2024 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 8
Through seven weeks, what have learned about full-time and green dot LBs for 2024?
We’re almost at the mid-point of the season. It’s time to key in on snap rates and who’s seeing an increase or decrease in their usage, from either a change in philosophy or just playing poorly.
There are some injuries to watch throughout the week, but here’s a look at the full-time/green dot linebackers from Week 7, to help you get a head start on Week 8.
Update 10/23/2024: Added Daiyan Henley. Although there’s a rotation, he has emerged as a full-time player.
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
After being questionable all week, Kyzir White was active for Week 7 and saw 100% of the snaps. White wore the dot and finished with 10 tackles (3 solos). Mack Wilson’s full-time role continued, as he saw all but 7 snaps, although the production didn’t translate. The Cards continued to be nickel-heavy defense, as they were in dime/single-LB for just a handful of snaps. Wilson’s production continues to be spotty, so he’ll be a matchup play in deeper leagues.
Week 7 Green Dot: Kyzir White
Atlanta Falcons
Troy Andersen was inactive once again in Week 7, and Kaden Elliss and Nate Landman each saw 100% of the snaps. It was Elliss who wore the dot, as usual. Atlanta features two off-ball LBs in their defense, however, Landman’s snaps are in danger once Andersen returns.
Week 7 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss
Baltimore Ravens
Roquan Smith was in on 100% of the snaps and wore the dot for the Ravens in Week 7. He saw Grant Stuard’s tackles this week, and like LA Knight said, “Nuh uh!!!” and recorded 18 tackles. Malik Harrison was inactive this week, so that opened up more snaps for Trenton Simpson. Or so we thought. Simpson saw 80% of the snaps in the first-half, but as the game got out of hand, the Bucs were passing to catch up and the Ravens were in dime for 21 snaps in the second half. Simpson saw just 20 total snaps in the second-half, and ended up with just 61% of the snaps. He was efficient with his first-half snaps, his usage in the second limited him to 2 tackles in the second-half.
Simpson remains an inconsistent option in IDP leagues and Smith is really the only Ravens LB to own in IDP leagues.
Week 7 Green Dot: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills
Things were looking good for Terrel Bernard, but a head injury (cleared to return) and an ankle injury knocked him out. It was Baylon Spector who replaced Bernard and wore the dot when he was on the field. The Bills remained nickel, but did deploy dime/single-LB packages (mainly in the 4th quarter), as Dorian Williams saw 73% of the snaps. Spector ended up with 20 total snaps. Williams remains a high-upside LB2 thanks to his elite tackle efficiency. I see no reason to bench him. If Bernard’s injury causes him to miss a game or two, Spector will be a priority add.
Week 7 Green Dot: Terrel Bernard. Baylon Spector wore it when Bernard left the game.
Carolina Panthers
It seemed like every secondary LB was inactive this week. The Panthers were without Josey Jewell, John Rhattigan, and Claudin Cherilus. Chandler Wooten got the start for the Panthers and saw 73% of the snaps. Trevin Wallace saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot once again. The injury status for all these guys is up in the air heading into Week 8. I’m not even sure Jewell will get a full-time role when he returns.
Week 7 Green Dot: Trevin Wallace
Chicago Bears
Bye week.
Week 7 Green Dot: Bye Week
Cincinnati Bengals
Nothing out of the ordinary for the Bengals in Week 7. They’re a nickel defense and Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt are three-down LBs. Pratt and Wilson took advantage of a good matchup and combined for 23 tackles, with Pratt leading the way with 13. Wilson continues to wear the dot. Pratt and Wilson are weekly starters.
Week 7 Green Dot: Logan Wilson
Cleveland Browns
Jordan Hicks returned in Week 7 but didn’t wear the dot. He was in a rotation at LB2 with Mohamoud Diabate. Hicks might be getting eased in after missing the last few games. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah continues to be the lone three-down LB and continues to wear the dot. Unless anything changes with Hicks, JOK is likely the lone Cleveland LB to roster.
Week 7 Green Dot: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Dallas Cowboys
Bye week.
Week 7 Green Dot: Bye Week
Denver Broncos
Ahead of Week 7, Kwon Alexander was elevated from the practice squad. I figured he’d have a role on base downs or as an emergency LB. He actually got the start ahead of Justin Strnad and played in 58% of the first half snaps. Strnad played just 5 first half snaps. Roles switched, as Alexander played just 5 snaps in the 2nd half, while Strnad played 74% of the snaps in the 2nd. The Broncos featured two off-ball LBs in their nickel defense for 76% of the snaps and were in dime for 24% of the time. Alexander ended up with 30% of the snaps while Strnad saw 60%.
