2025 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 12
What did Week 12 teach us about the state of the green dot LBs for 2025?
We’re in Week 12, and everything is pretty much settled at the LB position. The major developments we need to monitor will be who takes over the dot in Carolina and San Francisco. Here were my observations of the LB position in Week 12.
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 12.
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
It sounds like Mack Wilson is going to miss another few games at minimum, so if you haven’t picked up Cody Simon, pick him up this week. Simon was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot and had a decent day with 7 tackles. Most importantly, he has a three-down role as the defensive play caller. Akeem Davis-Gaither was on for 74% of the snaps. The Cardinals were in dime/single-LB for 16 snaps and were primarily in their nickel/2-LB defense. Davis-Gaither has been inconsistent this season, especially in coverage. Some games, he’s a wall, and in others, he looks completely lost.
Week 12 Green Dot: Cody Simon
Atlanta Falcons
Divine Deablo made his return in Week 12, and it’s clear what they think of Deablo. He immediately returned to the starting lineup and had a three-down role, as he was on the field for all but one snap. Kaden Elliss was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Atlanta was in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game. Deablo should be on your waiver radar now that he’s back with a three-down role.
Week 12 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss
Baltimore Ravens
After seeing fewer than 70% of the snaps over the last 4 weeks, Teddye Buchanan was on the field for 75% of the snaps against the Jets’ personnel. Buchanan was solid in the run and tackled well, missing zero tackle attempts. Roquan Smith saw 100% of the snaps with the dot. The Ravens were in nickel for most of the game; however, their defense is going to look a lot different if Kyle Hamilton misses any time. Hamilton has been their dime LB and played 24 off-ball LB snaps in Week 12.
Week 12 Green Dot: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills
The injury news out of Buffalo will be the status of Terrel Bernard. He suffered an elbow injury that could land him on IR, so he looks to be droppable in redraft, as he’ll probably miss the bulk of the fantasy playoffs. Shaq Thompson took over the dot and was on for 100% of the snaps with Bernard out. The Bills were in dime for 13 snaps, so they went single-LB for 22% of the game. The Bills were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game, with Matt Milano operating as the LB2 and starting the final five defensive series. However, he ended up playing just 52% of the snaps. As of now, I think Thompson is the only Bills’ off-ball LB to target this week.
Week 12 Green Dot: Terrel Bernard. Shaq Thompson took over when Bernard left.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were another team decimated by injury at the LB position, as Trevin Wallace and Christian Rozeboom were inactive. Claudin Cherelus wore the dot last week after Rozeboom left, started the game with the dot, but left with a concussion after 28 snaps. Krys Barnes was elevated from the practice squad and got the start at LB2. It looked like Barnes was coming off on 3rd downs, but took over the dot after Cherelus left. Bam Martin-Scott was the LB2 in their base/nickel defense.
It’s hard to pin down the LBs to target this week, as we don’t know the status of Wallace and Rozeboom. Cherelus is now in concussion protocol. Barnes made it unscathed, so he’ll be a target in deeper leagues.
Week 12 Green Dot: Claudin Cherelus. Krys Barnes took over after Cherelus left.
Chicago Bears
The Bears had some major issues at LB heading into Week 12. All three of their starters were declared out ahead of the game. This left D’Marco Jackson, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Carl Jones, Jr., and Ruben Hyppolite as the off-ball LBs. Jackson was the three-down LB and wore the dot. It looked like Hyppolite was on his way to a full-time role in Chicago’s nickel, but a shoulder injury knocked him out. Ogbongbemiga was the primary LB2 after Hyppolite exited, and he saw 42 snaps. Tremaine Edmunds was placed on IR, so he’ll miss the next 4 weeks, but TJ Edwards and Noah Sewell’s status remains up in the air for Week 13. If both miss, Jackson appears in line for the dot once again. If either plays, it limits Jackson’s IDP value since either can be the dot.
Week 12 Green Dot: D’Marco Jackson
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals looked to be in their nickel/2-LB defense this week against New England’s personnel. Demetrius Knight saw 85% of the snaps after seeing fewer than 80% of the snaps over the last two weeks (57% in Week 11). Barrett Carter continued playing a three-down role and saw 100% of the snaps with the dot. It appears the Bengals are going to let their rookie off-ball LBs learn through trial by fire. As of now, Carter is the only LB I trust. I could see Knight’s usage being limited against Baltimore’s personnel in Week 13.
