2024 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 3

Week 2 produced the first big injuries at the LB position. What else did we learn about full-time and green dot LBs for 2024?

Injuries abound and there were more surprises when it came to snaps in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season. Good or bad, some usage trends are starting to take shape.

As we look ahead to Week 3, let’s review who wore the dot in Week 2 and which LBs had a full-time role. This article will be updated weekly as information is presented and potential roles change. I'll also point out if a non-LB is wearing the dot.

And if you need a reminder on green dot LBs, here you go:

A defensive player who wears the green dot is the guy who wears the communication helmet and relays the defensive plays from the head coach or defensive coordinator. They are the quarterback of the defense. They need to quickly relay the plays and get the entire defense into position pre and post-snap. In most instances, the linebacker is wearing the dot, but in the past, a defensive back (safety) has worn it. Derwin James is one such player.

OK, let’s get to the update from Week 2.

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*-Injured

Arizona Cardinals

The Rams were a tough watch on offense this week. The Cardinals defense was on the field for just 52 snaps. Kyzir White was on the field for 85% of the snaps and wore the dot and came off the field during the last minutes of the 4th quarter. Mack Wilson is the example when I say snaps matter. Wilson appeared in 39 (62%) snaps last week and recorded 9 tackles. This week, he faced what ended up being a poor offense and he saw just 23 snaps (52%) and recorded 4 tackles. The variance is going to bite you on a weekly basis. The Cardinals look like a dime-heavy defense that features just one LB. White is that LB.

Week 2 Green Dot: Kyzir White

Atlanta Falcons

Nate Landman was placed on IR ahead of Monday Night Football and that opened up the snaps for Troy Andersen. Andersen had a three-down role and appeared in all but 4 snaps in Week 2. Kaden Elliss was on for all 71 snaps and wore the dot. Elliss had a great game with 11 tackles and produced the pressure that caused the Jessie Bates INT. Elliss saw a slight increased in pass rush snaps this week and could be used as a blitzer in specific situations. Atlanta was a nickel-heavy defense, and with Landman out, Andersen looks to have the LB2 role. JD Bertrand was used on special teams, and the Falcons utilized just two off-ball LBs in Week 2.

Week 2 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss

Update 9/16/2024: Ahead of Monday Night Football, the Falcons placed Nate Landman on IR. Troy Andersen appears in line to receive the majority of the snaps. JD Bertrand still looms, as well, and he could see snaps.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens were a nickel/2-LB defense in Week 2 against the Raiders. Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson were both on the field for 100% of the snaps. Smith, as usual, wore the dot. It’s a good sign that Simpson saw a three-down role after having limited usage in Week 1. It didn’t translate this week, but the IDP value appears to be on the way up.

Week 2 Green Dot: Roquan Smith

Buffalo Bills

We have our first major injury at the LB position. Terrel Bernard suffered a pectoral strain and is likely headed to IR for a 4-week absence. Baylon Spector came on in relief for Bernard, wearing the dot and appearing in 100% of the snaps once he entered the game. Dorian Williams had the same role as the LB2, but was the LB off the field in for 17 of their dime/single-LB snaps. Williams was off the field for the final drive in garbage time and appeared in just 8 snaps in the 4th. Spector graded average by PFF but his coverage left a bit to be desired (43.0), and he also missed on 2 tackles. Williams didn’t grade much better in coverage at 29.8.

Williams will be a Week 3 waiver target, although his usage raised an eyebrow. As far as Bernard’s replacement? The Bills may trade for an LB. Devin White, maybe? Joe Andreessen was inactive, and Nicholas Morrow had a handful of snaps. Spector was the clear LB1, as he wore the dot, so at this point, Spector is the waiver target as the Bernard replacement.

Week 2 Green Dot: Terrel Bernard. Baylon Spector wore the dot when Bernard left.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the entirety of the game against the Chargers. Fortunately for IDP managers, Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell were on the field for 100% of the snaps. Thompson wore the dot this week. Both were productive, as they dominated the tackle share combining for 25 tackles. Thompson led the way with 14. Both are startable every week with their usage.

Week 2 Green Dot: Shaq Thompson

Chicago Bears

The Bears didn’t switch anything up in Week 2 and were still a nickel/2-LB defense. Tremaine Edmunds led the way with 11 tackles and added a sack. TJ Edwards contributed 8 tackles, including 7 solos. Edmunds might have hit his ceiling game this week, but is still a weekly LB2/3. Edwards is a weekly LB1.

