A full Sunday of the NFL is in the books. Before we look ahead to Week 2, let’s digest what happened in Week 1. What did we learn from the defensive schemes now that the regular season has begun? Who are the LBs we should target, and who can we move on from? A quicker reminder, though, before we get going:
What is the green dot?
Think of him as the quarterback of the defense. He has the comms helmet with the green helmet sticker, relays play calls from the defense coordinator to the rest of the defense, and is responsible for getting everyone aligned before the snap. Most of the time, it’s a linebacker wearing the dot, but we’ve seen safeties take on that role, too.
Here’s how the snaps and usage played out in Week 1.
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
So, it looks like Mack Wilson is the green dot, but there doesn’t appear to be a strong candidate for LB2. The Cardinals appeared to be in dime/single-LB for most of the game, as Akeem Davis-Gaither saw just 28 snaps. You can drop Davis-Gaither in most formats, especially if the Cardinals are going to be in dime/3-safety looks. Gaither’s usage was below 40% across early downs and 3rd down. Arizona did run quite a bit of zone coverage (77%), which is going to be good for Wilson’s IDP outlook. Wilson got off to a good start with 8 tackles. If you’re in a shallow league, he’s worth a look.
Week 1 Green Dot: Mack Wilson
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were in nickel for most of the game, and Atlanta featured two off-ball LBs with Kaden Elliss and Divine Deablo. We expected this kind of usage for Deablo given the way Raheem Morris talked him up, but it was still good to see it play out in a regular game. Deablo saw all but one snap (early down) and added a half-sack, so Morris is going to continue to use his LBs as additional pass rushers. Deablo will be worth adding in deeper leagues as an LB3/4. Elliss was in on every snap and wore the dot. Atlanta was in zone for over 80% of their snaps, which is good thing for the LBs.
Week 1 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss
Baltimore Ravens
Roquan Smith was the lone three-down LB in Baltimore’s defense. Smith saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Smith recorded 10 tackles (8 solos) and looked like Roquan. The Ravens defense saw 85 snaps, which is nearly a game and a half. Unfortunately, it looks like there’s a rotation at LB2, and Trenton Simpson is not on the higher side. Simpson saw just 31% of the snaps while Teddye Buchanan was in on just 34% of the snaps. I wonder how long until Jay Higgins gets in on the rotation, as he was in on special teams. At this point, Smith is the only Ravens LB to roster, and Simpson is droppable in most formats.
Baltimore’s man coverage crept up and the Ravens were in zone for just 55% of the snaps. This doesn’t impact my feelings on Roquan.
Week 1 Green Dot: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills
Terrel Bernard saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Matt Milano was on all but 6 snaps. Milano added a sack to his 4 solo effort. I am not panicking about Bernard’s 3 solo game. It’s amazing that the Ravens managed 40 points on just 51 snaps. The Bills were in dime for 18% of the snaps and featured 3 safeties. Matt Milano came off the field on 3rd downs, as he saw just 45% of the 3rd down snaps.
Week 1 Green Dot: Terrel Bernard
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were in nickel for most of the game, and it was Trevin Wallace who was off the field for dime/single-LB. Christian Rozeboom was on for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. He finished with a modest 12.1% tackle rate. If you’re in a shallow league and no one was aware of Rozeboom’s three-down role, he’s worth an add. It does look like Wallace will have a full-time role, as he saw 86% of the snaps, but is coming off on most 3rd downs. Wallace is still a risky LB3/4, as he could have a short leash. Carolina was in zone coverage for nearly 85% of their coverage snaps.
Week 1 Green Dot: Christian Rozeboom
Chicago Bears
Tremaine Edmunds wore the dot for the Bears in Week 1 and was on for 100% of the snaps. TJ Edwards got the doubtful tag ahead of MNF, and was ruled inactive. It was Noah Sewell who got the three-down role opposite Edmunds. Sewell got 100% of the snaps and led the team in tackles (9). Ruben Hyppolite looked to be on base downs, so he got minimal snaps (8). It looks like Sewell would be the LB to target if Edwards continues to miss time.
Week 1 Green Dot: Tremaine Edmunds
Cincinnati Bengals
Well, if we’re overreacting to Week 1, Demetrius Knight Jr. is a tackle machine. Cleveland went 12-personnel heavy, and Knight was all over the field, cleaning up tackles. Knight produced a 17.2% tackle rate, resulting in 12 tackles. I’m sure there will be variance here weekly, but he was as advertised coming out of South Carolina. Knight saw 76% of the snaps, as Cincinnati went nickel-heavy under Al Golden. Knight’s usage was limited to early downs, as he had a 57% usage on 3rd downs. Logan Wilson saw 84% of the snaps, but missed a few plays due to injury, but wore the green dot. Barrett Carter came on in relief. If Knight is on your wire, he’ll be a priority add.