Week 12 Green Dot: Barrett Carter
Cleveland Browns
There were no major changes with the Browns’ defense in Week 12. Carson Schwesinger was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot and recorded his second-straight 10+ tackle game and now has 29 tackles over the last three games. Devin Bush was a few snaps shy of a full-time role, as he finished playing in 79% of the snaps. He had a big blind side sack on Geno Smith and finished with 9 tackles. The Browns were mostly in nickel, but did show some dime/single-LB looks this week.
Week 12 Green Dot: Carson Schwesinger
Dallas Cowboys
My recommendation is to avoid this situation entirely. There wasn’t a full-time off-ball LB in this game, as the rotation between Kenneth Murray and Logan Wilson continued. This isn’t a situation you want to rely on with fantasy playoffs around. Murray led the LB group in snaps (39), and DeMarvion Overshown saw 37 snaps. No other off-ball LB saw more than 30, as Wilson was on for 24 snaps. We’ll see if Overshown is the LB who continues to see more snaps as he gets ramped up.
Week 12 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray/Logan Wilson
Denver Broncos
Bye week.
Week 12 Green Dot: Bye Week
Detroit Lions
Although Derrick Barnes had a full-time role with 80% of the snaps, the Lions weren’t in their base/3-LB defense as often, but still ran it 66 times. Jack Campbell was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot, and Alex Anzalone was on for all but 3 snaps. The Lions are a defense that still features three off-ball LBs.
Week 12 Green Dot: Jack Campbell
Green Bay Packers
Outside of Quay Walker being inactive, there were no major changes to Green Bay’s defense this week. They were in nickel/2-LB for the majority of the game. Isaiah McDuffie filled in as the green dot for Walker and was in on 100% of the snaps with Edgerrin Cooper. McDuffie with decent production, recording 9 tackles, a half-sack, and an INT. Cooper was a bit disappointing with just 4 tackles. We’ll have to monitor Walker’s status for Thursday, as it’s a quick turnaround. If Walker misses, McDuffie is the waiver target this week.
Week 12 Green Dot: Isaiah McDuffie
Houston Texans
Azeez Al-Shaair was the lone three-down LB for Houston in Week 12. Al-Shaair was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. The rotation between Henry To’oTo’o and EJ Speed, and who gets the snaps, continues. Last week, Speed saw the majority of the snaps in their nickel, and this week, it was To’oTo’o with 77% of the snaps. It looks like their usage might be team/personnel dependent. The Bills were in 11-personnel and To’oTo’o was used more against the run. The Colts (Houston’s Week 13 opponent) run more 12/13 personnel, so Speed might see more snaps because of his coverage and tackling ability against TE. If you don’t need either, it’s best to avoid the LB2 in Houston altogether.
The Texans were in their base/3-LB defense for 16 snaps, but were mostly in their nickel/2-LB defense (75% of the snaps).
Week 12 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ defense was on the field for nearly the equivalent of two games. They had 96 defensive snaps (which included overtime). Germaine Pratt saw a full-time role for the first time over the last few weeks and was on the field for 86% of the snaps and led the team in tackles with 20 (including 15 solos). Zaire Franklin saw 100% of the snaps with the dot. Franklin’s production is picking up, as he has 24 tackles over the last two weeks. The Colts were primarily in their nickel/2-LB defense this week. Pratt might be a shaky LB3 next week if they pull back his usage.
Week 12 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars were primarily in their nickel/2-LB defense in Week 12. Anthony Campanile unleashed Devin Lloyd as a pass rusher. Lloyd was in on 13 pass rush snaps and finished with 1.5 sacks and 3 QB hits. Foyesade Oluokun was in on 100% of the snaps with the dot and recorded 10 tackles in the win. Lloyd would play 88% of the snaps.
Week 12 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were primarily in nickel/2-LB this week. They actually limited the Colts’ offense to just 51 snaps (including OT). Bolton was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot, while Drue Tranquill was on for all but 3 snaps this week.
Week 12 Green Dot: Nick Bolton
Las Vegas Raiders
There were no real changes with the Vegas defense. Devin White remains the lone three-down LB. He was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Jamal Adams saw just 14 snaps this week, while Elandon Roberts was primarily on early/run downs and played 67% of the snaps against Cleveland’s personnel.
Week 12 Green Dot: Devin White
Los Angeles Chargers
Bye week.
Week 12 Green Dot: Bye Week
Los Angeles Rams
Nate Landman looked like an LB who just got an extension. Landman isn’t resting on his laurels with the payday—he recorded 7 tackles and a TFL. Landman wore the dot when he was on the field. He did come off the field for a few zero-LB snaps, and the Rams starters were pulled late in the 4th with the game out of hand. Omar Speights was the LB2 in their nickel/2-LB defense, but saw 56% of the snaps.
