2024 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 18
Through 17 weeks, what have learned about full-time and green dot LBs for 2024?
Week 17 wraps up the fantasy football season for most of you. But for those who play in Week 18, I’ve got you covered with the full-time/green dot linebackers from this past week as you prepare to avoid the minefield that is Week 18.
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
Kyzir White was the lone full-time off-ball LB for Arizona in Week 17. White was on the field for 100% of the snaps wearing the dot. Mack Wilson played just 72% of the snaps, as Arizona was in dime for 17 snaps. Arizona’s season is done, so we’ll see how they approach Week 18. I’d imagine White will play.
Week 17 Green Dot: Kyzir White
Atlanta Falcons
Kaden Elliss was the lone full-time off-ball LB for the Falcons in Week 17. He was on the field for 100% of the snaps, wore the dot, and came up with a solid game for his managers, recording 9 tackles and an INT. Elliss has produced a 3.8% big play rate this season, which includes INTs, sacks, defended passes, forced/recovered fumbles, TFLs, and QB hits. Nate Landman and JD Bertrand rotated snaps at the LB2 spot. Landman saw 34 snaps to Bertrand’s 26. The Falcons ran a modified nickel with Elliss, two edge rushers, and 3 down linemen. Elliss would be the only Atlanta LB I trust in Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss
Baltimore Ravens
Roquan Smith was on the field for all but 6 snaps in the blowout win over the Texans. Smith was the only full-time off-ball LB for the Ravens. Malik Harrison was on for 48% of the snaps and Chris Board saw 32%. The Ravens were in dime for just 12 snaps and played primarily in nickel, where Board and Harrison rotated at the LB2 spot. Trenton Simpson saw just 6 snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills
Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano were not needed for very many snaps in Week 18. Bernard saw 59% of the snaps while Milano was on for 56%. Joe Andreessen came on for most of the 4th quarter and wore the dot. If Buffalo decides to rest their starters, we could see Joe Andreessen get some extended run in Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Terrel Bernard
Carolina Panthers
No Josey Jewell in Week 17, as he was inactive. Chandler Wooten and Jacoby Windmon handled the off-ball LB duties against the Buccaneers. Initial PFF grades were not favorable; however, they produced solid IDP numbers. Wooten saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Windmon appeared in 84% of the snaps. The Panthers were mostly in nickel/big nickel and were in dime/single-LB for 11 snaps. Wooten is the LB to target in Week 18 if Jewell misses the last game of the season.
Week 17 Green Dot: Chandler Wooten
Chicago Bears
There was nothing different about the Bears in Week 17. Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards each played 100% of the snaps, limiting the Seahawks, to 52 snaps. Edmunds wore the dot. Although he’s played minimal snaps, Jack Sanborn will be a name to keep on your radar if the Bears decide to sit any players for the final week. He’s played 220 snaps and has produced a 15.5% tackle rate.
Week 17 Green Dot: Tremaine Edmunds
Cincinnati Bengals
Akeem Davis-Gaither wore the dot once again this week and was on the field for 100% of the snaps. Germaine Pratt was on for 83% of the snaps and was mostly off the field for dime/single-LB packages. Pratt had a huge INT near the end of the 4th. The Bengals have been a nickel-heavy defense, and with the playoffs on the line, I don’t see ADG or Pratt sitting in Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Akeem Davis-Gaither
Cleveland Browns
The Browns did their job and continued losing. Jordan Hicks started with the dot, but a head injury knocked him out after 31 snaps. He had compiled 7 tackles up to that point. Mohamoud Diabate took over the green dot and was the three-down LB and finished with 71% of the snaps. With Hicks out, Devin Bush got extra snaps in Cleveland’s nickel. We’ll see what happens with Hicks, but Diabate should get the run in Week 18 with the green dot if Hicks misses. Bush would be in the LB3/4 conversation.
Week 17 Green Dot: Jordan Hicks. Mohamoud Diabate when Hicks left.
Dallas Cowboys
After being inactive in Week 16, Eric Kendricks returned in Week 17 against the Eagles. Kendricks was on for 100% of the snaps wearing the dot. The Cowboys were in nickel for most of the game, with Marist Liufau getting the snaps as the LB2. Liufau saw all but 3 snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Eric Kendricks
Denver Broncos
Denver was nickel-heavy in Week 17 and was in their dime for just 9 snaps. Cody Barton was on the field for all but 5 snaps and wore the dot. Justin Strnad saw fewer than 80% of the snaps since week 11. Although Drew Sanders saw 9 snaps, he played off-ball LB on 8 of them. Denver’s in a playoff chase, so Barton and Strnad are startable in Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Cody Barton
Detroit Lions
The Lions didn’t have much to play for this week, as their big game that decides the division and #1 seed happens Thursday, but Detroit played their starters. Jack Campbell saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Campbell was the lone full-time off-ball LB. Jalen Reeves-Maybin saw the majority of the snaps as the LB2 in nickel, but saw 62% of the snaps. Detroit wasn’t in dime for any snaps, but their nickel had a rotation between JRM and Ben Niemann. Week 18 is for all the marbles, so start Campbell with all confidence.