Week 2 Green Dot: Tremaine Edmunds

Cincinnati Bengals

Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt were the three-down LBs for the Bengals in Week 2. Wilson wore the dot, as usual, and both Wilson and Pratt swallowed up the tackles. The combined for 28, with Pratt leading the way (16). Wilson contributed 12 tackles of his own. The Bengals are a nickel-heavy defense featuring two LBs. Pratt and Wilson are weekly starters.

Week 2 Green Dot: Logan Wilson

Cleveland Browns

Jordan Hicks and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah were the full-time LBs for Cleveland in Week 2. Hicks wore the dot and JOK, once again, saw full-time work so it does appear a breakout season is here. The Browns are running a nickel defense more consistently and 2-LB usage. JOK has been the more productive of the LBs and is such an aggressive downhill runner and disruptor. Hicks’ day was saved by a sack.

Week 2 Green Dot: Jordan Hicks

Dallas Cowboys

Last week’s wavier wire darling, Demarvion Overshown, turned into a pumpkin in Week 2. Demarvion Overshown? More like Demarvion Overhidden, am I right? He appeared in just 18 snaps. Damone Clark and Marist Liufau outsnapped him at the LB2 spot. Kendricks and Clark got the snaps in the first series and throughout the first half. Overshown didn’t appear until midway through the second quarter. In their 3-LB/base look, it was Kendricks, Clark, and Liufau. Kendricks was the lone three-down LB and wore the dot. At this point, Kendricks is the only LB to roster. If you grabbed Overshown, I might hold or see if there’s a full-time LB on your wire.

Week 2 Green Dot: Eric Kendricks

Denver Broncos

Cody Barton saw an uptick in usage this week (70%), but still not enough to warrant an addition in most leagues. Alex Singleton saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Singleton improved his tackle rate to 15.2% on the season with his 11-tackle performance in Week 2. The Broncos look to be featuring 2-LB, but are going single-LB around 30% of the time. I’d still leave Barton on your wire.

Week 2 Green Dot: Alex Singleton

Detroit Lions

The first series looked promising for Jack Campbell, as he saw the majority of the snaps alongside Alex Anzalone. On the second series, Malcolm Rodriguez saw some snaps. Derrick Barnes was deployed as another defensive linemen in Week 2, as he saw 78% of the snaps on the edge. With Barnes’ role on the edge, it could open up more usage from Campbell at off-ball LB. Alex Anzalone left the game with a concussion and Campbell took over the dot. You’ll want to keep on Anzalone throughout the week. Campbell is worth a pickup if Anzalone misses any time.

Week 2 Green Dot: Alex Anzalone. Jack Campbell after Anzalone left.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers were primarily in nickel/2-LB looks in Week 2. Quay Walker saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot for the Packers in Week 2. Isaiah McDuffie still had a full-time role in Week 2, as he saw 89% of the snaps. Not much tackle production from the linebackers this week. The Colts ran the ball 18 times and Anthony Richardson completed just 17 passes. At this point, I wouldn’t blame you if you benched McDuffie. Walker had an off-game after recording 11 tackles in Week 1.

Week 2 Green Dot: Quay Walker

Houston Texans

Azeez Al-Shaair appeared in 100% of the snaps and wore the dot; however, he could be facing a suspension after punching Roschon Johnson in the helmet, so keep an eye on the news. Henry To’oTo’o saw a lesser role this week, as he saw just 73% of the snaps. The production translated, as he produced a 25.5% tackle rate, which resulted in 13 tackles. If Al-Shaair is suspended, I would guess To’oTo’o gets the dot, since he has experience with it in Demeco Ryans’ system. It looked like Houston was in dime/single-LB for 19 snaps, so To’oTo’o maybe looking at reduced usage, which would be a concern for his IDP value going forward.

Week 2 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts defense saw 70 snaps against a Malik Willis-led offense. The Packers decided to play ball control offense as they ran the ball 52 times. Zaire Franklin and EJ Speed combined for 21 tackles. Speed led the way with 11 while Franklin contributed 10 of his own. Franklin saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Speed saw all but one snap. Both are weekly starters, as the Colts continue to be a nickel/2-LB defense.

Week 2 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin

Jacksonville Jaguars

The LB rotation shenanigans continued with Ryan Nielsen, and it’s really starting to piss me off. Chad Muma and Ventrell Miller saw snaps in relief of Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd throughout the game. Muma and Miller started the second half and Muma wore the dot. Oluokun was in on the majority of 3rd downs, he and Lloyd played just 67% of the first downs. Lloyd seems to be the early down LB, as he played just 25% of the 3rd downs. I’d have no problem selling Foye or Lloyd at this point. Foye saw 81% of the snaps and Lloyd dipped below 70%. I have a hard time calling Lloyd a full-time LB at this point.

