2024 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 4
Through three weeks, what have learned about full-time and green dot LBs for 2024?
It was a relatively quiet week, well unless you’re a Foyesade Oluokun owner. You’ll be glued to the injury report throughout the week. The green dot situations are starting to settle, but the full-time LBs are still volatile. As we look ahead to Week 4, let’s review who wore the dot in Week 3 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 3.
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
I’m not ready to add Mack Wilson to the chart, but he had a full-time role in Week 3. He saw 87% of the snaps and turned in a solid game with 8 tackles and a sack. We’ll see if the usage trend continues into next week, as Arizona was in single-LB for just 9 snaps. Kyzir White was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot as usual. White would finish with 10 tackles (just 1 solo). If Wilson is on your wire, he’s worth the add for the potential uptick in role and usage.
Week 3 Green Dot: Kyzir White
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were in nickel/2-LB packages throughout the game, as Kaden Elliss and Troy Andersen were the three-down LBs for the Falcons. Elliss wore the dot, as usual for the defense. If Andersen went unclaimed last week, this will be the last week you’ll probably be able to grab him.
Week 3 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss
Baltimore Ravens
I think I’m about ready to declare Trenton Simpson SZN cancelled. Simpson saw 51% of the snaps and managed 4 tackles. Roquan Smith saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot as usual. It looked like Simpson had some lapses in coverage, but overall he played well and allowed just 10 yards. It did look like Simpson was off the field for the majority of the 4th quarter, as he saw just 3 snaps. PFF graded him as their best defender and a 86.2 coverage grade. I don’t think the removal was justified. At this point, Roquan is the only Ravens LB worth holding on to.
Week 3 Green Dot: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills
Baylon Spector and Dorian Williams were the full-time linebackers up until the 4th quarter. Williams only played 4 snaps in the final quarter while Spector played just 8 snaps. Spector wore the dot on defense. The Bills were nickel-heavy/2-LB for most of the game and were in dime for 15 snaps.
Week 3 Green Dot: Baylon Spector
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers surprised a lot of people today and dominated the Raiders. Shaq Thompson was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. It looked like they were working in Trevin Wallace with Josey Jewell. Jewell was off the field, for what looked like, most of the snaps of the Raiders’ final drive and played just 39% of the 4th quarter. He was on near the end of the game and dropped an INT. Jewell saw 69% of the snaps. Another game where the script fell out of favor and the Raiders threw the ball 40 times. I’m not ready to remove Jewell from the chart and is still an LB3/4.
Week 3 Green Dot: Shaq Thompson
Chicago Bears
An ugly game and game script fell out of the Bears’ favor. The duo of Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards combined for 7 tackles. Edmund and Edwards were both on the field for 100% of the snaps and Edmunds wore the dot. The Bears were primarily in nickel/2-LB packages, as they were in base for just 19% of their snaps. Unfortunately, just one of those games for Edwards.
Week 3 Green Dot: Tremaine Edmunds
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals were in their normal defense featuring two off-ball linebackers in Week 3. Logan Wilson was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Germaine Pratt saw all but one snap. Wilson and Pratt combined for 18 tackles. The Bengals were in nickel/2-LB packages for all but one snap, so Pratt and Wilson are weekly starters.
Week 3 Green Dot: Logan Wilson
Cleveland Browns
Jordan Hicks saw 86% of the snaps against the Giants and wore the dot when he was on the field. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was on the field for all but one snap. JOK and Hicks would combine for 17 tackles, with JOK leading the way with 9.
Week 3 Green Dot: Jordan Hicks
Dallas Cowboys
So, are we going to be on this every-other-week carousel with Damone Clark and Demarvion Overshown? If so, I’m getting out of line. Overshown saw 78% of the snaps, and just 7 snaps in the 4th. Clark only saw 12 defensive snaps this week. Eric Kendricks dominated the tackle share and finished with 12 tackles. Kendricks saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Dallas does look like a nickel-heavy/2-LB defense, but I’m not trying to figure out the weekly LB2.
