Ahead of the draft, the Bills have been linked to linebackers as a priority area, with added emphasis on players who can contribute across multiple formations. One name drawing attention from NFL insiders is Josiah Trotter of Missouri, viewed as a high-upside option who could become a long-term contributor in the middle.
Trotter transfers to Missouri brought 84 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, and 2 sacks last season, and he earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2025. His football lineage is strong, as the son of former NFL linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and brother to current NFL linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
NFL draft analysts compare Trotter to established linebackers and project him as a future starter. They note his disruptive tackling and run-stopping instincts, while highlighting coverage as an area needing development to prevent mismatches in pass situations.
Buffalo’s current linebacker need is underscored by free-agent status of veterans like Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson, plus a defensive scheme shift to a 3-4. If Milano and Thompson depart, or even as ongoing depth, the Bills could consider using a first-round pick to bolster the linebacker corps.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane indicated Buffalo plans to continue adding at linebacker, emphasizing that discussions with other teams and free agents are ongoing. The team remains open to options post-draft, particularly if veteran targets require timing and cost adjustments.
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for late April in Pittsburgh, with Buffalo positioned to address linebacker and other defensive needs through multiple selections. As the draft approaches, Trotter’s profile positions him as a potential fit for a Bills defense aiming to bolster its middle containment and rotational depth.
