He also has “oily hips” and long strides that allow him to evade blocks. And he can beat blocks with “ferocious strikes”. Lastly, he has a wide array of pass rush tricks.
NFLDraftBuzz.com adds that Trotter is strong on run defense, able to identify if a play is a zone or gap concept before the snap. He is also good at wrapping up tacklers and not giving up yards after contact.
Weaknesses: NFL.com writes that Trotter has an unorthodox build with a high-cut frame. He is also inconsistent in run fits and below average on zone exchanges.
Meanwhile, according to NFLDraftBuzz.com, his arm length is a little short for the position, and he lacks sideline-to-sideline range.
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