Week 3 Green Dot: Eric Kendricks
Denver Broncos
Alex Singleton was the lone full-time LB in Week 3. Singleton was on for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Singleton now has double-digit tackles in consecutive games. The Broncos were in single-LB for 34% of their defensive snaps, which limited Cody Barton’s usage, as he saw just 61% of the snaps. Barton is droppable in shallow leagues.
Week 3 Green Dot: Alex Singleton
UPDATE 09/25/2024: We received some unexpected news regarding Alex Singleton. Singleton goes on IR and is out for the year with a torn ACL. Just as I say Cody Barton is droppable, he’s now roster worthy. As far who wears the dot? Barton has experience in Seattle and Washington. Justin Strnad has just been a special teamer this year. One of the sneaky names to monitor is Kristian Welch. He’s a solid tackler, but hasn’t graded very well over 30 snaps this season. Kwon Alexander and Zach Cunningham are currently on the practice squad.
Detroit Lions
Alex Anzalone was inactive due to a concussion. Jack Campbell would take his place and wear the dot in Week 3. This was an instance where the dot doesn’t equal production, as he finished with just 4 tackles. Malcolm Rodriguez ended up playing 86% of the snaps and Jalen Reeves-Maybin saw 41% of the snaps because of a Derrick Barnes injury. Keep an eye on Anzalone and the progress of his concussion recovery. Jack Campbell looks to be a three-down LB when he’s out thanks to his role with the dot.
Week 3 Green Dot: Jack Campbell
Green Bay Packers
Quay Walker wore the dot for the Packers in Week 3 and was on the field for 100% of the snaps. He’s still putting up pedestrian numbers for a three-down player. Isaiah McDuffie saw fewer than 80% of the snaps, but he really wasn’t needed. The Packers seemed to have control of this one, as the Packers were in single-LB for around 23% of of the game. McDuffie made the most of his snaps was ultra-efficient with a 26.5% tackle rate.
Week 3 Green Dot: Quay Walker
Houston Texans
The Texans were on the wrong end of a Texas-sized ass whooping. Azeez Al-Shaair was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. He finished with double-digit tackles (10) and now has a 14.1% tackle rate through three weeks. Henry To’oTo’o had a full-time role and played in 89% of the snaps.
Week 3 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts defense has been on the field for 239 defensive snaps through 3 games. They allowed 90 plays to the Bears in Week 3 (no OT). Zaire Franklin and EJ Speed were both on the field for 100% of the snaps with Franklin manning the dot. They dominated the tackle share with 27 tackles, with Franklin leading the way with 15 (5 solo). Speed contributed 12 of his own. Through three weeks, the Colts are a nickel-heavy defense. Speed and Franklin are weekly starters.
Week 3 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin
Jacksonville Jaguars
The LB rotation continued into Week 3 and it looks like it’s going to be a regular thing, plus, it’s not getting any clearer with their leader, Foyesade Oluokun, leaving with a foot injury. If Foye misses any time, these LBs are unplayable in most formats, unless you’re starting more than 5 linebackers. It looked like the deployment would be Foye and Devin Lloyd until the third series when Chad Muma and Ventrell Miller came on. In the second half, it looked like Miller and Muma were on for most of that series then the rotation continued with Lloyd. Ryan Nielsen has done IDP’ers dirty with this rotation. I’d only consider Muma and Miller in only the deepest of leagues, as they were on the field for fewer than 45% of the snaps.
Week 3 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun. Devin Lloyd took over the dot after Foye left with a foot injury.
Update 09/24/2024: It appears Foye is expected to miss several weeks with plantar fasciitis. The LB situation was murky already with a rotation, but with Oluokun out of the picture, it could continue. I would expect Devin Lloyd to the LB1 with Chad Muma as the LB2. Ventrell Miller has been the sub for Lloyd and has also worn the dot alongside Muma. I would expect close to a full-time role, but we won’t really know how things shake out until Week 4.
Kansas City Chiefs
Nick Bolton had a solid game and made the game-saving tackle in the 4th. He did get dinged up that caused him to miss a few plays, but he returned just in time. When he was on the field, he wore the dot. Drue Tranquill saw 89% of the snaps, but managed just 3 tackles.