Cody Barton was the lone three-down LB as he saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Barton filled the stat sheet with 8 tackles/fumble recovery/sack. Barton took the recovery for a TD resulting in 0.46 points per snap. Strnad is going to be a risky LB3/4 with Alexander on the team.
Week 7 Green Dot: Cody Barton
Detroit Lions
Alex Anzalone was the lone three-down LB, but it’s worth noting Jack Campbell had close to a full-time role in Week 7. Campbell saw 78% of the snaps and had a productive day with 7 tackles and a sack. Anzalone saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Malcolm Rodriguez still saw his usual 53% snap rate in their base defense. I’m hopeful that Campbell’s usage continues in the wake of Aidan Hutchinson’s leg injury.
Week 7 Green Dot: Alex Anzalone
Green Bay Packers
Quay suffered a concussion that limited him to just 13 snaps. Eric Wilson wore the dot in his absence and appeared in 100% of the snaps post-Quay. There was a continued rotation between Edgerrin Cooper and Isaiah McDuffie, with McDuffie slightly outsnapping Cooper 44-41. The Packers were in nickel for most of the game, but with the rotation at LB2, it’s hard to rely on one for IDP. I still give the nod to Cooper. Wilson is going to be your waiver target if Quay misses any time.
Week 7 Green Dot: Quay Walker. Eric Wilson when Walker exited.
Update 10/25/2024: Be careful with Quay Walker this week, and going forward. Jeff Hafley has stated that Eric Wilson has earned more snaps, especially in early downs and run stopping. He’s been a bit better in run defense and Walker is still making the same mistakes, especially on inside runs. Walker does have the advantage in coverage thanks to his length. Walker and Wilson could start rotating snaps with the dot, but Walker isn’t going to get benched outright. Hafley has already made changes to the secondary, so it appears the LB group could be next. If I’m a Walker owner, I’m a little concerned. I might not start him if I have other options.
Houston Texans
The Texans were down their two off-ball LBs, as Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o were inactive. There wasn’t much change in their defense, as they continue to be nickel-heavy. Jake Hansen and Neville Hewitt each saw 100% of the snaps and it was Hewitt who wore the dot. Not too much of a surprise, since he wore it when Al-Shaair left last week. Hewitt and Hansen combined for 16 tackles with Hewitt leading the way with 9. Keep an eye on both, Al-Shaair and To’oTo’o, this week. Hansen and Hewitt will both be targets as productive injury replacements.
Week 7 Green Dot: Neville Hewitt
Indianapolis Colts
EJ Speed showed up as doubtful on the injury report this weekend and ended up inactive. The question was, who would get the nickel snaps alongside Zaire Franklin? Segun Olubi had been a thorn in the side in the past, but it was Jaylon Carlies who got the nickel snaps. Grant Stuard got the snaps on base/3-LB packages. Carlies suffered an ankle injury and was seen in a walking boot and on crutches (not great). Stuard got the nickel snaps once Carlies left. The Colts are typically a nickel defense, so if Speed and Carlies are going to miss time, Stuard is the waiver target here.
Week 7 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin
Update 10/25/2024: EJ Speed is back practicing, so he appears to be good to go this week.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Ventrell Miller continues to be an efficient tackler despite his limited snaps. This week, Miller played 64% of the snaps but recorded a 25.7% tackle rate, resulting in 9 tackles. If Miller is still available, he’s still worth adding in deeper leagues. His IDP value might be reaching its natural conclusion with the potential return of Foyesade Oluokun. There’s no news on when he’s returning, but it could be soon. Devin Lloyd was off the field for a handful of snaps but wore the dot in Week 7. Chad Muma continues to get around 40% of the snaps in their base defense.
Week 7 Green Dot: Devin Lloyd
Kansas City Chiefs
Nick Bolton was on the field for all but a handful of snaps and wore the dot while on the field. San Francisco is a tougher matchup for LBs, as Bolton managed just 6 tackles. Drue Tranquill saw 79% of the snaps, but LB2s against SF have a tougher time, as he recorded just 3 tackles.
