2024 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 5

Through four weeks, what have learned about full-time and green dot LBs for 2024?

Injuries at LB are continuing to mount and green dot responsibilities are shifting. As we look ahead to Week 5, let’s review who wore the dot in Week 4 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 4.

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*-Injured

Arizona Cardinals

Mack Wilson’s usage might be back in the good graces of IDP managers. He’s now had consecutive weeks of an 80% snap rate, as he saw 85% of the snaps in Week 4, as Arizona was in 2-LB packages for the majority of the game. Kyzir White was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. With injuries abounding at the LB position, Wilson looks to be an LB3/4, as long as he’s getting 80% of the snaps in a full-time role.

Week 4 Green Dot: Kyzir White

Atlanta Falcons

Kaden Elliss was the lone three-down LB in Atlanta. Elliss saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. It was, however, the Troy Andersen show. Andersen finished with a 28.6% tackle rate, resulting in 16 tackles. He also contributed to the scoring with a pick-6. Andersen’s snap rate fell below 80% this week, as he suffered a knee injury. The Falcons brought in Rashaan Evans to the practice squad, as he has some familiarity with the defense. Andersen managers are hoping it’s nothing serious. I might add JD Bertrand on waivers this week.

Week 4 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss

Baltimore Ravens

Roquan Smith was the lone full-time LB for the Ravens in Week 4 and wore the dot. The starters saw some of their snaps scaled back in the 4th with the game out of hand. Trenton Simpson saw just 63% of the snaps. It looks like Simpson saw just 30% of the 3rd downs, plus Baltimore was in dime for 21 snaps and he was the LB off the field. In shallow redraft leagues, you can drop Simpson.

Week 4 Green Dot: Roquan Smith

Buffalo Bills

The Bills were in nickel/2-LB for the majority of the game (all but 5 snaps, actually). Baylon Spector and Dorian Williams were the full-time LBs this week and Spector wore the dot. Williams and Spector sat for a few snaps in the 4th with the game out of hand. Spector’s IDP value is nearing its natural conclusion, as Terrel Bernard is nearing a return. He was doing drills at practice, so he could potentially be returning this week.

Week 4 Green Dot: Baylon Spector

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers lost both Josey Jewell and Shaq Thompson to injuries in Week 4. Thompson suffered a heel injury while Jewell suffered a groin injury. It was Trevin Wallace who wore the dot in relief of Thompson and Jewell. Thompson went out first, then Jewell. It’s now being reported that Thompson will miss the remainder of the season with an Achilles’ tear. We’ll have to monitor the severity of Jewell’s injury, however, Wallace looks to be the next man up.

Week 4 Green Dot: Shaq Thompson. Josey Jewell when Thompson exited. Trevin Wallace when Jewell exited.

Update 10/5/2024: As we head into Week 5, Trevin Wallace looks to be the three-down LB who’ll wear the dot with Thompson and Jewell out. When Jewell returns, he’ll wear the dot but Wallace will have value as the LB2, as he should see a full-time role. If RAS scores are your thing, here’s Wallace’s. Translation. It’s pretty good:

Chicago Bears

The Bears were in their usual nickel/2-LB defense in Week 4 but it wasn’t a great IDP day for Tremaine Edmunds: just 2 tackles while playing 100% of the snaps. TJ Edwards rebounded for a poor outing in Week 3 with 9 tackles (though just 3 solos). Edmunds is an LB3 even with his usage. He’s just been too erratic. Edwards is a weekly LB1.

Week 4 Green Dot: Tremaine Edmunds

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals were nickel-heavy in Week 4, as Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt were the primary off-ball LBs. Wilson saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot, while Pratt was on the field for 61% of the snaps. Wilson has recored double-digit tackles in three consecutive games and has turned into an elite tackler. Wilson and Pratt are each producing a 17% tackle rate.

