Bucs' Anzalone, Trotter Graded Top Coverage LBs in NFL

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive unit has begun to come on, with head coach Todd Bowles' group playing their best football.

In the backend, Zyon McCollum has played at an All-Pro level, while the linebacking core of veteran Alex Anzalone and rookie Josiah Trotter has begun to look effective.

On Wednesday, Pro Football Network (PFN) released their coverage grades among NFL linebackers, with both Trotter and Anzalone represented on the list.

Anzalone, who's 86.9 coverage grade ranks fifth among qualified linebackers, recently earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in the Bucs' 16-0 shutout victory over the Atlanta Falcons, and has recorded three interceptions over the past two weeks.

After helping transform the identity of Dan Campbell's Detroit Lions defense in the NFC North, Anzalone inked a two-year, $17 million contract with Tampa Bay, and was named Bowles' green-dot linebacker.

But, he really struggled to begin the year, and made some uncharacteristic plays for a player with his experience.

This turnaround is coming at a great time, with the Bucs threatening a push for the NFC South crown, and the offense hopefully continuing to get healthier.

Trotter, on the other hand, came out the gates firing, beginning his NFL career with a historic outing.

In Week 1, against the Cincinnati Bengals, Trotter burst onto the professional scene, notching 11 total tackles, a sack, and a pick-six.

This made him the lone player to record double-digit tackles, a pick-six, and a sack in their debut, and put the league on notice.

His 76 tackles lead the Bucs by a wide margin, and he continues to look like a home-run pick from last year's second round.

Just trailing Anzalone, Trotter has posted an 83.2 coverage grade, according to PFN, and will enter the bye week as one of the most-productive rookies in the NFL to this point.

Following the week off, Tampa Bay's defense will be instantly tested by one of the top passing attacks in the league, Anzalone's Lions.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff is having a good year, while keeping the ball out of harms way with only two interceptions.

Takeaways have been the Bucs' defensive calling card this year, but may need to pivot in terms of strategy against Goff.

The Lions are also riding a four-game win streak, and face off with the New England Patriots in Germany during the Bucs' bye week.

The Bucs travel to Detroit to face off with the Lions on Nov. 22 at 1:00 p.m.