Planting flags on one prospect from each day of the 2026 NFL Draft

Trotter is not the highest Mizzou defender on my board (that's Zion Young). But Young is generally seen as a fringe first-round prospect, so there isn't as much of a need to plant a flag.

In a deep linebacker class, Trotter's pedigree and consistency stand out. I'd take him over Jacob Rodriguez, Jake Golday, and every linebacker on the consensus board below Georgia's CJ Allen. Much of that comes from his value on early downs. Trotter's processing is an easy strength, and he moves laterally very well.

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When he triggers downhill against the run, he gets to his spot quickly and packs as much of a punch as any defender in this class -- even at 237 pounds. There are questions he'll have to answer in coverage at the next level, but his instincts look the part of his NFL bloodlines, and there's signal in his redshirt sophomore declaration.

Honorable Mention: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

Day 3: Jake Slaughter, iOL, Florida

Slaughter was a personal favorite among the interior linemen I watched this summer. While I no longer feel that he's an easy Day 2 prospect, I'd be happy to take him early on Day 3 as a potential starter.

A three-year starter at center, Slaughter has the athletic chops to pivot to guard if necessary. He'll likely need to take a stride in pass protection to stick -- the grades are more favorable than the tape -- but he's a high-floor lineman who played well against SEC competition. At the top-100 turn, he should return decent value on the interior, especially in a class that isn't particularly deep.

Honorable Mention: Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State

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