Week 17 Green Dot: Jack Campbell
Green Bay Packers
No Quay Walker meant another week of Eric Wilson with the green dot. Edgerrin Cooper was on the field for all but one snap alongside Wilson. Isaiah McDuffie was relegated to base downs, as he saw just 29 snaps. We’ll have to see how Green Bay tackles Week 18, but I have a feeling they’ll want to win for seeding. Keep an eye on Quay’s practices this week, as that would impact Wilson. I think Cooper is still a solid LB3.
Week 17 Green Dot: Eric Wilson
Houston Texans
The Texans played the Scut Farkus role to Baltimore’s Ralphie Parker, as they suffered a beatdown after school. Henry To’oTo’o wore the dot for most of the game but sat for most of the 4th quarter with the game out of hand. Neville Hewitt and Jake Hansen were the off-ball LBs for most of the 4th, with Hewitt wearing the dot. To’oTo’o ended up playing 83% of the snaps. Christian Harris played 70% of the snaps. Week 18 marks the potential return of Azeez Al-Shaair from suspension. The Texans don’t have much to play for in Week 18 with the division and 4th seed locked in. We’ll have to see if Houston plans on playing Al-Shaair this week. It could impact To’oTo’o and Harris’ usage.
Week 17 Green Dot: Henry To’oTo’o
Indianapolis Colts
EJ Speed returned in Week 17 after being inactive last week. Zaire Franklin and Speed were the three-down LBs, as Indy went nickel-heavy. The Colts were in their base/3-LB packages, which allowed Jaylon Carlies to see 18 snaps, but nowhere near the usage as last week with Speed out. Franklin carried his managers this week, but Speed failed to get out of neutral. We’ll see if the Colts rest any starters with the season over; however, if they do play, it could be treated as a preseason game, as Franklin and Speed might see limited snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin
Jacksonville Jaguars
There were no real changes to the Jaguars defense this week. Ventrell Miller was inactive, so Chad Muma got snaps in their base defense. Foyesade Oluokun saw 100% of the snaps wearing the dot, finishing with 11 tackles. Devin Lloyd was the nickel LB but saw 73% of the snaps. I expect the Jags to play their starters in Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs blew out the Steelers on their way to clinching the top seed in the AFC. I think the 4th quarter gave us an idea of how they might approach Week 18. Nick Bolton sat the final two defensive series, while Drue Tranquill and Leo Chenal remained on the field. Tranquill wore the dot. After the two-minute warning, Chenal and Tranquill came off and Swayze Bozeman came on as the off-ball LB. Bolton ended up playing 79% of the snaps. KC was in dime for 29 snaps, mostly from the 2nd quarter and on. If your championship week is in Week 18, keep an eye on the news on who’s going to rest. I’d say Bozeman and Chenal are your LB targets this week.
Week 17 Green Dot: Nick Bolton
Las Vegas Raiders
Robert Spillane was the lone full-time LB in Week 17. Spillane played 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. The Raiders were in dime/single-LB for most of the game, as Divine Deablo’s usage continues to whittle. Deablo saw just 53% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Robert Spillane
Los Angeles Chargers
There’s never a good time for a goose egg, but Week 17? Championship Week?! Come on, Daiyan Henley! For a guy who’d been averaging 11 tackles/game since Week 8, a 0 was not in my range of outcomes. Henley played 72% of the snaps and wore the dot while on the field. Chances are, he’s one of the reasons you’re in the title game, but he did you dirty in the big one. The Chargers were in dime for just 7 snaps and were nickel-heavy. Troy Dye got some extended run, as he saw 81% of the snaps. Junior Colson played just 15 snaps in garbage time.
Week 17 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley
Los Angeles Rams
Christian Rozeboom was the lone full-time off-ball LB and played 90% of the snaps. Omar Speights, however, saw his highest usage in the Rams’ nickel since Week 12. Speights saw 71% of the snaps and recorded 10 tackles. The Rams went 0-LB for 8 snaps, but Rozeboom is still getting enough snaps to warrant starting as an LB3 in Week 18. Speights is worth adding as an LB4 for Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Quentin Lake
Miami Dolphins
Anthony Walker was ruled out and Tyrel Dodson replaced him. Dodson and Jordyn Brooks were both on the field for 100% of the snaps with Dodson getting the dot. The Dolphins went nickel for most of the game and featured their two off-ball LBs. No other LB saw any snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson
Minnesota Vikings
Ivan Pace Jr. returned in Week 17, but it didn’t alter Minnesota’s defense much. They were still dime/single-LB heavy. Cashman was the lone full-time LB, as he saw 100% of the snaps wearing the dot. Pace played 21 snaps (34%) in his return from IR.