Week 3 Green Dot: Nick Bolton
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders just lost their own battle. They were outgunned and outmanned. Did that go the way the Raiders thought it would? Nope. Robert Spillane was the lone three-down LB and wore the dot. Divine Deablo was inactive for Week 3 and Luke Masterson filled in. The Raiders still only utilized him on 70% of the snaps and he was off the field for most 3rd downs; just 4 snaps. Unless you’re in a deep league, where you’re starting 4/5 LBs, you can pass over Masterson on waivers.
Week 3 Green Dot: Robert Spillane
Los Angeles Chargers
Junior Colson was inactive which led to a normal LB rotation for the Chargers. Daiyan Henley was the lone three-down LB and was in 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Henley contributed 12 tackles and is now on the IDP radar. The Chargers were in single-LB/dime for 11 snaps (19%), as Denzel Perryman was the LB off the field. Henley could be pulling away here, as his play is making a statement. Keep an eye on Colson’s injury throughout the week. Perryman saw 81% of the snaps and could be on the radar as an LB3/4 (pending Colson’s injury.
Week 3 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley
Los Angeles Rams
Troy Reeder saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot once again in Week 3. Christian Rozeboom got a bump in usage, as he saw nearly 80% of the snaps. Reeder and Rozeboom each contributed 10 tackles. Can we expect this snap usage going forward for Rozeboom? I’m not buying into it yet. The 49ers personnel looked to dictate what the Rams did. If you’re in a deeper league, rostering 6-7 LBs, he’ll be worth an add, but I wouldn’t go crazy in FAAB spending.
Week 3 Green Dot: Troy Reeder
Miami Dolphins
We’ll need to keep an eye on David Long’s hamstring injury. He missed the final plays of the fourth quarter, but was not having a good day prior to the injury. Up until that point, he had been on the field for every snap and wore the dot. Anthony Walker replaced him and was the one wearing the dot in Long’s absence. Jordyn Brooks was on for 100% of the snaps and finished with 9 tackles (3 solos). Walker had an efficient 7 snaps, producing a 42.9% tackle rate. Obviously, totally unsustainable. If Brooks is on your wire, he’s the one I’m targeting. The Dolphins remain a nickel-heavy/2-LB defense.
Week 3 Green Dot: David Long. Anthony Walker wore it when Long left.
Minnesota Vikings
Game script but the Minnesota linebackers in Week 3. Blake Cashman was the lone full-time LB and wore the dot, but got his snaps scaled back in the blowout, as he saw just 8 snaps in the 4th quarter. Ivan Pace was declared out ahead of the game, and Kamu Grugier-Hill got the snaps at LB2, but saw just 31% of the snaps. The Vikings were in primarily in single-LB packages in favor of three safeties, as the Texans were trying to play catch up. Even with Pace out, KGH has no IDP value. Let someone else in your league chase his points.
Week 3 Green Dot: Blake Cashman
New England Patriots
Ja'Whaun Bentley suffered a torn pectoral in Week 2, and it was Kyle Dugger who took over the dot. It was reported throughout the week that Dugger would have it. Jahlani Tavai was the defender with the green dot in Week 3. The Patriots couldn’t stop the Jets and they saw 73 defensive snaps. Tavai saw 100%. Raekwon McMillan slid into Tavai’s role and saw 73% of the snaps. He seemed to be off the field for most 3rd and long situations, and passing situations, like the end of the first-half when the Pats were in dime for the final 4 plays.
After seeing around 76% of the snaps in the first-half, his usage scaled back significantly in the second and ended up on just 6 snaps in the 4th quarter. McMillan was productive, but had a few bad missed tackles. Before you invest heavily in McMillan, he received a 46.8 PFF grade, so I think his playing time is on shaky ground compared to Tavai’s. Tavai is the LB to target first. McMillan is an LB4/5 target in deeper leagues.
Week 3 Green Dot: Jahlani Tavai
New Orleans Saints
It looked like Demario Davis was off the field on the final drive of the game and Pete Werner wore the dot. Up until then, Davis was on for every snap and wore the dot. Werner ended up appearing in 100% of the snaps. The Saints were in nickel for most of the game. Willie Gay saw 41% of the snaps and was in on every snap of the final drive. Keep an eye on Demario Davis this week, as it was reported he might have suffered a hamstring injury.
