2025 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 13
What did Week 13 teach us about the state of the green dot LBs for 2025?
As the calendar turns to December, the only real wild card left to monitor at the LB position is injuries. We’ll monitor Patrick Queen’s hip injury, plus the situation in Chicago with the potential returns of Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards, and Noah Sewell. What else did we learn from Week 13? Let’s jump into it.
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 13.
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
I wouldn’t go box score chasing this week, as Akeem Davis-Gaither only saw 57% of the snaps. The Cards looked to be in their dime/single-LB more often this week against Tampa Bay (26 snaps). Davis-Gaither recorded a 28.5% tackle rate, but that is a volatile and unsustainable rate with that usage. Cody Simon got the start for Mack Wilson and was in on 100% of the snaps with the dot. Wilson is getting close to returning, but reporters have him back in Week 15.
Week 13 Green Dot: Cody Simon
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons featured two off-ball LBs once again in Week 13. Kaden Elliss and Divine Deablo were the three-down LBs this week. Elliss was on for 100% of the snaps, while Deablo saw all but 1 snap. Elliss wore the dot as usual. The Falcons were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game, so Elliss and Deablo have IDP value based on their usage. Elliss and Deablo combined for 16 tackles in Week 13.
Week 13 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss
Baltimore Ravens
Against the Bengals, the Ravens were in their dime for 21 snaps, so they featured one off-ball LB more often (15 snaps), going with three safety looks with Kyle Hamilton, Alohi Gilman, and Malaki Starks. Teddye Buchanan had more of a role this week, as he was on for 73% of the snaps, as the Ravens were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game. Trenton Simpson had just 7 snaps and was mostly in on passing downs, as he had 6 coverage snaps. Buchanan was responsible for 22 yards after the catch in coverage. Roquan Smith was the lone three-down LB, as he was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot.
Week 13 Green Dot: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills
The Bills limited the Steelers to just 40 offensive snaps. With Terrel Bernard inactive, Shaq Thompson saw the three-down role and was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. The Bills were in their nickel/2-LB defense against Pittsburgh’s personnel. Matt Milano was on the field for 88% of the snaps.
Week 13 Green Dot: Shaq Thompson
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were without Claudin Cherelus and Christian Rozeboom this week, but their green dot, Trevon Wallace, returned and was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Krys Barnes was the LB2 in their nickel/2-LB defense; he saw 94% of the snaps. The Panthers were in nickel for most of the game against the Rams’ personnel. We’ll need to monitor Rozeboom’s status throughout the week.
Week 13 Green Dot: Trevin Wallace
Chicago Bears
Once again, the Bears were without their three main off-ball LBs: TJ Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds (IR), and Noah Sewell. D’Marco Jackson got the start and was the lone full-time LB this week, as he saw 100% of the snaps with the dot. Amen Ogbongbemiga was the LB2, but Chicago went dime/single-LB this week, as he was on the field for just 52% of the snaps. The Bears went three-safety heavy with Brisker, Gardner-Johnson, and Byard, going dime for 23 snaps.
There wasn’t much tackle production in this one as they limited the Eagles’ offense to 54 snaps, and they didn’t do much with their plays.
Week 13 Green Dot: D’Marco Jackson
Cincinnati Bengals
Barrett Carter was the lone full-time LB for Cincinnati this week, as he was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Demetrius Knight was the LB2. The Bengals were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game. They were in their base for 15 snaps, but it was a modified base with 5 down linemen and 2 off-ball LBs with Carter and Oren Burks. Knight and Burks continued to rotate snaps, as Burks saw 52% of the snaps, while Knight saw 70%. Even though the grades are poor, Knight continues to produce IDP numbers, and with a 4-team bye next week, could be a useful LB4 in deeper leagues.
Week 13 Green Dot: Barrett Carter
Cleveland Browns
There were no major changes to Jim Schwartz’s defense. They were nickel-heavy and sprinkled in some base and single-LB looks. Carson Schwesinger with another 10-tackle effort this week and a TFL. Schwesinger was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Bush fell just below a full-time role, as he saw 78% of the snaps. Bush remains a serviceable LB3/4 in deeper leagues.
Week 13 Green Dot: Carson Schwesinger
Dallas Cowboys
It does look like the Cowboys are ramping up DeMarvion Overshown. His snaps have increased since his return, and he saw 70% of the snaps this week, recording 6 tackles. If this trajectory continues, he could see a full-time role next week in a great matchup with Detroit on Thursday. If he’s on your wire, he's a target. I’m avoiding the other off-ball LBs, as Kenneth Murray and Logan Wilson are still in a dot rotation. Overshown appears to be the constant in their nickel/2-LB defense, and the arrow is pointing up.