Week 7 Green Dot: Nick Bolton
Las Vegas Raiders
The Rams had been a top-10 team in terms of tackles allowed to the LB position, so it was a surprise to see Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo combine for just 9 tackles. Spillane saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. It also might be time to add Deablo to the chart, as he’s now been on the field 93% of the snaps in consecutive weeks. If you’ve been decimated by injuries, Deablo appears worthy of an addition, as the Raiders have been nickel-heavy over the last few weeks.
Week 7 Green Dot: Robert Spillane
Los Angeles Chargers
The 3-man rotation is turning into a 2.5 man rotation. Daiyan Henley was the lone full-time off-ball LB, as he saw 81% of the snaps. Denzel Perryman and Junior Colson continue to rotate series, and Colson/Perryman are also getting time on the field in their nickel defense with Henley off the field. Henley saw just 46 total snaps while Perryman out snapped Colson 33-31. Henley is the only LB to roster in IDP leagues, but it still remains a frustrating situation.
Week 7 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley/Junior Colson
Los Angeles Rams
I’m not sure how much longer the Rams will play Troy Reeder. Looking at initial PFF grades, he graded 47.1 overall and 36.6 in coverage. Over the bye week, Sean McVay had mentioned getting other LBs involved, like Omar Speights and Jake Hummel, but they were nowhere to be seen. Christian Rozeboom saw just 51% of the snaps after seeing an increase in snap rate thanks to the nickel usage. That came crashing back to earth, as LA went more dime/single-LB. I’m still weary of Reeder and I might use today’s game as a sell-high, as he finished with 9 tackles
Week 7 Green Dot: Troy Reeder
Miami Dolphins
Jordyn Brooks was the lone three-down LB for the Dolphins in Week 7. David Long got the start and wore the dot, but as the game went on, there was more of a rotation at the playcaller spot. Long saw 68% of the snaps and Anthony Walker saw time with the dot, as he saw 47% of the snaps. Brooks is the only Miami LB to roster at this point.
Week 7 Green Dot: David Long/Anthony Walker
Minnesota Vikings
Blake Cashman ended up inactive, as he suffered a turf toe injury in London. This opened the door for Ivan Pace Jr. Pace saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. From an IDP standpoint, Pace smashed with 10 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery for a TD. Kamu Grugier-Hill saw just 9 snaps, as the Vikings used a combination of Dallas Turner and Josh Metellus at off-ball LB. Metellus played 56% of his snaps at off-ball LB. The Vikings are a dime/single-LB defense, so when Cashman returns, Pace probably goes back to a part-time role. A turf toe injury can be tricky, so Cashman isn’t guaranteed to return next week.
Week 7 Green Dot: Ivan Pace
New England Patriots
As I mentioned last week, Jahlani Tavai and Raekwon McMillan were seeing decreases in snaps, and McMillan hadn’t been grading well. McMillan lost the starting job to Christian Elliss. Tavai and Elliss started the game and it looks like Elliss was the LB to get the dime/single-LB snaps when they were on the field together. Tavai ended up playing 85% of the snaps, but he struggled all day tackling and in coverage, as he was credited with 2 misses. He’s droppable in shallow leagues. Elliss was a bit better against the run but also was a liability in coverage. Elliss was on for 67% of the snaps while McMillan saw 20%. If you haven’t already, you can drop McMillan. Kyle Dugger continues to wear the dot on defense.
Week 7 Green Dot: Kyle Dugger
New Orleans Saints
Demario Davis was the lone full-time LB and wore the dot for the Saints in Week 7. Pete Werner was inactive once again, and Willie Gay got the majority of the snaps at LB2 opposite Davis. Gay saw 77% of the snaps but finished with just 2 tackles. Anfernee Orji saw a few more snaps than last week, as he was on the field for 40% of the snaps. Although the Saints are nickel-heavy, the Saints were in dime/single-LB for 13 snaps.
Week 7 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
I have no idea what to make of Bobby Okereke. He’s a three-down player, so it’s tough to drop him. I think at this point, he’s unplayable. If you’re in a shallow league, playing 1-2 LBs weekly, he’s a safe drop. Okereke sat for the 4th quarter, but he wore the dot when he was on the field. Micah McFadden saw 77% of the snaps but was the LB off the field in dime/single-LB. Darius Muasau saw some garbage time snaps, but nothing to get too excited over. I think you need to bench Okerke at this point.