Week 1 Green Dot: Logan Wilson
Cleveland Browns
A solid debut for Carson Schwesinger—he had just 3 solos but 8 total tackles, including a TFL. Jim Schwartz is not going to hide using him as a blitzer, as he also had a QB hit. Schwesinger is looking like a star in Cleveland’s defense. The Browns were in nickel on just over 80% as Devin Bush was the LB2 in the defense. Bush finished with 7 tackles and, with his full-time role, will have LB4 value in deeper leagues.
Week 1 Green Dot: Carson Schwesinger
Dallas Cowboys
We got our first gut punch right out of the gate. After not seeing a snap in the preseason, it was Kenneth Murray who got the dot and played 100% of the snaps. Jack Sanborn, after getting the dot in OTAs/preseason, was on for 76% of the snaps, with 88% of his usage coming on early downs. He played just 31% of the 3rd downs. Damone Clark was in on those 3rd downs, and he saw 67% of the snaps. Dallas was in 3-LB/base for 47% of their snaps. As long as Kenneth Murray has the dot, he’ll be worth adding from the wire. I am going to stay patient and hold Sanborn for now.
Week 1 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray
Denver Broncos
Dre Greenlaw was held out of Week 1, and Alex Singleton was the lone three-down LB as he wore the dot. Justin Strnad got the start, but saw just 67% of the snaps. It seemed like everyone in Denver got a sack, including Strnad. It looked like Denver, without Greenlaw, went dime/single-LB. I was surprised Karene Reid didn’t see a snap, with the way he was talked up over the offseason and preseason. Greenlaw is expected back next week and will probably enter the week with the questionable tag. I’m not expecting the Broncos to be in dime as much with Greenlaw, but his snaps could be limited as he’s eased back in. Denver was one of the few teams who was in man coverage more than zone.
Week 1 Green Dot: Alex Singleton
Detroit Lions
It’s official: Jack Campbell finally has the dot and control of the Lions defense. The Lions went base/3-LB for most of the game, as Derrick Barnes saw 43 snaps with Campbell and Alex Anzalone. Anzalone saw a three-down role, as he was on for 100% of the snaps. Campbell dominated the tackle share with 9 tackles and an 18.8% tackle rate. I’m not expecting similar usage from Barnes, but 19 of his snaps were on the edge.
Week 1 Green Dot: Jack Campbell
Green Bay Packers
It’s Edgerrin Cooper’s world, and we’re just living in it. Cooper led Green Bay in tackles (12), but Quay Walker added 9 of his own, including 2 TFLs. Walker continues to wear the dot. Green Bay was nickel-heavy, as they were in base for 27% of the snaps, as Isaiah McDuffie saw just 18 snaps. It looks like Green Bay is going to feature Cooper and Walker as their off-ball LBs. This defense is going to be scary with Micah Parsons on the edge.
Week 1 Green Dot: Quay Walker
Houston Texans
The Texans weren’t in dime for any snaps this week, and were primarily in nickel, which meant hardly any snaps for EJ Speed, which was expected. Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o were the full-time LBs, and Al-Shaair wore the dot. To’oTo’o looks to have IDP value with a full-time role as an LB3/4.
Week 1 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair
Indianapolis Colts
The Dolphins managed just 48 offensive snaps, and this game was over pretty quickly. Zaire Franklin was the three-down LB and wore the dot up until he came off the field in garbage time. The Colts were in dime for 4 snaps and were in nickel for the majority of the game (81%). The Colts look to be featuring two off-ball LBs, but unfortunately, there looked to be a rotation with Joe Bachie and Cameron McGrone at LB2, as they each played 22 snaps. Austin Ajike was the LB3 and played just 9 snaps. It looks like Bachie may not have a full-time role. At this point, I’d hold and see if it was the nature of the game that limited Bachie’s snaps this week. Be prepared to drop Bachie next week if the usage continues. I will say this: I’d drop Bachie for someone like Dee Winters or SirVocea Dennis if they’re available.
Week 1 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin
Jacksonville Jaguars
So, it appears that Devin Lloyd SZN is cancelled. Lloyd saw just 22 snaps, and I didn’t see anything on any injuries. Lloyd’s usage was below 36% across all downs, so it’s not like he’s getting consistent early down work. The Jaguars went dime on 38% of the snaps, which is more single-LB than they’ve used in the past. Their dime package featured 3 safeties and Dennis Gardeck opposite Foyesade Oluokun, who was the lone three-down LB and wore the dot. He looked to be his same old self, as he finished with 10 tackles and had a big INT. In nickel, there was a rotation with Lloyd and Ventrel Miller, though Miller had just 16 snaps. At this point, it doesn’t look like we can trust an LB2 in Anthony Campanile’s defense.
