Bengals Hosting Top Linebacker Prospect Josiah Trotter for Draft Visit

Missouri's Josiah Trotter, a projected Day 2 pick, will meet with the Bengals as they look to bolster their linebacker corps.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:39pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a linebacker making a tackle, with sharp, overlapping planes in the team colors of the Cincinnati Bengals and Missouri Tigers.A cubist interpretation of a linebacker's impact on the field, reflecting the Bengals' interest in finding a versatile defensive playmaker.Auburn Today

The Cincinnati Bengals are hosting Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter for a pre-draft visit as they continue to evaluate prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Trotter is projected to be a Day 2 selection, likely in the third round, and could be an option for the Bengals as they look to address their linebacker needs.

Why it matters

The Bengals have made it clear they want to improve their linebacker depth and get more players capable of playing on the line of scrimmage, which Trotter excels at. With the team potentially targeting a linebacker early, Trotter's visit suggests he could be in play for Cincinnati in the second or third round.

The details

Trotter is known as a strong blitzer who can knife through traffic and use his heavy hands to defeat blocks at the point of attack. However, there are some concerns about his athleticism, as he did not test at the NFL Combine. At only 20 years old, there could be some early growing pains for Trotter at the professional level.

  • The Bengals are hosting Trotter for a pre-draft visit this week.

The players

Josiah Trotter

A linebacker prospect from the University of Missouri who is projected to be a Day 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Al Golden

The defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, who has expressed a desire to have more versatile linebackers who can play on the line of scrimmage.

Demetrius Knight Jr.

A linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals who has been asked to play on the line of scrimmage more than Golden would prefer.

Sonny Styles

A linebacker prospect from Ohio State who is projected to be drafted before the Bengals' first-round pick at No. 10 overall.

Jake Golday

A linebacker prospect who the Bengals have also met with and could be an option for them in the second or third round.

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What they’re saying

“The Bengals are hosting Mizzou LB Josiah Trotter on a pre-draft visit. Projected Day 2 pick, likely in the third round.”

— Arye Pulli

“We've gotta get better. We've gotta get deeper. Obviously having somebody with a combo presence. I would prefer not to ask Demetrius to play on the line of scrimmage as much as we did.”

— Al Golden, Bengals Defensive Coordinator

What’s next

The Bengals will continue to evaluate Josiah Trotter and other linebacker prospects as they prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft. The team will have to decide if Trotter is the right fit for their needs, or if they should target a different linebacker like Jake Golday or Sonny Styles earlier in the draft.

The takeaway

The Bengals' interest in Josiah Trotter highlights their desire to add more versatile and physical linebackers to their defense. Trotter's skill set as a blitzer and run defender could make him an attractive option, but his athletic limitations will need to be carefully evaluated. The Bengals' linebacker decisions in the draft will be crucial as they look to improve their defensive front seven.