Week 7 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets
CJ Mosley continues his ramp-up and appeared in 22 snaps in Week 7. Jamien Sherwood continued to be the three-down LB opposite Quincy Williams. Sherwood also wore the dot, as Mosley continued to be used in their base defense and off on nickel. As a Sherwood manager, I’m holding until I hear that Mosley is taking over the dot. Mosley looked quicker this week and Sherwood had a few spots where he didn’t look good or was in a bad spot.
Week 7 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood
Philadelphia Eagles
Nakobe Dean continues to wear the dot, as he saw 100% of the snaps in Week 7. It looks like we got Dean’s ceiling game, as he recorded 11 tackles and added 2 sacks. Zack Baun saw all but one snap but recorded just 6 tackles. Are we starting to see some tackle regression from Baun? After recording 37 tackles in the first three games, he has 20 in his last three. Baun’s snaps and usage in the defense keep him in the LB2/3 conversation. Keep an eye on the production.
Week 7 Green Dot: Nakobe Dean
Pittsburgh Steelers
Patrick Queen was the lone full-time LB and wore the dot in Week 7. Queen had his 4th game of fewer than 7 tackles. Elandon Roberts and Payton Wilson continued to rotate at LB2 in Pittsburgh’s nickel defense. Wilson is an extremely efficient player and just has a nose for the ball. He’s definitely getting to the tackle quicker than Queen, as he finished with a 29% tackle rate, and has a 24.5% tackle rate over the last three weeks. Is Wilson the new Alex Singleton? Wilsington?
Week 7 Green Dot: Patrick Queen
San Francisco 49ers
In case you missed my Week 7 waiver article, I mentioned that De’Vondre Campbell is a drop candidate. Campbell is now in a rotation with Dee Winters, as Winters saw some snaps in nickel and base. Cambell saw just 71% of the snaps while Winters’s usage and snap rate is creeping up, as he saw 58% of the snaps. Now, all of this might be moot as Dre Greenlaw is looming. Warner was the lone three-down LB, as he saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot.
Week 7 Green Dot: Fred Warner
Seattle Seahawks
Tyrel Dodson saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot in Week 7. Jerome Baker had close to a three-down role, as he saw all but 3 snaps. The Seahawks remain a nickel-heavy defense under Mike Macdonald and Aden Durde. Bills are middle of the road in tackles allowed to LB in Week 8.
Week 7 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson
Update 10/23/2024: The Seahawks acquired Ernest Jones and traded away Jerome Baker. At this point, I do think both players keep their IDP value. Dodson’s production had been trending down, and it probably won’t help with Jones’s speed and downhill abilities. The Seahawks have been primarily a nickel/2-LB heavy defense, so Dodson should remain a three-down LB. My question is if he’ll continue to wear the dot. For this week, I’d imagine Tyrice Knight and Tyrel Dodson will have the three-down role until Jones gets acclimated to the defense. Jones should probably be on your bench in shallow leagues.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nothing different for the Bucs this week. Lavonte David and KJ Britt each saw 100% of the snaps and David wore the dot. In a favorable matchup, Britt and David combined for just 8 tackles with David having his floor game in Week 7 with just 2 tackles.
Week 7 Green Dot: Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans
Kenneth Murray suffered a shoulder injury that knocked him out; however, he returned in the 4th quarter and recorded a tackle late in the 4th. It’s worth noting that Jack Gibbens wore the dot while Murray was out. Ernest Jones was on the field for all but one snap. It’s a good sign Murray was able to return. The Titans remain a nickel defense, so both LBs continue to have IDP value. Should anything happen to Murray, Gibbens is going to be the waiver target.
Week 7 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray
Update 10/23/2024: The Titans traded away Ernest Jones for Jerome Baker. I think Baker’s IDP value remains the same, as Tennessee is also a nickel/2-LB defense. If anything, this might help Kenneth Murray, since Baker’s a bit slower these days. I’m benching Baker and probably adding Jack Gibbens as a streamer, since I don’t see Baker playing until gets acquainted with the defense.
Washington Commanders
The Panthers managed just 43 offensive snaps, so not a whole lot to glean from this game. Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu were the full-time LBs, with Wagner wearing the dot. Not a whole lot you can accomplish in 43 snaps. It was nice to see Luvu get a sack, but I was shocked Wagner managed 6 tackles.
Week 7 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner
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