2024 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 14
Through 13 weeks, what have learned about full-time and green dot LBs for 2024?
With Week 13 and the Thanksgiving leftovers behind us, let’s look at the full-time and green dot linebackers for this past week. We had a veteran return to the field after being out for most of the season and, apparently, we found out an elite LB has been playing on a fractured ankle.
Here’s a look at the state of the linebacker position as we head into Week 14.
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals were primarily in their base/nickel defense this week, as Kyzir White and Mack Wilson each had full-time roles in Week 13. White saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot while Wilson saw all but 3 snaps. Wilson must have been listening to the Week 13 stream because I mentioned him as a drop candidate during the show, and he obviously took that personally. Wilson notched 2 sacks to go along with his 7 tackles. White recorded 6 of his own tackles and added a sack.
Week 13 Green Dot: Kyzir White
Atlanta Falcons
Troy Andersen returned in Week 13, and unfortunately for Nate Landman, it had an impact on his usage. Andersen appeared in 16 snaps, but Landman played just 17 snaps after appearing in at least 75% of the snaps in six straight games. The Chargers only managed 46 offensive snaps, so not many tackle opportunities in this one. Kaden Elliss was the lone full-time LB, as he appeared in 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Landman is just about droppable in most redraft formats.
Week 13 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss
Baltimore Ravens
It looks like Trenton Simpson's demotion has stuck. He ceded snaps at the LB2 to Malik Harrison and was out-snapped by Chris Board 28-22. Harrison saw 67% of the snaps. Initial grades are showing that Simpson was Baltimore’s worst player this week. Roquan Smith returned in Week 13 after being inactive last week. Smith saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot.
Week 13 Green Dot: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills
Dorian Williams SZN is dead.
Date/Time of death: 12/1/2024. 8:49 pm EST.
Cause of death: Matt Milano
Matt Milano returned in Week 13 and there was no ease-in period. Milano played all 37 snaps in their nickel defense and was off the field on 11 dime snaps. Dorian Williams played 0 defensive snaps after seeing a full-time role while Milano was out. Terrel Bernard played 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. There didn’t seem to be any limits to Milano and he finished with 5 tackles. It looks like you can drop Dorian in redraft formats. Milano is worth adding from waivers as an LB4/5.
Week 13 Green Dot: Terrel Bernard
Carolina Panthers
It looked like Trevin Wallace had a full-time role against Tampa Bay in Week 13 to help counter their two-man punch of Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. Wallace saw 81% of the snaps and a sack helped boost his IDP day. Josey Jewell saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Jewell was sent in on 5 pass rush snaps and was able to record a sack to go along with his 10 tackles. It looked like Carolina was in their nickel/modified nickel for most of the game. With 6 teams on bye next week, Wallace is an LB4/5 streamer option.
Week 13 Green Dot: Josey Jewell
Chicago Bears
The Bears ran out their typical defense in Week 13. Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards were the three-down LBs and Edmunds wore the dot. The Bears didn’t run any dime snaps and were in their base defense for just 19 snaps.
Week 13 Green Dot: Tremaine Edmunds
Cincinnati Bengals
Unfortunately, Logan Wilson was inactive for a prime matchup. Germaine Pratt took the green dot in Week 13 and received the three-down role treatment. Akeem Davis-Gaither was the LB2 in Cincinnati’s defense and was on the field for all but one snap. The Bengals were primarily in nickel, as Joe Bachie saw just a handful of snaps and there was no rotation between Bachie and ADG. We’ll have to keep track of Wilson’s status throughout the week with his knee injury. ADG is a lock-n-load replacement.
Week 13 Green Dot: Germaine Pratt
Cleveland Browns
Jordan Hicks was the lone full-time LB in Cleveland’s defense, as he was on the field for all but a handful of snaps and wore the dot while on the field. Mohamoud Diabate was on the field for 74% of the snaps. He rotated with Devin Bush in nickel packages. This was Diabate’s first game below an 80% snap rate in the last four games. Bush continues to see snaps in nickel and their base defense.
Week 13 Green Dot: Jordan Hicks
Dallas Cowboys
Eric Kendricks was listed as questionable throughout the week, but he ended up playing against the Giants in Week 13. For someone dealing with various injuries, he looked good and turned in a solid IDP performance, finishing with 10 tackles and a sack. Kendricks appeared in 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. DeMarvion Overshown was on the field for all but 1 snap and had an impressive pick-six while adding 9 tackles of his own.
Week 13 Green Dot: Eric Kendricks
Denver Broncos
Justin Strnad has now had a full-time role in consecutive weeks, however, it hasn’t resulted in production. He has jut 8 tackles over the last two weeks, so he’s not really a waiver priority, unless you’re desperate for an LB in Week 14. Strnad saw 91% of the snaps in Week 13. Cody Barton played 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. He had the game sealing INT in the 4th.
