2024 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 7
Through six weeks, what have learned about full-time and green dot LBs for 2024?
One of the biggest injuries of the season didn’t happen at LB (get well soon, Hutch), but a few big names were bit by the injury bug this week. Kyzir White suffered a knee injury that knocked him out, and Azeez Al-Shaair suffered a knee injury of his own but was able to return. It’s something to keep an eye on. We also had a few linebackers return from injury. How did their return impact the snap counts of their teammates?
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 6.
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
Unfortunately, a knee injury knocked Kyzir White out of the game after just 21 snaps. Krys Barnes came in and wore the dot in relief of White and saw 100% of the snaps in the 2nd half. Mack Wilson, once again, had a full-time role this week as he saw 91% of the snaps. The Cards were nickel-heavy once again this week, and if Kyzir White’s injury is serious, Barnes will be a priority add as he looks to wear the dot should White miss any games.
Week 6 Green Dot: Kyzir White. Krys Barnes wore the dot when White exited.
Update 10/17/2024: I haven’t seen any updated practice reports, but the Cardinals brought in Rashaan Evans for a workout. If I were to guess, Kyzir White is on the doubtful side of questionable and could be week-to-week. Krys Barnes is looking line an LB2/3 this week. The Chargers are allowing 10.4 solos/7 assists per game to the LB position this season.
Atlanta Falcons
Nate Landman was activated off IR and returned to the field in Week 6. Troy Andersen has bad timing to be missing games with an injury. He was playing good football before the injury. Landman saw close to a full-time role as he saw 79% of the snaps and finished with a team-high 8 tackles. Atlanta was in dime/single-LB for around 20% of the snaps. Landman’s value lies with Andersen’s health at this point. Kaden Elliss was on for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. For a three-down guy, he just hasn’t been productive.
Week 6 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss
Update 10/17/2024: No Troy Andersen at practice, so Nate Landman could see a similar role from Week 6. The Seahawks are a tougher matchup for LBs, as they are allowing 8.8 solos/4.8 assists to the LB position.
Baltimore Ravens
Roquan Smith remains the lone Ravens LB to roster. Smith saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Smith had an average game, finishing with just 7 tackles. Unless it’s a bye week, he doesn’t leave your lineup. It looked like the Ravens went 3-safety heavy with Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, and Eddie Jackson. Trenton Simpson saw just 62% of the snaps. If you’re in a shallow league, you can safely drop him.
Week 6 Green Dot: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills
The Bills continue to be a nickel-based defense and feature two off-ball LBs. Terrel Bernard was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Dorian Williams had close to a three-down role as you can get, as he saw all but 3 snaps in Week 6. Bernard and Williams are weekly starters.
Week 6 Green Dot: Terrel Bernard
Carolina Panthers
Trevin Wallace didn’t record 15 tackles, so you can drop him. I’m kidding of course, but he still turned in a decent day with 9 tackles. Wallace saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot in Week 6. He had some trouble in run defense, but overall, tackled well and handled himself well in coverage. Claudin Cherilus was the LB2, but saw just 67% of the snaps, as he was the LB off the field in dime/single-LB. Cherilus was off on most passing situations it appeared. I think Wallace is playing well enough to see a full-time role when Josey Jewell returns. I do think Jewell wears the dot upon his return, but Wallace has more than stepped up to the role.
Week 6 Green Dot: Trevin Wallace
Update 10/17/2024: Josey Jewell was a DNP, as was Claudin Cherlius. If the practices trend this way, Trevin Wallace is in line for a three-down role and Chandler Wooten would slide into the LB2 spot and is looking at a 65% snap rate.
Chicago Bears
The Bears ran their usual defense even with Jaquan Brisker inactive. The Bears featured two off-ball LBs and Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards were on the field for 100% of the snaps. Edmunds wore the dot as usual. Jaguars have been a bottom 3rd offense in tackles allowed to the LB position, so Edwards and Edmunds will look to bounce back after the bye week in a favorable matchup with the Commanders.
Week 6 Green Dot: Tremaine Edmunds
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals continue to feature two off-ball LBs in their defense as they remain a nickel-heavy defense. Logan Wilson saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Germaine Pratt was off the field for all 3 of Cincinnati’s dime snaps, but those were the only snaps he missed. Pratt added a big INT to his 7 tackle day. Wilson and Pratt are weekly starters.
Week 6 Green Dot: Logan Wilson
Cleveland Browns
Although Jordan Hicks logged some limited practices, he was inactive in Week 6. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was the lone three-down LB for Cleveland, as he was on 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Mohamoud Diabate was activated off IR and was the LB2 and saw 71% of the snaps. Devin Bush went back to his LB3 role and was on the field for their base defense/3-LB packages. It looks like Hicks is close to returning, so Diabate and Bush will lose any remaining IDP value.
Week 6 Green Dot: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Dallas Cowboys
A report ahead of kick-off had Marist Liufau wearing the dot for the inactive Eric Kendricks. It was never Liufau. Damone Clark had it while he was on the field. Demarvion Overshown saw 93% of the snaps as he was off, for what looked like, the final series of the 4th. Clark’s day ended late in the 3rd, as Nick Vigil came in and played most of the 4th quarter with the dot. Clark will be the waiver wire target should Kendricks miss more games.