Week 1 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun
Kansas City Chiefs
Nick Bolton wore the dot as expected for the Chiefs and saw 100% of the snaps. Drue Tranquill appears to have a full-time role. He was on the field for 83% of the snaps. He got injured in the 3rd quarter when his knee got rolled on, but returned just before the end of the 3rd. Tranquill finished with 5 tackles and added 2 sacks. He’ll have additional IDP upside with the additional pass rush snaps. Bolton would finish with a 12.3% tackle rate on his way to 8 tackles. The Chiefs were in nickel for most of the game and had just 4 dime snaps. So, it looks like the Chiefs will be featuring two off-ball LBs this season.
Week 1 Green Dot: Nick Bolton
Las Vegas Raiders
Devin White wore the dot and was in on 100% of the snaps. To his credit, he was productive and finished with 11 tackles. Germaine Pratt was the LB2 and was in on all but 6 snaps and saw consistent usage across all downs. Although Pratt recorded 8 tackles, just 1 was a solo. The Raiders were in base for 42 snaps (59%); however, Elandon Roberts left the game after 11 snaps with an injury and never returned. Pratt’s usage might have had something to do with that, as Pratt was behind Roberts in the rotation heading into their second series. If White is on your wire, he’s worth a pickup with his three-down role, and Pratt is looking like an LB3/4 in leagues that require 3+ starting LBs. I’m hoping for more solos in the future.
Week 1 Green Dot: Devin White
Los Angeles Chargers
As of now, Daiyan Henley is the lone Chargers LB to roster here. Henley was in on 100% of the snaps and wore the dot, finishing with a 13.1% tackle rate. The Chargers looked to be in dime/single-LB for nearly 26% of the game and featured 3-safeties. Denzel Perryman got hurt early (stop me if you’ve heard that one) with an ankle injury, and Troy Dye came on in relief. Dye was on the field for 57% of the snaps in the second half. Dye might only see 65-70% of the snaps even if he gets the starts.
Perryman update: Perryman is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a high-ankle sprain. The Chargers do like Dye, so he could see a higher snap rate over the next few weeks. Marlowe Wax is flying in under the radar, and now could be the LB3 of the defense. If you need an LB in deep leagues, I’d prioritize Dye ahead of Wax at this point.
Week 1 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams were in dime for 16 snaps and featured four safeties. Nate Landman was the lone three-down LB and wore the dot, though Landman did miss one snap. Landman had a solid game with 10 tackles and a big forced fumble on a “Peanut punch.” Omar Speights looked to be the LB2 but saw 71% of the snaps. In Week 1, Troy Reeder and Shaun Dolac were relegated to special teams. If Speights is going to play fewer than 75% of the snaps, his production is going to be inconsistent every week.
Week 1 Green Dot: Nate Landman
Miami Dolphins
Be very careful with depth charts from certain websites, as they had Willie Gay listed as a starter ahead of Tyrel Dodson. Gay played just 9 special teams and 0 defensive snaps. Although Miami was in their base defense for 28 snaps, they featured 3 up front, and two edge rushers (Jaelan Phillips/Bradley Chubb). Dodson and Jordyn Brooks were on the field for 100% of the snaps, and Dodson wore the dot. Dodson and Brooks combined for 27 tackles, so yeah, the Dolphins’ defense looks to be able to support two productive off-ball LBs. Now, will Miami feature Gay in packages? Sure. I don’t think he’s going to get enough snaps to be a worthwhile IDP option.
Week 1 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson
Minnesota Vikings
Blake Cashman started the game and was in on 100% of the snaps with the dot, until a hamstring injury knocked him out in the 3rd. It was Eric Wilson, not Ivan Pace, who got the dot when Cashman exited. If Cashman misses games, Wilson will be the LB to target on your wire this week. Ivan Pace was in on 70% of the snaps, and seemed to be off the field for most 3rd down situations. Pace finished with 5 tackles (11.4% tackle rate) and will be an inconsistent option in seasonal leagues.
Week 1 Green Dot: Blake Cashman. Eric Wilson took over when Cashman got hurt.
Update 9/9/2025: According to Ben Goessling, Cashman is expected to miss multiple games with a hamstring injury. Just chalk up another injury to Cashman. Eric Wilson will be the LB to target from your waiver wire this week, as he’ll wear the dot while Cashman is out.
New England Patriots
Christian Elliss saw 44 snaps (70%) and didn’t look to have a full-time role. He still might have IDP value in deeper leagues with deep benches or leagues where he has DL eligibility. Robert Spillane was in on 100% of the snaps and wore the dot on defense. Spillane managed just 3 solos, so hopefully, it was just the flow of the game. Spillane’s tackles might be impacted by New England’s 50% man coverage rate, so something to monitor over the next few weeks.
