Raiders Draft Prospect: Linebacker Trotter Jr.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Las Vegas Raiders have a little less than two months to figure out which players in the 2024 NFL Draft fit them best.
The Raiders met with several draft prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine, looking for players they hope can help them win championships.
Las Vegas got great play out of their linebackers last season but could still look to add talent to that position through the draft. While there are likely not any first-round players at inside linebacker, there are talented players the Raiders could find on the second day.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. of Clemson could be one of those players. The son of former NFL linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, Junior arguably is the best linebacker prospect in the draft class.
At of the NFL Scouting Combine, Trotter said he has not yet met with the Raiders yet, but added that he would enjoy the opportunity to join the Silver and Black.
“They’re a great organization,” Trotter said. “It would be a blessing to play for them or any team, honestly. I’m happy for the opportunity to be here, and I see where God blessed me to be able to play for the team that chooses me.”
Trotter finished his Tigers career with 192 total tackles, 29.5 tackles for losses, three forced fumbles, four interceptions, and 13 sacks. He was named First-Team All-ACC and a Second-Team All-American in 2022.
The Las Vegas Raiders could bring in Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to bolster their linebacker room through the 2024 NFL Draft.
Ken Ruinard / staff-USA TODAY NETWORK
Trotter explained to me what he thinks makes him the best linebacker in the draft.
“I have a lot of capability of being a three-down linebacker,” Trotter said. “I have a wide variety of talent in my game and a lot of versatility, but there’s a lot of linebackers in this draft class that I tip my hat off to because they’re great linebackers and great players, guys I also watch and really respect their games.”
Trotter is a bit short for an inside linebacker at 6 feet tall, but weighs 230 pounds, giving him the necessary weight to survive as a blitzer. He thrives getting after the quarterback and has some of the best coverage skills for a linebacker in the class.
Because of his size, he might struggle at the next level to defend the run. He cannot get off blocks consistently enough right now to be a three-down linebacker, as he said he hopes to be.
Trotter is projected to be a second-round selection, so if the Raiders value him as someone they want to take on day two, they could bring him in to bolster their linebacker room.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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