Week 13 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray/Logan Wilson
Denver Broncos
Alex Singleton returned to the field after a cancer diagnosis and surgery. He ended up missing just one game. This week, he played 89 snaps with the dot and performed as though nothing happened, finishing with 6 tackles. Just the fact he’s on the field is remarkable. We might be getting close to full-time Dre Greenlaw. Greenlaw saw 72% of the snaps, which included a big INT. With four teams on bye next week, Greenlaw is looking like an LB3/4.
In Week 13, the Broncos were in dime/-single LB packages for 22 snaps and in their nickel/2-LB defense for 75% of the game.
Week 13 Green Dot: Alex Singleton
Detroit Lions
There were no major changes with Detroit’s defense. They continue to be a 3-LB heavy defense, although Derrick Barnes’s usage has been trending down over the last few weeks, to a season-low 73% this week. Jack Campbell and Alex Anzalone were both three-down LBs this week, as they were both on the field for 100% of the snaps. Campbell wore the dot as usual. The Lions remained a heavy-man defense this week. Most of Campbell’s tackles came in the run this week.
Week 13 Green Dot: Jack Campbell
Green Bay Packers
It looked like Quay Walker was going to give it a go, but he ended up being inactive this week. Isaiah McDuffie got the start once again and wore the dot. Edgerrin Cooper was on the field for all but one snap. Pre-snap, the Packers were in nickel for most of the game, and looked to be in zone for most of the game, as McDuffie had 3 solos. Keep an eye on Walker’s health and practice reports. If they continue to hold out Walker, McDuffie has been a solid spot starter with 31 tackles, a sack, and an INT over the last three weeks.
Week 13 Green Dot: Isaiah McDuffie
Houston Texans
The Texans looked to be in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game this week, and Henry To’oTo’o seems to be pulling away from EJ Speed for the LB2 role. I’m not sure how comfortable I’d get with that role. To’oTo’o saw 85% of the snaps this week. Azeez Al-Shaair was the three-down LB, but a concussion knocked him out for some snaps. He was able to clear protocol and return to the game. Speed looks to be the LB3 in their base defense for now. This could change at a moment’s notice, but as of now, it has been trending in To’oTo’o’s favor.
Week 13 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair
Indianapolis Colts
Zaire Franklin has been coming on in recent weeks, with three consecutive games of 10+ tackles, and 27 over his last two. This is what we’ve been waiting for all season. Franklin was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. The Colts were in their nickel/2-LB defense. Germaine Pratt had a full-time role and was on the field for 84% of the snaps. Although it wasn’t a 20-burger, we’ll take a 14.1% tackle rate. The Colts were in dime for what looked like 10 snaps, so Pratt continues to retain his LB3 value.
Week 13 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars limited the Titans to just 51 snaps. Foyesade Oluokun was on the field for 100% of the snaps, up until the final series when the starters appeared to be pulled. He did manage 6 tackles (hey, at least 5 of those were solos). Devin Lloyd was on the field for 83% of the snaps in Jacksonville’s nickel defense. Lloyd now has an 80% usage rate in three of the last four weeks. The Jaguars were in nickel for the majority of the game against Tennessee’s personnel.
Week 13 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun
Kansas City Chiefs
There were no major changes with the Chiefs’ defense. Pre-snap, they were in nickel just over half the game and were in their base/3-LB defense for 25 snaps. Nick Bolton was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Drue Tranquill was on for 90% of the snaps. Leo Chenal was on for 54% of the snaps, as the Chiefs ran a modified nickel with three off-ball LBs and just three down linemen. For production, I only trust Bolton as of now. Even in a full-time role, Tranquill is averaging 4.8 tackles/game over his last five. The scheme they run seems to run through Bolton, and he’s getting the tackles in their zone scheme.
Week 13 Green Dot: Nick Bolton
Las Vegas Raiders
There were no major changes to the Raiders defense this week. The Raiders were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game as the rotation between Elandon Roberts and Jamal Adams continued this week. Roberts saw just 45% of the snaps while Adams saw 48%. Devin White was the lone three-down LB as he saw 100% of the snaps with the dot.
Week 13 Green Dot: Devin White
Los Angeles Chargers
Is Daiyan Henley in the conversation for IDP LVP? In what looked like a decent matchup—against a Raiders team he got 10 tackles against in Week 2—he finished with 3 tackles. Denzel Perryman saw just 63% of the snaps. Granted, the Chargers limited the Raiders to just 46 snaps, so there were not a whole lot of opportunities. The Chargers were in dime/single-LB for 6 snaps this week, and there was a rotation at the LB2 spot with Perryman and Troy Dye.