Week 4 Green Dot: Logan Wilson

Cleveland Browns

Jordan Hicks was in and out of practice and his status varied throughout the day on Sunday. He ended up playing, but had to leave after just 5 snaps. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah took over the dot. Devin Bush came in as the LB2 opposite JOK in their nickel defense and he ended up playing 88% of the snaps. As of now, it’s being called an elbow injury for Hicks. Will Bush have IDP value in the year of our lord 2024? At the rate LBs are getting hurt, probably. If Hicks misses any games, Bush is looking at full-time role as the LB2.

Week 4 Green Dot: Jordan Hicks. Hicks got dinged up, and JOK took over the dot.

Update 10/5/2024: Hicks is out for Week 5, so JOK is the projected LB to wear the dot, just based on the fact he wore it when Hicks left. It’s possible Devin Bush gets it, but I’d say it’s fewer than a 30% chance. Bush should see a sizable role as the LB2, and I do think Cleveland wants to get a look at rookie, Nathanial Watson.

Dallas Cowboys

Eric Kendricks was on the field for all but one snap for the Cowboys and wore the dot. Demarvion Overshown’s usage is starting to trend in the right direction and I’ve added him back to the chart. After seeing 31% of the snaps in Week 2, he’s been on the field for at least 78% of the snaps in consecutive weeks. Against the Giants, he saw 86% of the snaps. Overshown did get dinged, but ended up returning to the game. Overshown saw 76% of the third downs. If you’re an Overshown manager, I think he’s safe to get into your lineup as a an LB3. Kendricks is a weekly LB1.

Week 4 Green Dot: Eric Kendricks

Denver Broncos

The Broncos and IDP managers suffered a huge blow with the loss of Alex Singleton for the season. Cody Barton, as of now, is next man up. Barton saw 100% of the snaps, wore the dot on defense, and recorded 10 tackles. Justin Strnad saw 77% of the snaps, and after getting off to a hot start, didn’t do too much in the second half. Denver looked to be in dime/single-LB for 23% of the snaps. Strnad has value in deeper leagues if you’re starting four or more LBs. I was happy to see a snap rate above 70%.

Week 4 Green Dot: Cody Barton

Detroit Lions

Is Jack Campbell turning into the Kyle Pitts of IDP? A player taken high in the draft with all the talent and just not utilized the way we hoped. Unfortunately for us IDP’ers, Dan Campbell is utilizing him in the best way he sees fit. Even with Derrick Barnes out (who’s been basically an edge as opposed to off-ball LB), Campbell saw 68% of the snaps. Coach Campbell even introduced a bit more Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Ben Niemann into our lives. Alex Anzalone returned from a concussion and was the lone full-time LB and wore the dot.

Week 4 Green Dot: Alex Anzalone

Green Bay Packers

It looked like the Packers were in 3-LB looks for just over 30% of the game, as Edgerrin Cooper saw 21 snaps in Week 4. Quay Walker was the lone three-down LB on the defense and wore the dot. Walker had a rough game with some coverage lapses, but picked up a few big plays in crunch time, even in a loss. Walker would finish with 8 tackles and a sack. Isaiah McDuffie saw 75% of the snaps, as the Packers were in single-LB at a higher rate this week.

Week 4 Green Dot: Quay Walker

Houston Texans

Houston was nickel-heavy in Week 4, as they featured two off-ball LBs. Azeez Al-Shaair wore the dot and saw 100% of the snaps. Henry To’oTo’o was on the field for all but one snap in Week 4. To’oTo’o still has value for as long as Christian Harris remains out.

Week 4 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts defense didn’t play 80 snaps, though they got close (70). Zaire Franklin and EJ Speed were both three-down LBs, as the Colts went nickel for the entire game. Speed has been all over the place, as he’s recorded 37 tackles over his last three games. Franklin and Speed are weekly LB1s.

Week 4 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are having a rough go at the LB position. Foyesade Oluokun was placed on IR and will miss at least the next four weeks. Devin Lloyd popped up on the injury report with a bum knee and was inactive for Week 4. This meant an expanded role for Chad Muma and Ventrell Miller. Muma wore the dot on defense and saw 95% of the snaps. Miller was in a full-time role, as he 84% of the snaps. Miller and Muma combined for 18 tackles, with Miller leading the way with 10. Yasir Abdullah figured into the rotation, as he saw 39% of the snaps. The value for Muma and Miller rests in the health of Lloyd. It’s tough to recommend either from the wire with the uncertainty of Lloyd’s injury.