Week 2 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun/Chad Muma

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs continue to run 3-LB heavy packages at a higher rate than the NFL. Leo Chenal saw 56% of the snaps and contributed 6 tackles. Nick Bolton continues to be the lone three-down LB. Drue Tranquill saw 84% of the snaps. I still only trust Tranquill and Bolton, however, Bolton’s production is starting to frustrate me. Through two weeks, he’s producing a 9.9% tackle rate. Going forward, I’ll probably rank him as an LB3/4 until he shows signs of production.

Week 2 Green Dot: Nick Bolton

Las Vegas Raiders

It appears that the Raiders have shifted to a more dime/single-LB heavy defense. Divine Deablo saw just 66% of the snaps. He’s not productive enough to warrant a roster spot in shallow leagues. If you’re in a deeper league where you can roster 6-7 LBs, he might be worth a hold. Robert Spillane was the lone full-time LB and saw 100% of the snaps with the dot. Spillane has picked up right where he left from last season, recording 20 tackles and a 16.4% tackle rate through two games.

Week 2 Green Dot: Robert Spillane

Los Angeles Chargers

Once again, there was a rotation at LB, but it was in favor of Denzel Perryman and Daiyan Henley. When Henley and Perryman were on the field, it looked like Perryman had the dot for the first series. The second series featured Junior Colson and Perryman with Colson wearing the dot. The third series featured Henley and Colson with Henley wearing the dot. Colson suffered a hamstring injury that knocked him out of the game, and Henley was the LB on the field for dime/single-LB. He ended up seeing 90% of the snaps. In the second half, Henley had the dot for the majority of the game. Depending on the severity of Colson’s injury, Henley could emerge as the LB to target. Perryman saw just 67% of the snaps. I’m not ready to declare a full-time LB here, as I want to see how Colson’s injury shakes out. If you needed to put a waiver claim, I’d target Henley.

Week 2 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley/Denzel Perryman/Junior Colson

Los Angeles Rams

Well, it’s still Troy Reeder season. Reeder saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Christian Rozeboom saw a jump in usage, as the Rams went more nickel/2-LB mainly because the game was out of hand and the Cardinals ran the ball. Rozeboom was still the LB off the field in dime packages, which the Rams deployed on 13 snaps. Reeder is still the the only LB to roster from the Rams.

Week 2 Green Dot: Troy Reeder

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins’ defense was on the field for just 45 snaps, but David Long and Jordyn Brooks were on the field for 100% of the snaps. Long wore the dot and was the more productive of the two. Even though Brooks recorded 6 tackles, he managed a 13.3% tackles. Had Buffalo run more offensive plays, Brooks was on pace for a solid game. Both continue to be startable in most IDP formats, as Miami is running a nickel-heavy/2-LB defense.

Week 2 Green Dot: David Long

Minnesota Vikings

Blake Cashman was the lone three-down LB for the Vikings and was on the field for 100% of the snaps, and wore the dot. Cashman comes off a huge 13-tackle performance and he also added a sack, resulting in an 18.8% tackle rate. Ivan Pace saw a higher usage rate in the defense this week, but played on just 33% of the third downs and 70% of first downs. Pace just about hit the 70% snap mark, and he finished with a 16.7% tackle rate. Pace might be those exceptions to the rule when it comes to part-time LBs. He gets enough usage and is efficient when on the field. The Vikings used dime/single-LB on over 20 snaps, so Brian Flores is still featuring six DBs consistently. Pace is looking like an LB4/5 in deeper leagues where you’re starting 4+ linebackers.

Week 2 Green Dot: Blake Cashman

New England Patriots

Ja'Whaun Bentley left the game in the 2nd quarter and didn’t return. Kyle Dugger took over the play calling on defense, not Jahlani Tavai. However, Tavai had a full-time due to Bentley’s injury. Raekwon McMillan came in as the LB2 in Tavai’s role and played 59% of the snaps. The Patriots were in dime/single-LB for nearly 40% of the game. Patriots have a quick turnaround with a game looming on Thursday.

Week 2 Green Dot: Ja'Whaun Bentley. Kyle Dugger wore it when Bentley left.

Update 09/17/2024: Ju’Whaun Bentley is out for the year with a torn pectoral. Jahlani Tavai is the LB to target from the wire this week, as he should absorb Bentley’s snaps and usage. Raekwon McMillan should slot into Tavai’s role. However, if we look at Tavai’s usage, I think that’s what we can project for McMillan. Early down work and off the field for passing downs/3rd downs. Tavai saw just 23% of the 3rd downs in Week 1. McMillan will be a target in deeper leagues. Kyle Dugger (S) will be wearing the dot going forward.