Week 6 Green Dot: Damone Clark
Denver Broncos
Cody Barton was the lone full-time LB, as he was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. The Broncos went dime/single-LB for 19 snaps, as Justin Strnd saw nearly a full-time role, with 76% of the snaps. Strnad had a solid day in losing effort, recording 7 tackles and adding a big sack. Barton just seemed a step short, recording just 1 solo tackle and 7 assists. Even with Strnad’s usage, he’s putting up useful IDP numbers as an LB3. If he’s still on your wire, he’s worth adding this week.
Week 6 Green Dot: Cody Barton
Detroit Lions
First off, prayers up to Aidan Hutchinson for a speedy recovery. DO NOT seek out the video of the injury; I implore you. The Lions didn’t need a true full-time LB, as the starters’ days ended early. Alex Anzalone played for the majority of the game and wore the dot. The rotation at LB2 continues, as Dan Campbell continues to rotate between Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
Week 6 Green Dot: Alex Anzalone
Green Bay Packers
Quay Walker is still the LB to roster in IDP leagues, but Edgerrin Cooper, like Gambit, is starting to make a name for himself. Walker was the lone three-down LB and wore the dot. There was a heavier rotation at the LB2 spot, as Cooper out-snapped Isaiah McDuffie 38-26. Cooper continues to grade well, as he had a solid day stopping the run and in coverage.
The Packers continue to be a nickel-heavy defense, so if Cooper can hit the 70% snap rate, he’ll have value headed down the stretch. I might want to be proactive and stash him in the event he usurps McDuffie for a full-time role.
Week 6 Green Dot: Quay Walker
Houston Texans
A knee injury limited Azeez Al-Shaair to just 31 snaps. A knee injury knocked him out near the end of the 2nd quarter and he ended up returning halfway through the 3rd. Neville Hewitt wore the dot while Al-Shaair was off the field. Henry To’oTo’o saw 83% of the snaps. The Texans were primarily a 2-LB defense with Al-Shaair/To’oTo’o/Hewitt. Since Al-Shaair was able to return, I wouldn’t spend any FAAB or a waiver priority on Hewitt, unless it’s one of those situations where the injury turns out to be more serious.
Week 6 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair
Indianapolis Colts
Once again, it’s clear that the Colts are a two off-ball defense with Zaire Franklin and EJ Speed. Both saw 100% of the snaps with Franklin wearing the dot. Franklin and Speed are weekly starters.
Week 6 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin
Jacksonville Jaguars
There was more of a rotation at the LB2 this week. Devin Lloyd is the clear LB1 with Foyesade Oluokun out. Ventrell Miller saw the majority of the snaps in the first half until the last defensive series of the half, where Chad Muma got 100% of those snaps on that drive. Miller saw more of the snaps in the second half and out-snapped Muma 43-36. Miller ended up with nearly 69% of the snaps.
Miller made some big tackles in the first half but had some unfortunate misses. He also gave up over 40 yards after the catch. Miller is the better run defender, but Muma seems like a sure tackler. The Jags looked to be in 3-LB packages for about 20% of the game and were more nickel-heavy, but as I mentioned, rotated at LB2. At this point, Miller is the preferred option in IDP leagues, however, he’s a short-term option with Foye slated to return from IR soon.
Week 6 Green Dot: Devin Lloyd
Kansas City Chiefs
Bye week.
Week 6 Green Dot: Bye Week
Las Vegas Raiders
Divine Deablo might be back on the IDP radar after Week 6. Deablo saw all but 5 snaps and ended up with a 92% snap rate, as the Raiders went nickel-heavy against Pittsburgh. Robert Spillane was on for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. The Raiders seemed to feature two off-ball LBs more as Pittsburgh went 12/13 personnel, so Deablo saw more snaps than normal. If the Raiders continue to use more nickel/2-LB packages, Deablo should have IDP value.
Week 6 Green Dot: Robert Spillane
Los Angeles Chargers
The three-headed monster has returned. Junior Colson is healthy and returned from missing the last few games. Daiyan Henley and Denzel Perryman started the first series with Henley wearing the dot. Perryman was off the field on 3rd downs/passing situations. The second series featured Perryman and Colson with Colson wearing the dot. The third series featured Henley and Colson with Henley wearing the dot.
This is pretty much how the rotation panned out. On dime/single-LB, Perryman and Colson were off the field when Henley was on. Henley was the LB closest to a full-time role, as he saw 77% of the snaps. Although the Chargers look to be a nickel-heavy/2-LB defense, the LB2 is playing around 57% of the snaps. If I’m a Henley manager, I don’t like the rotation, but relieved I have the LB getting the bulk of the snaps.
Week 6 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley/Junior Colson
Los Angeles Rams
Bye week.
Week 6 Green Dot: Bye Week
Miami Dolphins
Bye week.
Week 6 Green Dot: Bye Week
Minnesota Vikings
Bye week.
