Raiders Draft 2024: Jeremiah Trotter Jr. isn’t flashy, but effective

Clemson linebacker can develop and be a long-time starter in the middle

The namesake and NFL pedigree is what folk will often immediately recognize with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. As the son of a Jeremiah Trotter Sr. — who carved out a successful 11-year career that landed him two all-pro honors and four Pro Bowl trips — it comes with the territory.

The younger Trotter may not be the most athletic or possess ideal physical measurements like wingspan and the flashiest defender, but he’s a fundamentally sound linebacker — just like his father. And that’s where the Clemson linebacker stands out.

Plopped in the middle of Clemson’s 4-2-5 base scheme as the Mike linebacker, Trotter Jr. was an asset against the run and pass showing diagnostic skills, closing speed, strength, and power as a tackler and cover linebacker.

Tale of the Tape: Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

• School: Clemson
• Position: Linebacker
• Height: 6-feet
• Weight: 228 pounds
• 2023 Stats: 88 total tackles (50 solo), 15 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles
• Career Stats: 192 total tackles (113 solo), 29.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 4 interceptions, 10 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles

With an NFL-ready frame at 6-feet and 228 pounds, Trotter profiles as a defender that can be effective in the Las Vegas Raiders scheme under Patrick Graham. The defensive coordinator’s shift to more zone concepts suit Trotter’s read-and-react skills where he can see plays in front of him and actively seek out the ball. Hence why he lived in the backfield and racked up tackles for loss like nobody’s business. He does a good job of reading the quarterback’s eyes and making plays on the ball by slithering in front of pass catchers for interceptions and pass deflections. This is an important trait that current Raiders middle linebacker Robert Spillane and the 2023 offseason free-agent addition was an impact defender in his initial season in Silver & Black.

Trotter also has the ill intent mentality head coach Antonio Pierce is so keen of as Trotter is a thumping-type who packs a wallop as a tackler. His power goes through who he’s tackling and his finishes to the ground with a strong grip and wrap up. Trotter’s football IQ is high as he’s able to instinctively stymie running plays by beating blockers to a spot and is an active run-chase-hit defender that can go from one sideline to the other. He willingly takes on blockers and does so with authority and confidence.

Trotter is also a capable blitzer using his savvy, closing speed, and power in combination to side step or push back blockers en route to the quarterback.

All those traits and abilities would prove to be fruitful in Graham’s Raiders defense.

Trotter does have areas of opportunity — like every prospect. While he does have sideline-to-sideline range, his top-end speed is a question mark. This comes into play more if/when Trotter is asked to play man or match coverage. A shifty running back or fluid tight end can get the best of the linebacker due to lack of speed. Trotter also struggles with agility and ability to change direction quickly. He can also over pursue a play or miss tackles due to his inability to slow or stop on a dime. At full speed, Trotter is like a fully loaded semi truck that needs space to stop.

Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

At the pro level, struggling to matchup in man coverage or over pursuing can be detrimental to a defense as a whole, especially one like the Raiders’ defense that plays well when defenders swarm to the football or ballcarrier. Another area of opportunity is Trotter not fighting through traffic and getting washed out on a play. Today’s NFL linebackers tend to be a similar build to Trotter, however, blockers are both big as they are fast and that isn’t ideal in a pro game where size and speed can make a difference in making a play or not. Trotter’s limitations against NFL players is a definite area of concern.

Yet, even with those areas of opportunity, Trotter remains a fundamentally sound linebacker who can become a long-time starter in the league. Projected to be a third- or fourth-round prospect, Trotter Jr. profiles to go in similar round as his father who went in the third round to the Philadelphia Eagles. With the younger Trotter being a well-honed and focused prospect, he can assimilate and learn quickly. And he has the mental and physical toughness to play through nagging injuries.

Las Vegas needs more depth at linebacker that can turn into a starter — especially with starters Spillane and Divine Deablo slated to hit unrestricted free agency next offseason unless extensions or new contracts can be reached before then.

Already well-versed in the nickel 4-2-5 formation and a reliable tackler and capable cover linebacker, Trotter is a worthwhile prospect for the Raiders. While he may not possess the speed Spillane and Deablo have, he’s a high IQ read-and-react defender that can flourish in Graham’s defense.