New Orleans Saints

Demario Davis was the lone three-down LB in Week 2. He saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Pete Werner got close to a full-time workload, as he saw 76% of the snaps and had a productive day with a 15.7% tackle rate, resulting in 8 tackles. The Saints were in dime/single-LB for 16 snaps, and Werner was the one off the field. Davis had 8 tackles of his own, however, 3 were solo.

Week 2 Green Dot: Demario Davis

New York Giants

Micah McFadden returned to the field in Week 2 and appeared in nearly 80% of the snaps (79.2%). McFadden was consistently pulled on 3rd downs, as he saw just 3 snaps on third downs. Recording a 22.8% tackle rate right out of the gate is a pretty solid way to make a debut. I’m going to wait and on adding him to the chart, but I have no problem with putting a waiver claim on him this week. I want to see how his snap usage shakes out next week if Darius Muasau returns. Bobby Okereke saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. He bounced back with a solid 8-tackle/1 sack performance this week. Giants were in dime for about 20% of the game and nickel for the other 80%.

Week 2 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke

New York Jets

You’ll want to keep an eye on CJ Mosley this week. He left the game early due to a toe injury. Jamien Sherwood took over his role and the dot for the remainder of the game. Sherwood and Quincy Williams each recorded 9 tackles. I’d put in a waiver claim on Sherwood this week in the event Mosley misses this week or multiple games.

Week 2 Green Dot: CJ Mosley

Philadelphia Eagles

Vic Fangio utilized a nickel-heavy defense in Week 2 and Nakobe Dean and Zack Baun were the featured off-ball LBs. Although he didn’t have 2 sacks, Baun still had a solid game with 9 tackles (7 solos).

Week 2 Green Dot: Nakobe Dean

Pittsburgh Steelers

I’m not quite sure what to make of Patrick Queen in Pittsburgh. He’s the three-down LB and wearing the dot, however, he has just 6 tackles in the first two weeks and a 5.3% tackle rate. I can’t recommend starting him at this point. It’s tough to outright drop him, unless it’s for another three-down guy. There’s still a rotation at the LB2 spot with Elandon Roberts and Payton Wilson, as both LBs saw fewer than 40% of the snaps this week.

Week 2 Green Dot: Patrick Queen

San Francisco 49ers

Fred Warner and De’Vondre Campbell were the full-time LBs for the 49ers in Week 2. Warner saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot as usual. Campbell was on the field for all but 3 snaps, however, I’d have no problem dropping him for another productive LB on your wire. Through 2 weeks, Campbell has a tackle rate below 10%. Warner is locked in as a weekly LB1.

Week 2 Green Dot: Fred Warner

Seattle Seahawks

Tyrel Dodson was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Keep an eye on Jerome Baker, as he suffered a hamstring injury and didn’t return. Mike Macdonald said he thinks Baker will be “alright”, but didn’t go into any more detail. The Megastar, Tyrice Knight, filled in for Baker and saw a full-time role:

Keep an eye on Baker throughout the week as Knight will be the waiver pickup if Baker misses any games. Seattle’s defense is looking like a nickel/2-LB defense, so the LB2 has value. Baker had a 19% tackle rate before exiting. Dodson' finished with 8 tackles and has a 13.1% tackle rate through two weeks.

Week 2 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

You can drop KJ Britt, as it appears Britt Season has been cancelled. Britt had the same role this week as he did in Week 2 and saw just 48% of the snaps. Mostly in on early and non-passing situations, he consistently came off the field for Sirvocea Dennis, who was on the field for 52% of the snaps. Britt played 69% of first downs and just 52% of second downs. He got no 3rd and 4th down work. Dennis’ numbers look tantalizing, but a 22.7% tackle rate playing fewer than 55% of the snaps is unsustainable and is still too volatile to trust. David is the only Tampa LB to roster, as he saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. I will Dennis’ usage is trending up, so if you have the depth, it might be prudent to be proactive on Dennis.

Week 2 Green Dot: Lavonte David

Tennessee Titans

It took just one week, but Ernest Jones has taken over the LB2 role. Jones saw 100% of the snaps, but Murray got dinged in the 4th and missed a few plays, but was able to return. It’s worth noting, Gibbens wore the dot. For now, Murray still has the dot. The Titans were in nickel for the entire game. Jones and Murray dominated the tackle share and combined for 17 tackles, with Jones leading the way (9) and a 15.8% tackle rate. The Titans are looking to be nickel/2-LB heavy, so Jones Murray each have IDP value this season.

Week 2 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray

Washington Commanders

Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu were the three-down LBs this week with Wagner wearing the dot. Dan Quinn’s defense has been a nickel defense featuring 2-LBs. Both have IDP with their defensive usage.

Week 2 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner

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