Week 6 Green Dot: Bye Week
Update 10/17/2024: Blake Cashman is out this week and could be out next week, as well. If Ivan Pace is on your wire, grab him. He looks to have a three-down role with the dot this week. The Lions are allowing 10.2 solos/9.0 assists to the LB position, so he should be busy this week.
New England Patriots
As I mentioned last week, Jahlani Tavai continues to see a reduction in snaps, and this week, he saw his lowest snap rate of the season (78%). Marte Mapu continues to get snaps at off-ball LB; however, he didn’t wear the dot as reported on Patriots.com. It was Kyle Dugger who wore the dot, as he did a few weeks ago before getting hurt. Raekwon McMillan is droppable in most formats, as he saw just 55% of the snaps. Christian Elliss is seeing snaps (23) and Sione Takitaki was activated off IR and saw 9 snaps. Even though Mapu isn’t wearing the dot, he’s worth an add, as he’s playing 45% of his snaps as an off-ball LB.
Week 6 Green Dot: Kyle Dugger
New Orleans Saints
Pete Werner was inactive once again in Week 6, and with Willie Gay available, he was the clear LB2 opposite Demario Davis. Gay, however, saw just 69% of the snaps and was off the field on most passing situations. He finished with 4 tackles and a sack saved his IDP day. Anfernee Orji was the clear LB3 and he saw just 8 snaps. Gay might have value in deeper leagues, but I think you can find more productive options on your wire.
Week 6 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
Bobby Okereke was the lone three-down LB for the Giants, as he was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Another disappointing day, as he managed just 5 tackles. He now has 3 straight games of 6 tackles or fewer. Micah McFadden saw 77% of the snaps but was off the field for most 3rd downs and when they were in dime. McFadden’s defensive usage makes him a volatile LB3/4 in deeper formats.
Week 6 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets
Well, there’s easing in and there’s not utilizing a player. Unfortunately, CJ Mosley just wasn’t utilized as he returned from a toe injury. Mosley saw just 9 snaps. Ahead of the game, Jamien Sherwood had hurt his hand in practice, but Mosley’s role was up in the air. I figured a rotation between Sherwood and Mosley, but Sherwood played 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Sherwood has played well enough to stay on the field and is quicker, however, Mosley might be the better communicator. Whoever ends up wearing the dot going forward will have the IDP value since the Jets are in their base defense for 10% of their snaps. As of now, if you have the roster space, hold on to both.
Week 6 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood
Philadelphia Eagles
Coming out of the bye week, the Eagles deployed their typical nickel-heavy defense. They featured two off-ball LBs, as Nakobe Dean wore the dot and Zack Baun was the other three-down LB opposite Dean. Dean struggled in coverage and missed on a few tackles. Baun had a decent all-around game, recording 8 tackles and doing a decent job stopping the run.
Week 6 Green Dot: Nakobe Dean
Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 6 might have been Patrick Queen’s ceiling game. Queen saw 100% of the snaps and recorded 13 tackles. The Steelers went back to their rotation at LB2 with Payton Wilson and Elandon Roberts. Roberts was on for 27 snaps while Wilson saw 25. I don’t think the Steelers are gonna mess with what isn’t broken.
Week 6 Green Dot: Patrick Queen
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers weren’t in dime for any snaps in Week 6. Fred Warner saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. De’Vondre Campbell was on the field for all but 5 snaps but managed just 3 solo tackles. He’s definitely lost a few steps and he’s definitely a drop candidate for someone more productive. Dee Winters acted as the LB3 in their base defense and saw 5 snaps in nickel over Campbell. Warner is the only LB from the 49ers I want on my roster.
Week 6 Green Dot: Fred Warner
Seattle Seahawks
Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker were your three-down LBs for the Seahawks in Week 6. They were nickel-heavy and featured two off-ball LBs for the entire game, with the exception of one dime snap. Baker and Dodson each recorded 7 tackles, with Dodson wearing the dot.
Week 6 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I’m not confident in KJ Britt maintaining his three-down role. As of now, he’s being used more out of necessity than being an actual good football player. Once again, his weakness in pass coverage stood out, as he was burned for 96 yards while allowing 42 yards after the catch. Lavonte David also saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Tampa continues to be nickel-heavy, so until Britt actually loses his job, he’ll still have weekly IDP value. Keep track of when Sirvocea Dennis returns, because that will signal the end of Britt’s IDP value more ominous than Undertaker’s gong.
Week 6 Green Dot: Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans
The Titans were nickel-heavy in Week 6 and featured two off-ball LBs. Kenneth Murray and Ernest Jones each saw 100% of the snaps with Murray wearing the dot. It will be interesting to see if the Titans change their philosophy or alignment with Murray not playing particularly well. He’s had just one game above a 65 PFF grade. From an IDP standpoint, he’s producing, but we’ll see if his snaps get limited. The Titans are shallow at LB, so they may not make a change mid-season. Jones continues to play well.
Week 6 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray
Washington Commanders
Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu were the three-down LBs for the Commanders this week, as they went nickel-heavy against Baltimore. Luvu had a rough game, managing just 2 tackles and a 38.9 grade. I’d look for Luvu to rebound next week.
Week 6 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner
Be sure to subscribe to The IDP Show on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.