Clemson LB Named Fit for Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals could look to add another defensive piece from Clemson.

Sep 23, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54), / David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

ARIZONA -- While all eyes are on what the Arizona Cardinals will do in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, general manager Monti Ossenfort will have his work cut out for him on the second day of the draft, where the team is projected to have a total of four picks: one in the second round and three third-round selections.

First, the dominoes must fall in round one, where Arizona has two first-round picks and can take a variety of routes to upgrade their football team.

Yet when it comes to Day 2 of the draft, Pro Football Focus believes Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter is a fit out in the desert.

"The Cardinals have several needs on defense, including improving the league’s lowest-graded linebacker group. Clemson’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was arguably college football’s most consistent linebacker over the past two years. While he’s a tad undersized, he’s incredibly savvy and stands out with a 92.1 coverage grade in that span," wrote Dalton Wasserman.

Arizona signed LB Mack Wilson in the offseason and will retain Kyzir White moving into 2024, though the Cardinals have no future investments at the position besides second-year LB Owen Pappoe, who was a Day 3 pick in 2023.

Off-ball linebacker has been somewhat of a sweet spot for Cardinals mock drafts, as our own Richie Bradshaw highlighted the position on Day 2 in his recent seven-round mock. You can read more about his picks here.

More on Trotter from his NFL.com draft profile:

"Inside linebacker who plays with dogged determination and a nose for the football that helps him pack out the stat sheet. Trotter comes from NFL bloodlines and operates with consistency, play strength and a willingness to do the dirty work. He’s quick to diagnose and moves with exceptional body control and footwork to play around bodies and get to the rock. He’s not very big or long, but his football IQ makes it a moot point. He has adequate pursuit speed with good short-area burst and real talent in getting to the quarterback as a blitzer. Trotter can get to the ball with clear eyes and above-average efficiency and has a chance to be a long-time starter in the league." - Lance Zierlein

The 2024 NFL Draft begins on April 25.