Week 1 Green Dot: Robert Spillane
New Orleans Saints
The Saints featured at least two off-ball LBs in Week 1. Their base defense featured 5 up front and 4 DBs. Demario Davis saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Pete Werner had a full-time role and was on the field for all but 6 snaps, as he had a 92% usage rate. Werner was off in certain situations (a few early downs) and goal-line packages. Werner turned in a decent game with 9 tackles (7 solos) and a sack. Werner’s full-time role puts him on the LB3 radar and is worth a pickup from the wire this week.
Week 1 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
Micah McFadden suffered an injury that knocked him out after 11 snaps. It looked bad, and he was seen in a boot, but X-rays were negative, which I think might be best best-case scenario. With McFadden off the field, Bobby Okereke ate up the tackle share and finished with 16 tackles. Darius Muasau came in on relief for McFadden and played 38 snaps. Muasau didn’t have a full-time role even with McFadden out. He was on the field for just 61% of the early downs and 18% of 3rd downs. The Giants were in dime for 17 snaps and featured a few 0-LB looks. McFadden’s injury is going to cause him to miss the majority of the season. Chris Board might see some defensive snaps, and the Giants might have to hit the wire. The Giants’ LB depth chart is looking diminished.
Week 1 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets
The Jets defense was pretty simple. Aaron Glenn featured Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams for 100% of the snaps. Sherwood wore the dot on defense.
Week 1 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood
Philadelphia Eagles
Vic Fangio had the Eagles in nickel for most of the game. Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell were the full-time off-ball LBs, with Baun wearing the dot. Although Campbell was used primarily as an off-ball, he was used on the edge for 21% of his 56 snaps. He was off the field for a few goal-line situations and near the end of each half. He ended up playing in 92% of the snaps. Although he finished with 3 assists, he was solid on the field. He kept up in coverage and had a forced fumble. Baun was his usual self with 9 tackles, a TFL, and a defended pass.
Week 1 Green Dot: Zack Baun
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers were primarily in nickel against the Jets. Patrick Queen was on for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Good news for Payton Wilson managers, as he was on the field for 88% of the snaps. Although he finished with 5 tackles, the nickel usage was definitely encouraging. Pittsburgh was in zone for over 73% of the snaps, and they didn’t look to have any dime snaps. Wilson’s full-time usage should put him on the radar for your waiver wire this week.
Week 1 Green Dot: Patrick Queen
San Francisco 49ers
As expected, Robert Saleh ran mostly nickel and their base, as they limited the Seahawks to just 52 snaps. Fred Warner was in on all but 3 snaps, as he missed a few snaps with an injury, but did return to the game. Dee Winters looks to be the LB2 as he saw 100% of the snaps. The 49ers look to be in an IDP-friendly zone scheme, as they were running zone over 70% of the time.
Week 1 Green Dot: Fred Warner
Seattle Seahawks
I’m not adding Tyrice Knight to the chart yet. Knight didn’t play in the preseason due to a knee injury, so he might have been eased in for the opener. The Seahawks were in dime for just 4 snaps, and Drake Thomas got some snaps in Seattle’s nickel. Thomas only saw 15 snaps, so he’s not a true threat to Knight’s usage. I’d hold on to Knight, as he did finish with a 12.5% tackle rate, resulting in 7 tackles. Ernest Jones saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Jones recorded 8 tackles and grabbed an INT.
Week 1 Green Dot: Ernest Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are featuring two off-ball LBs, as Lavonte David saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. If you took a chance on SirVocea Dennis, you might be rewarded. He was in on 95% of the snaps and recorded 10 tackles for a 13.9% tackle rate. Tampa’s base still only features two off-ball LBs, as they went with 5 up front. Dennis is worth a pickup from the wire this week.
Week 1 Green Dot: Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans
Cody Barton was in on 100% of the snaps and wore the dot in Week 1. Cedric Gray was the LB2 in Tennessee’s nickel, and he finished with 82% of the snaps, and looks to have a full-time role. James Williams saw just special teams duty. The Titans were in dime for 10 snaps. Gray’s Week 1 usage is encouraging, and could have LB3/4 value in deeper leagues. There is a bit of concern, as he was off consistently for 3rd down, seeing fewer than 60% of third down work. The Titans were in zone coverage for over 75% of their coverage snaps.
Week 1 Green Dot: Cody Barton
Washington Commanders
The Commanders’ defense looks to be a carbon copy of 2024: two off-ball LBs. The Commanders ran a hybrid dime, featuring Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu on the edge. Wagner and Luvu each saw 100% of the snaps, with Wagner wearing the dot.
Week 1 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner
Be sure to subscribe to The IDP Show on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.
Who are some LB options you’d be looking to pickup? Will be dropping Devin Lloyd this week.