Week 12 Green Dot: Nate Landman
Miami Dolphins
Bye week.
Week 12 Green Dot: Bye Week
Minnesota Vikings
Brian Flores had Minnesota primarily in nickel, as Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson were both on the field for 100% of the snaps. Cashman wore the dot and turned in another big game with 16 tackles. In most tackle-heavy formats, Cashman has been the LB2 in overall scoring for the last few weeks.
Week 12 Green Dot: Blake Cashman
New England Patriots
The Patriots didn’t have Jahlani Tavai, but did get Christian Elliss back in Week 12. It didn’t really matter, though, given how they deployed their defense and linebackers. Robert Spillane was the lone full-time LB this week, as he was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Elliss saw just 28 snaps, and Jack Gibbens was on for 21 snaps in the LB2 rotation.
Week 12 Green Dot: Robert Spillane
New Orleans Saints
Demario Davis was the lone full-time LB for the Saints in Week 12. He was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. The Saints were in their dime/single-LB defense for 23 snaps, as Pete Werner saw just 59% of the snaps. Davis is the only off-ball LB to trust for snaps on the Saints.
Week 12 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
Bobby Okereke was the lone full-time LB for the Giants, as they were dealing with injuries at the LB2 spot. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles saw just 11 snaps before he left with a neck injury. It was then Zaire Barnes and Swayze Bozeman. Barnes saw the most snaps at the LB2 in their nickel with 38 snaps. Barnes ended up getting dinged, and Bozeman was on for 18 snaps. I wouldn’t stress over these injuries or worry about adding anyone from the wire.
Week 12 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets
There were no major changes with the Jets’ defense. They continue to be a nickel/2-LB defense. They were in their base/3-B defense for 24 snaps. Francisco Mauigoa returned from a concussion and was their LB3 in base. Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood were both on the field for 100% of the snaps. Sherwood wore the dot.
Week 12 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood
Philadelphia Eagles
Nakobe Dean has a full-time role with the Eagles, and his ramp-up looks complete. Dean was on the field for 84% of the snaps this week. He’s the LB2 in Vic Fangio’s nickel defense. Jihaad Campbell saw his lowest usage of the season, and saw just 15% of the snaps (11 snaps). If you haven’t already, he’s droppable in redraft leagues.
Week 12 Green Dot: Zack Baun
Pittsburgh Steelers
There were no real changes to Pittsburgh’s defense as they were primarily in nickel, and the LB2 rotation continued with Payton Wilson and Malik Harrison. Although Wilson out-snapped Harrison, it was by one snap. I still think Wilson is the more talented LB out of the group, and it’s a shame he’s not seen more of a full-time role.
Week 12 Green Dot: Patrick Queen
San Francisco 49ers
Tatum Bethune is going to miss a few weeks and it’s Curtis Robinson who’s going to wear the dot. Robinson and Dee Winters were both on the field for 100% of the snaps, but there wasn’t much production opportunity, as the 49ers’ defense limited the Panthers to just 46 snaps. The 49ers were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the entire game, so Robinson will be the waiver target this week (if you haven’t already claimed him).
Week 12 Green Dot: Curtis Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
Ernest Jones was a surprise inactive this week. Jones was dealing with some knee soreness, so maybe Seattle felt they didn’t need him this week. Drake Thomas was the lone three-down LB and was on 100% of the snaps with the dot. Patrick O’Connell was the LB2 in their nickel/2-LB defense, and Nick Emmanwori played 44 snaps as an off-ball LB with both Jones and Tyrice Knight inactive.
Week 12 Green Dot: Drake Thomas
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There were no major changes with Tampa Bay’s defense this week. They were in their nickel/2-LB defense, but couldn’t keep up with the Rams. Lavonte David was on for 100% of the snaps until the 4th, when he sat out for the final series with the game out of hand. SirVocea Dennis was on the field for 100% of the snaps.
Week 12 Green Dot: Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans
There were no big changes with Tennessee’s defense this week. They continue to be a nickel/2-LB defense. The Titans didn’t have any base/3-LB snaps, as they didn’t utilize an LB3 this week. Cody Barton was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot, and Cedric Gray was on the field for all but one snap.
Week 12 Green Dot: Cody Barton
Washington Commanders
Bye week.
Week 12 Green Dot: Bye Week
Be sure to subscribe to The IDP Show on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.