In anticipation of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles have a promising prospect on their radar: Jeremiah Trotter Jr. The name may ring a bell for Eagles fans, as the team previously drafted Jeremiah Trotter Sr., a beloved linebacker known as the “Axe-Man,” back in 1998. Trotter Sr. left an indelible mark on the team during his eight-year tenure, accumulating 691 tackles, eight sacks, and a fanbase enamored with his relentless and physical style of play.
Now, the spotlight is on Trotter Jr., who currently plays linebacker for the Clemson Tigers. There is speculation, notably from analyst Luke Easterling of SI.com, that Trotter Jr. could follow in his father’s footsteps in the 2024 draft. Easterling predicts the Eagles selecting Trotter Jr.
52nd overall with a second-round pick acquired from the Saints. Despite the Eagles not heavily investing in linebackers in recent drafts, securing Trotter Jr. could prove to be a strategic move for the team in 2024.
WHAT A PLAY FROM JEREMIAH TROTTER JR. 🤯
LET'S GO TIGERS 🗣️
📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/ZHFq8ydnt7— Clemson Athletics (@ClemsonTigers) November 4, 2023
Trotter Jr. is gaining recognition as one of the top defensive players in college football. Pro Football Focus ranks him as the third-best linebacker prospect, trailing only his teammate Barrett Carter. Trotter recently earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week title after an outstanding performance against Notre Dame, where he tallied 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and a pick-six.
The Eagles currently face challenges in their linebacker lineup. While they added Georgia’s Nakobe Dean in 2022, his impact has been limited, and a Lisfranc injury may sideline him for the season. Zach Cunningham, the team’s second-leading tackler, operates on a one-year deal and was a late addition in training camp.
Despite the Eagles’ historical stability under owner Jeff Lurie and the consistently competitive teams assembled by general manager Howie Roseman, the patchwork approach to the linebacker position is becoming less tenable. Trotter Jr. could offer a valuable solution to this issue, though the anticipation is that the team and its fans will have to wait until April for the draft to unfold.