Week 17 Green Dot: Blake Cashman
New England Patriots
Kyle Dugger, once again, wore the dot this week. Jahlani Tavai saw 75% of the snaps while Christian Elliss saw 62%. Sione Takitaki was on for 31 snaps. The Patriots were in dime for just two snaps, featuring Elliss and Marte Mapu. Surprisingly, New England was in their base for 30 snaps, which featured a modified version with Takitaki, Anfernee Jennings, and Tavai. It’s tough to trust any New England LB heading into Week 18, but it’s probably Tavai.
Week 17 Green Dot: Kyle Dugger
New Orleans Saints
The Saints were nickel-heavy in Week 17, featuring Demario Davis and Pete Werner for the majority of the snaps. Werner saw 90% of the snaps and finished with 13 tackles. Davis saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. He continued his strong production over the last few weeks, finishing with 13 tackles of his own. I don’t see the Saints sitting anyone in Week 18, so I’d feel comfortable starting Davis and Werner in Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
There was no Micah McFadden in Week 17. Darius Muasau ended up wearing the dot and playing 100% of the snaps. Ty Summers stepped into the LB2 role in their nickel defense. The Giants went dime/single-LB for just a handful of snaps, as Summers saw 86% of the snaps. Neck injuries can be tricky, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see McFadden held out in Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Darius Muasau
New York Jets
Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams were the three-down LBs for the Jets in Week 18. The Jets remained in nickel, as they were in dime for just one snap. Their base defense was more of a 5-2-4 look with 5 linemen and two off-ball LBs.
Week 17 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood
Philadelphia Eagles
Nakobe Dean was inactive, so Zack Baun took over the green dot. Baun saw 79% of the snaps with the game in hand, as he sat for most of the 4th quarter. Oren Burks was the LB2 in their nickel defense, as he saw 83% of the snaps. Jeremiah Trotter got some extended looks, as he was on the field for 23 snaps. Trotter’s initial PFF grades look pretty favorable. We’ll have to see Dean’s status and practices throughout the week. The Eagles are locked into the #2 seed, so they could treat Week 18 like a preseason game.
Week 17 Green Dot: Zack Baun
Pittsburgh Steelers
Even in the blowout, Patrick Queen saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Once again, it was a relatively even rotation at the LB2 spot in base and nickel packages. Elandon Roberts was on for 33 snaps (53%) while Payton Wilson saw 29 snaps (47%). The Steelers still have the division to play for in Week 18, so Queen is close to a must-start in Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Patrick Queen
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers won’t have Dre Greenlaw for the remainder of the year, so Dee Winters was the LB2 opposite Fred Warner in their nickel defense. Winters was on the field for 87% of the snaps and finished with 8 tackles. Warner was on for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. The 49ers season is over and it remains to be seen how they approach Week 18. If the starters sit out, Winters should see a three-down role and wear the dot.
Week 17 Green Dot: Fred Warner
Seattle Seahawks
Ernest Jones was the lone full-time off-ball LB for the Seahawks in Week 17 while wearing the dot. Tyrice Knight saw just 74% of the snaps, as he was mostly on the field for early downs and saw just a handful of 3rd down snaps. Seattle is playing for a postseason birth, so they do have motivation to play. I don’t see Ernest Jones sitting in Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Ernest Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay had this one in hand for the entire game. Lavonte David was needed for just 36 snaps and he delivered just one tackle.
Week 17 Green Dot: Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans
Kenneth Murray will miss the remainder of the season, so Luke Gifford should see a three-down role next week, as well. Gifford played 100% of the snaps and wore the dot in Week 17, finishing with 8 tackles. Jerome Baker was on the field for all but 3 snaps. The Titans went nickel-heavy, as James Williams saw just 1 snap. As long as Baker is active, Williams won’t have much IDP value in Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Luke Gifford
Washington Commanders
Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu each saw 100% of the snaps in Week 18. Wagner wore the dot, as usual, but came up short for his managers with just 6 assists. Luvu couldn’t muster anything more than an assisted tackle. It wraps up a poor four-week stretch where he had three games of fewer than 3 tackles. Wagner had been slow and steady but hadn’t hit 10+ tackles since Week 6.
Week 17 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner
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