Cowboys Host LB Prospect With Deep Family Ties to Hated Rival

Missouri's Josiah Trotter, son of former Eagles star Jeremiah Trotter, visits Dallas ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:04pm

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The Dallas Cowboys have met with Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter, a prospect with strong family connections to their NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles. Trotter, whose father Jeremiah Trotter was a four-time Pro Bowler for the Eagles, is projected to be a Day 2 selection in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

Why it matters

The Cowboys are looking to bolster their linebacker corps through the draft, and Josiah Trotter's NFL pedigree and physical playing style make him an intriguing option. However, his family ties to the hated Eagles could add an interesting dynamic to the potential selection.

The details

Josiah Trotter, a 6-foot-2, 237-pound linebacker, spent the 2024 season at West Virginia before transferring to Missouri. In his lone season with the Tigers, he recorded 84 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. Trotter's performance has him projected to be a second or third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Cowboys recently hosted Trotter on a pre-draft visit, where they likely evaluated his power, tackling ability, and potential fit in their defensive scheme.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is less than one month away.
  • Josiah Trotter spent the 2024 season at West Virginia before transferring to Missouri in 2025.

The players

Josiah Trotter

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

Jeremiah Trotter

Josiah's father, a former four-time Pro Bowl linebacker who played 8 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys' NFC East rival.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

Josiah's cousin, who was a fifth-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 and has spent the past two seasons with the team.

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What they’re saying

“Ascending inside linebacker with NFL bloodlines and alpha energy. Trotter's heavy hands allow him to fit and choke off gaps, but he's inconsistent in doing so. Block collisions need to be balanced with efficient play-arounds to create more tackle tries. Pursuit speed to the flanks is average, but he is quick to cut and accelerate so he stays close to runs bouncing wide.”

— Lance Zierlein, NFL.com Draft Guru

What’s next

The Cowboys will continue to evaluate Josiah Trotter and other linebacker prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins on April 24th.

The takeaway

The Cowboys' interest in Josiah Trotter, a linebacker with strong family ties to their NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles, highlights the team's efforts to find the right defensive pieces through the draft. Trotter's physical playing style and NFL pedigree make him an intriguing option, but his connection to the hated Eagles could add an interesting dynamic to his potential selection.