Week 4 Green Dot: Chad Muma

Kansas City Chiefs

I think I prefer Drue Tranquill to Nick Bolton at this point. If Drue is on your wire, make him a priority add. Bolton saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Tranquill saw all but 4 snaps and recorded 10 tackles, improving his tackle rate to 10.9%. Tranquill is looking like a dependable LB3. Bolton’s tackle production has fallen off a cliff and I think this what he is now. The Chiefs continue to run out their 3-LB packages at a high rate, as Leo Chenal saw 57% of the snaps.

Week 4 Green Dot: Nick Bolton

Las Vegas Raiders

Robert Spillane was the lone full-time LB for the Raiders in Week 4. He saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Luke Masterson, once again, filled in for the inactive Divine Deablo. However, the Raiders spent a lot of time in dime/singe-LB looks, that Masterson saw just 57% of the snaps. Outside of deeper leagues, I have no interest in Masterson.

Week 4 Green Dot: Robert Spillane

Los Angeles Chargers

We finally see some stability with the Chargers’ LB situation, and then Daiyan Henley gets injured. He suffered an arm injury mid-way through the 4th, which caused him to miss a few plays. He wrapped up the shoulder and returned to the game. While Henley was out, it was Troy Dye who wore the dot. Denzel Perryman played fewer than 75% of the snaps, but still managed a productive day. We’ll have to keep monitoring Junior Colson’s hamstring and now Henley. The Chargers head into their bye week, so I wouldn’t waste a move on Dye.

Week 4 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley

Los Angeles Rams

Once again, Troy Reeder was on the field for all but 4 snaps and wore the dot. Reeder turned in an OK game (from an IDP standpoint) with a 13% tackle rate. Christian Rozeboom was on the field for 69% of the snaps and recorded 11 tackles. Rozeboom was off the field for most 3rd downs and the Rams were in dime/single-LB for 31% of the snaps. At the rate linebackers are getting hurt, Rozeboom is an LB4 in deeper leagues if you need injury replacements. If Rams Twitter were in charge, Rozeboom and Reeder would be off the team yesterday.

Week 4 Green Dot: Troy Reeder

Miami Dolphins

David Long was inactive in Week 4, and Anthony Walker took over the dot responsibilities for Long. Walker turned in a decent game with 8 tackles and appeared in 91% of the snaps. Walker is worth the pickup and hold in the event Long continues to miss games. Jordyn Brooks was on for 100% of the snaps and was all over the field. He finished with 13 tackles. Brooks remains a weekly LB1/2. The Dolphins remain a nickel-heavy/2-LB defense.

Week 4 Green Dot: Anthony Walker

Minnesota Vikings

Ivan Pace was inactive again for Week 4, but Kamu Grugier-Hill would see just 35% of the snaps. He did produce an INT in his second consecutive game. Blake Cashman was the lone full-time LB and saw 100% of the snaps while wearing the dot. Cashman finished with 11 tackles and improved his tackle rate to 13.1%. Pace is on track to return next week, so KGH’s little IDP value would disappear in Week 5. The Vikings continue to look like a 6-DB/single-LB heavy defense.

Week 4 Green Dot: Blake Cashman

New England Patriots

Kyle Dugger emerged as the new play caller of the defense. An injury knocked him out near the end of the 2nd quarter. However, it wasn’t Jahlani Tavai who took it back, it was Jabrill Peppers. Tavai still had a full-time role, as did Raekwon McMillan. Tavai ended up seeing 90% of the snaps and McMillan was on for nearly 80% of the snaps.

Week 4 Green Dot: Kyle Dugger. When Dugger left, Jabrill Peppers wore the dot.