Week 13 Green Dot: Cody Barton
Detroit Lions
Jack Campbell was the lone three-down LB for the Lions in Week 13. Campbell saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot, though the tackle production didn’t translate. Malcolm Rodriguez saw nearly 80% of the snaps before a 4th quarter injury knocked him out mid-way through the quarter. It’s worth noting that Ezekiel Turner saw 16 of the 20 4th-quarter defensive snaps after Rodriguez left. David Long saw 0 and Ben Niemann saw just 2. Trevor Nowaske was utilized more in their base on the defensive line. Rodrigo is out for the year with a torn ACL, and it’s also worth noting Kwon Alexander was signed from Denver’s practice squad, and he always has a way of sticking his nose into playing time. So just based on the 4th quarter usage after Rodrigo left the game, I’d put Turner at the top of the waiver priority (know that will probably change some Week 14). I’d probably put Kwon second and then Niemann.
Week 13 Green Dot: Jack Campbell
Green Bay Packers
Quay Walker saw 100% of the snaps in Week 13 and wore the dot. Walker turned in a solid game in run defense and didn’t miss on a tackle attempt. Over the last four games, Walker has recorded a 15.2% tackle rate, resulting in 37 tackles. With Edgerrin Cooper out, Isaiah McDuffie saw a full-time role, as he was on the field for 89% of the snaps, and made two key first-down-saving tackles during the game. He also had a big forced fumble. The Packers were primarily in their nickel defense, which featured Walker and McDuffie. Eric Wilson saw most of his action in GB’s base, as he saw 32 snaps. As long as Cooper remains sidelined, McDuffie looks to have IDP value as an LB3/4.
Week 13 Green Dot: Quay Walker
Houston Texans
An ugly game for Azeez Al-Shaair as he delivered a horrible, dirty hit on Trevor Lawrence. Al-Shaair was ejected after 19 snaps and I wouldn’t be surprised if a suspension was handed out. To make matters worse, Al-Shaair took off his helmet and was ready to fight Jacksonville players. Neville Hewitt came on the field to replace Al-Shaair and would play 49 snaps. Henry To’oTo’o took over the dot after Al-Shaair was sent to the showers in disgrace. Devin White is a non-factor in the LB rotation, as he saw just 6 snaps. As far as the wire goes, I’m targeting Toto first then Hewitt.
Week 13 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair. Henry To’oTo’o took over after Al-Shaair’s ejection.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts featured Zaire Franklin and EJ Speed in Week 13 and were primarily in their nickel defense. Grant Stuard saw some snaps (20) in their base defense, but the Colts have been, primarily, a two off-ball LB defense.
Week 13 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin
Jacksonville Jaguars
Foyesade Oluokun saw all but one snap and wore the dot on defense. Devin Lloyd saw 71% of the snaps and led the LB2 rotation over Ventrell Miller. Miller ended up with just 26 snaps on the day. Houston’s been a tougher matchup as of late for LBs, as Lloyd and Foye combined for just 10 tackles.
Week 13 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun
Kansas City Chiefs
Nick Bolton was the lone full-time LB for the Chiefs and wore the dot in Week 13. Bolton suffered an injury that knocked him out for a few snaps but returned to the field. Drue Tranquill took over the playcalling duties while Bolton was out. The Chiefs were in dime for 15 plays and featured 4-safeties. While their nickel featured Bolton/Tranquill, Leo Chenal played a few snaps on the edge. Chenal was mostly in on base defense snaps. Bolton had his ceiling game at the right time.
Week 13 Green Dot: Nick Bolton
Las Vegas Raiders
Robert Spillane was the lone three-down LB for the Raiders. Spillane was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. The Raiders were in their dime defense for 14 snaps which deployed three safeties and utilized Spillane on the edge for a few snaps. Divine Deablo saw just 72% of the snaps as he was off for all dime snaps and played just 38% of the 3rd downs. I’m raising a Rock-like eyebrow at Deablo’s usage over the last few weeks. This is the second time out of the last three weeks his usage has been below 75%. His production has been down despite the role, as he’s recorded just 16 tackles over the last four games.
Week 13 Green Dot: Robert Spillane
Los Angeles Chargers
Denzel Perryman was inactive for Week 13, so the Chargers leaned on Troy Dye as the LB2. The Chargers hadn’t featured an LB2 in more than 70% of the snaps for most of the season. Dye ended up playing 77% of the snaps and recorded 14 tackles. Daiyan Henley saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Dye could be on the radar for Week 14.
Week 13 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams featured Christian Rozeboom as a full-time LB in their defense in Week 13. Rozeboom saw 90% of the snaps and recorded yet another double-digit tackle performance (12). Omar Speights saw 62% of the snaps and contributed 10 tackles of his own.
