Josiah Trotter earns top-5 rookie grade week 1

Josiah Trotter Jr. entered the NFL season with high expectations after starting in the Buccaneers' defense. In just one game, Week 1, he solidified his position among the league's best-performing rookies. According to PFF, Trotter holds the fifth-highest defensive grade among all rookies in Week 1, with a 72.8 grade. Only Anthony Hill Jr., Genesis Smith, Gabe Jacas, and Jaishawn Barham outperformed him.

Trotter played a significant role in the Bucs' 64 defensive snaps, recording 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception returned for a touchdown. He made a crucial defensive play by intercepting a pass intended for Andrei Iosiva and returning it for a touchdown. Trotter's performance made history, as he became the first player since the introduction of sack statistics in 1982 to record both a sack and a pick-six in his NFL debut.

Despite the demanding workload, Trotter demonstrated his value as a starter, proving doubters wrong about his coverage abilities and showcasing his defensive prowess.