New Orleans Saints

With Demario Davis inactive, Pete Werner filled in for Davis and wore the dot. Werner saw 100% of the snaps. Willie Gay got the start, but unfortunately, a hand injury ended his day early, as he saw just a handful of snaps. D’Marco Jackson would slot in Gay’s role and play 75% of the snaps. The severity of Gay’s injury is unknown, but he was unable to return. Jackson’s IDP value rests on the health of Davis and Gay. The Saints were in single-LB for about 18% of the snaps, so there is value with the LB2.

Week 4 Green Dot: Pete Werner

New York Giants

Bobby Okereke was the lone three-down LB for the Giants in Week 4. He saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. His production has been a disappointment thus far, and his tackle rate has dipped to 10%. Micah McFadden saw 75% of the snaps and was off the field for 80% of the third down plays. He’s still in the conversation as a match up play LB4. He’s recorded 8 or more tackles in two of his last three games.

Week 4 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke

New York Jets

CJ Mosley was inactive once again for Week 4. Jamien Sherwood wore the dot this week and had a full-time role alongside Quincy Williams. Sherwood and Williams each contributed 7 tackles. The Jets continue to be nickel-heavy defense, and Sherwood’s IDP value will continue to rely on Mosley’s toe.

Week 4 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood

Philadelphia Eagles

It looked like Zack Baun got some time with the dot this week, as he was the off-ball LB when Philly went dime. Nakobe Dean wore the dot in base/nickel formations. It was a “meh” week for the two linebackers. Baun/Dean should remain in your lineup for Week 5. I don’t have an issue with streaming or using Dean as a matchup play. Dean is not a must-start.

Week 4 Green Dot: Nakobe Dean/Zack Baun

Pittsburgh Steelers

Payton Wilson might be pulling away from Elandon Roberts in the LB2 rotation. Wilson out-snapped Roberts 37 to 21 in Week 4. Wilson’s usage rate was just under 60% (56.1%). Patrick Queen saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Queen has been underwhelming through 4 games in Pittsburgh. If you have the depth and space, I might just stash Payton Wilson for the hell of it.

Week 4 Green Dot: Patrick Queen

San Francisco 49ers

We’ll need to keep an eye on Fred Warner this week. Warner got hurt near the end of the first half and was deemed questionable to return, but didn’t see a snap in the second half. Warner would finish with 28 snaps. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles got the three-down role when he didn’t return and ended up wearing the dot. De’Vondre Campbell’s job was rumored to be in jeopardy, but with this injury to Warner, he might have a stay of execution. DFF suffered an injury near the end of the game and, rookie, Tatum Bethune, played a few snaps with the dot. Keep an eye on Warner and DFF’s injuries. Bethune could have some IDP value this week.

Week 4 Green Dot: Fred Warner. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles took over the dot in the second-half. Tatum Bethune took over when DFF exited with an injury.

Seattle Seahawks

Tyrel Dodson was the lone three-down LB for Seattle. Dodson was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Tyrice Knight got the start alongside, but saw 74% of the snaps as he shared snaps with Drake Thomas. Thomas, however, saw just 9 total snaps. The Seahawks were in dime/single-LB for just 5 snaps, and Knight was the LB off the field, as well as the majority of 3rd downs (though there weren’t many). As long as Baker is out, Knight is still an LB3/4. Dodson is a weekly starter.

Week 4 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Lavonte David was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Sirvocea Dennis suffered a shoulder injury that knocked him out and allowed KJ Britt to have a full-time role. Britt would see 89% of the snaps. If Dennis is going to miss any games, Britt will be worth adding from the wire with thanks to injuries and with the bye weeks looming.

Week 4 Green Dot: Lavonte David

Tennessee Titans

Kenneth Murray saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot in Week 4. Ernest Jones saw all but 2 snaps. The Titans remain a nickel/2-LB featured defense, so Murray and Jones will remain weekly starters.

Week 4 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray

Washington Commanders

Bobby Wagner continues to do Bobby Wagner things: another double-digit tackle performance and coming up with big plays. Wagner wore the dot on defense as usual. Frankie Luvu played the most snaps on the edge since Week 1 (14) and he was able to record a half-sack. The Commanders continue to be a nickel-heavy defense featuring two off-ball LBs.

Week 4 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner

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