The Indianapolis Colts could have a "dream fit" available to them on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Indianapolis Colts entered the offseason with a need to retool their defensive front seven, especially the linebacker corps.
In 2025, the team made almost no notable moves at the position in the offseason despite switching to a new defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo. Top linebacker Zaire Franklin regressed from his former Pro Bowl form, and seemingly every linebacker the Colts tried to pair with him failed to catch on until they lucked into signing Germaine Pratt in October.
The Colts have since traded Franklin to the Green Bay Packers, and Pratt is a free agent. They recently signed Akeem Davis-Gaither, which is a fine, necessary move. However, despite likely being a starter in 2026, he is also a replacement-level player.
The Colts essentially gutted the house, but have yet to begin rebuilding. That's likely where the 2026 NFL Draft comes into play next month.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard has been a savant at identifying linebacker talent in the draft outside of Round 1. Since joining the Colts in 2017, Ballard has found Anthony Walker Jr., Shaquille Leonard, Franklin, Bobby Okereke, E.J. Speed, and Jaylon Carlies all outside of Round 1, and all started multiple games for the Colts.
Now, another big-time linebacker find could be around the corner.
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller has identified Missouri's Josiah Trotter as "a dream fit" in Anarumo's defense.
"He has risen up boards since declaring for the draft, (which) has given more time to review his tape," Miller wrote. "Trotter is a big-time hitter between the tackles and has great closing speed when working downhill. He could be a dream fit in coordinator Lou Anarumo's scheme."
Trotter (6'2", 237) is still a young player at 20 years old (21 in April), but he's already plenty experienced, having played 1,144 defensive snaps and 130 on special teams in 24 games for West Virginia (2024) and Missouri (2025).
In those two years, Trotter has totaled 176 tackles (17 for loss), 2.5 sacks, one interception, and three pass breakups.
He's an aggressive, yet instinctive inside linebacker with toughness and hitting ability in the run game. He's still a work in progress in coverage, but he has shown the necessary tools and athleticism to make it not a detriment.
Trotter has also been around the NFL for most of his life and has been taught what it takes to succeed, as his father, Jeremiah Trotter, was a 12-year NFL vet and four-time Pro Bowler for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Josiah's brother, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., is also in the NFL with the Eagles.
With the Colts needing specifically a MIKE linebacker to replace Franklin in the starting lineup, Trotter could be exactly what their defense needs.