Week 13 Green Dot: Quentin Lake
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins were primarily in their nickel defense in Week 13. Their base defense featured Quinton Bell on the outside. Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson were the three-down LBs and were both on the field for 100% of the snaps. Dodson wore the dot with Walker inactive. Dodson and Brooks combined for 19 tackles with Dodson leading the way with 10 tackles. As long as Walker is out, Dodson is a weekly LB2.
Week 13 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson
Minnesota Vikings
I hope you don’t hate anyone (or anyone hates you for that matter) as much as Brian Flores hates using a second off-ball LB in his defense. Blake Cashman saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Ivan Pace Jr. is now on IR, and they just signed Jamin Davis. However, the Vikings were primarily in dime/single-LB packages, as Kamu Grugier-Hill saw just 13 snaps. Cashman is the only rosterable Vikings’ LB.
Week 13 Green Dot: Blake Cashman
New England Patriots
Christian Elliss wore the dot for the majority of the first half when he was on the field with Jahlani Tavai. Elliss appeared to be off the field, except for a snap or two, for Indy’s final drive of the 2nd and Tavai wore the dot. On that series, the Pats seemed to be in their dime package. It looked like Tavai wore it for most of the second half. Tavai ended up appearing in all but 4 snaps. Elliss had a big INT off a Tavai tipped pass and saw 67% of the snaps. Elliss still looks to have some IDP value in big-play formats and if he has DL eligibility in some leagues.
Week 13 Green Dot: Christian Elliss/Jahlani Tavai
New Orleans Saints
Demario Davis saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot in Week 13. The Saints were in their nickel defense for most of the game, and Pete Werner saw all but 7 snaps this week. The Saints continue to be a nickel-heavy defense and were rarely in their base defense against the Rams.
Week 13 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
The Giants were in their dime defense for just 11 snaps and it featured three safeties. The Giants were primarily in nickel and Micah McFadden saw 79% of the snaps. Bobby Okereke was on for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot in Week 13.
Week 13 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets
CJ Mosley continues to take a small step forward and then six steps back when it comes to his neck injury. I’m not sure I’d be counting on Mosley for the remainder of the season. What’s the point? Jamien Sherwood once again manned the green dot and Quincy Williams was a three-down LB right alongside him.
Week 13 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood
Philadelphia Eagles
Nakobe Dean started with the dot, but Zack Baun finished with it. Dean missed a snap, where Baun took over, and it appeared he never relinquished the play-calling duties. It didn’t really matter, however, as both LBs were three-down players in Week 13. Dean saw all but 3 snaps. We’ll see if Baun remains the green dot LB in Week 14.
Week 13 Green Dot: Nakobe Dean started with it. Zack Baun finished.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Patrick Queen was the lone full-time LB for the Steelers in Week 13. Queen was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Joe Burrow picked on Queen all game long in coverage and the result was a 29.3 coverage grade. He recorded 9 tackles. I think Payton Wilson is emerging as the most talented off-ball LB of the group. He graded well in tackling, pass rush, and coverage, earning 77 grades from PFF in all three facets, resulting in an 83.7 overall grade. Wilson out snapped Elandon Roberts 35-21.
Week 13 Green Dot: Patrick Queen
San Francisco 49ers
If Fred Warner is playing on a fractured ankle, it doesn’t look like it. He made an impressive sideline tackle where he was running full speed. Those painkillers are a hell of an invention. He was finally removed from the game in the 4th when it was well out of hand. De’Vondre Campbell was the LB2 opposite Warner. Dee Winters saw extra snaps in their base defense and came on the field for Campbell for some snaps in nickel. Jalen Graham replaced Warner when he left in the 2nd and late in the game. Graham was wearing the dot while Warner was off the field.
Week 13 Green Dot: Fred Warner
Seattle Seahawks
Ernest Jones was the lone full-time LB for Seattle, as he saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Tyrice Knight is getting closer to that full-time role threshold, but came up short, as he was on the field for 78% of the snaps.
Week 13 Green Dot: Ernest Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Lavonte David was the lone three-down LB in Week 13 for Tampa’s defense. He saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. KJ Britt suffered an ankle injury that knocked him out after just 14 snaps. JJ Russell was the off-ball LB to replace him and he played in nearly 80% of the second-half snaps (including OT). Russell would finish with an 11.6% tackle rate, resulting in 5 tackles. The Bucs were in nickel for most of the game and Russell looks to have IDP value if Britt misses time with his ankle injury.
Week 13 Green Dot: Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans
The Titans defense saw 80 snaps, as they were blown out by the Commanders in Week 13. Kenneth Murray wore the dot on defense and sat for the last of the 4th quarter. Jerome Baker saw 94% of the snaps against Washington. Murray had a solid IDP day, recording 10 tackles and a half-sack.
Week 13 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray
Washington Commanders
Not much change with the Commanders defense this week. Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu were on the field for 100% of the snaps with Wagner wearing the dot. The Titans have been a tough team for opposing LBs over the last few weeks, as Wagner and Luvu combined for just 8 tackles.
Week 13 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner
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