Week 3 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
Bobby Okereke was the lone full-time LB for the Giants, as he was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Although he had 8 tackles, just one was a solo, as he was around the ball to clean up on tackles. After seeing nearly 80% of the snaps in Week 2, Micah McFadden saw just 71% of the snaps against the Browns. He had a solid game with 6 tackles (5 solos) and a half-sack. His production will be volatile week-to-week as his defensive usage varies.
Week 3 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets
CJ Mosley suffered a toe injury in Week 2 which held him out Week 3. Jamien Sherwood slid into Mosley’s role and wore the dot this week. Quincy Williams maintained his usual role and was the LB2. The Jets remained a nickel-heavy/2-LB defense. I’m not adding Sherwood to the chart, since we don’t know how long Mosley will be out. Sherwood will be a risky waiver pickup in Week 4 with Mosley’s return looming.
Week 3 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles hate Devin White, as for the second straight week, he was inactive. Zack Baun, once again, contributes double-digit tackles and has been an IDP-revelation. He now has 37 tackles and is producing a 20.2% tackle rate through 3 games. Nakobe Dean once again wore the dot in Week 3.
Week 3 Green Dot: Nakobe Dean
Pittsburgh Steelers
Patrick Queen was the lone full-time, yet alone three-down, LB for the Steelers in Week 3. Queen finally turned in a decent game with a 17.4% tackle rate, resulting in 8 tackles. He increased his season tackle rate from 5.3% to 8.6%. Elandon Roberts and Payton Wilson are droppable in redraft leagues.
Week 3 Green Dot: Patrick Queen
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers and Fred Warner managers got a bit of a scare when trainers looked at him on the field. He was able to get up and walk on his own power, so it doesn’t appear serious. Warner saw 58 snaps and wore the dot when on the field. De’Vondre Campbell was the LB2 and saw just over 80% of the snaps.
Week 3 Green Dot: Fred Warner
UPDATE 09/24/2024: De’Vondre Campbell owners will want to probably move on. It looks like he’s in danger of being benched if his struggles continue this week. His PFF grades haven’t been great (55.6 in 2024) and is coming off a 35.3 coverage grade where he got abused for 53 yards and a TD. Dee Winters is a name to keep in the back of your mind. Dre Greenlaw is targeting a midseason-ish return.
Seattle Seahawks
Jerome Baker was inactive and Tyrice Knight got the start alongside Tyrel Dodson. Dodson was on the field for all but 6 snaps and wore the dot. The Dolphins without Tua, were ultimately ineffective on offense no matter who was under center. Dodson’s day was saved with a sack while Knight finished with 6 tackles (5 solos). Knight saw just 55% of the snaps and was in a rotation with Drake Thomas at the beginning of the game. As the game went on, Thomas was poor in tackling and Knight ended up seeing more snaps in the 2nd half and near the end of the game. He might be a shaky LB4/5 and we’ll have to monitor Baker’s health.
Week 3 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This week, once again, the LB2 rotation held serve between KJ Britt and Sirvocea Dennis. Dennis had a few lapses in plays and played just half the game. Britt was off the field on most short and mid yardage to go situations. He was also off the field for 47% of the 3rd and long situations. Britt finished with 6 tackles and a 17.1% playing just 51% of the snaps, but his usage will make him volatile start in weekly leagues. Lavonte David saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot.
Week 3 Green Dot: Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans
Kenneth Murray continues to wear the dot for the Titans. Murray turned in a huge game with 8 tackles and added 2 big sacks. Murray and Ernest Jones were both on the field for 100% of the snaps, and the buy low window on Jones has officially closed. Jones turned in 13 tackles (10 solos), and now has 22 tackles in the last two games. If you’re still holding Jack Gibbens, you can drop him. The Titans were in nickel/2-LB for the entire game and Gibbens didn’t see a defensive snap.
Week 3 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray
Washington Commanders
Bobby Wagner was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Frankie Luvu had a full-time role and was on the field for all but 9 snaps when Washington was in dime. Luvu has settled into more of an off-ball linebacker over the last few weeks. After seeing 13 edge snaps in Week 1, he’s combined for 9 edge snaps over the last two games.
Week 3 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner
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