Week 13 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams were mostly in their nickel/2-LB defense against the Panthers. Omar Speights had a full-time role, as he was on for 85% of the snaps. Speights finished with 7 tackles. Nate Landman wore the dot and was on the field for all but 3 snaps, as the Rams went zero-LB for those 3 snaps. The Rams went dime/single-LB for 6 snaps this week.
Week 13 Green Dot: Nate Landman
Miami Dolphins
There were no major changes with Miami’s defense this week. They remain a nickel/2-LB defense, with Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson both on the field for 100% of the snaps and Dodson wearing the dot. They combined for 20 tackles. Brooks and Dodson are weekly starters.
Week 13 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings, once again, were nickel/2-LB heavy this week. Brian Flores loves his utility guy Eric Wilson. Wilson had 8 pass rush snaps and was efficient with those rushes, producing 2 QBPs, including a sack. Wilson had 29 EDGE snaps and 33 as an off-ball LB. The Seahawks are susceptible to pressure from the LB position. Blake Cashman was 1 tackle short of another double-digit game, but finished 9. Wilson and Cashman were the three-down LBs, with Cashman wearing the dot.
Week 13 Green Dot: Blake Cashman
New England Patriots
Robert Spillane started the game with the dot, but didn’t play the final two defensive series. No real injury report or designation. The Giants were of no real threat, so it might have been a game situation. Jack Gibbens did come in and wear the dot, so if there’s an injury, Gibbens is the next man up for the dot. Christian Elliss was the LB2 in New England’s nickel, but saw 64% of the snaps, but played 71% of the 2-LB snaps.
I’m not sure you need to chase Gibbens on this week’s wire, as NE has a bye in Week 13. If you want to add Gibbens pre-emptively in case of a Spillane injury, and have the depth to do so, that might be a prudent move.
Week 13 Green Dot: Robert Spillane. Jack Gibbens finished with the dot.
New Orleans Saints
Demario Davis was the lone full-time off-ball LB for the Saints in Week 13. Davis was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. The Saints looked to go more single-LB heavy this week, a Pete Werner saw just 53% of the snaps. Danny Stutsman saw 12 snaps this week. With the Saints going single-LB heavy, the LB2 has little IDP value. Davis is the lone Saints’ LB to trust.
Week 13 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
It looked like the Giants were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game as Zaire Barnes was on the field for 78% of the snaps. The Giants were in dime/single-LB for 21% of the snaps this week. Bobby Okereke was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Don’t go chasing Barnes for Week 14, as the Giants have their bye in Week 14.
Week 13 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets
There were no real changes to the Jets and their LB deployment this week. They were nickel heavy. Jamien Sherwood was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Quincy Williams was on the field for all but 1 snap. Williams appears to have put the benching long behind him.
Week 13 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood
Philadelphia Eagles
Not much changed with Philadelphia’s defense this week. They remained nickel/2-LB heavy, and Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean were the full-time LBs this week. Baun was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot, while Dean was on the field for all but 5 snaps. Jihaad Campbell saw 0 defensive snaps and was relegated to just 6 special teams snaps.
Week 13 Green Dot: Zack Baun
Pittsburgh Steelers
The big news here is Patrick Queen’s hip injury. He got knocked out after 33 snaps late in the 2nd quarter. Payton Wilson took over the green dot. Malik Harrison and Cole Holcomb got snaps at the LB2 in Pittsburgh’s nickel. Harrison saw 52 snaps, with the majority of that usage coming in the second half. Holcomb saw just 16 snaps and isn’t on the IDP radar. If Queen’s injury keeps him out, Harrison will have IDP value in deeper leagues if you need a spot starter at LB.
Week 13 Green Dot: Patrick Queen. Payton Wilson took over when Queen left the game.
San Francisco 49ers
Curtis Robinson got the start for Tatum Bethune in Week 13 and wore the dot. It looked like the 49ers were going to see another MIKE, but Robinson missed just 2 snaps. Dee Winters saw 100% of the snaps, as the 49ers remained a nickel/2-LB heavy defense in Week 13.
Week 13 Green Dot: Curtis Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks got their defensive captain, Ernest Jones, back in Week 13, and boy, did he produce. In addition to his 12 tackles, he picked off 2 Max Brosmer passes and was on the field for all but 5 snaps this week. Nick Emmanwori continues to act as an LB, as he saw 22 snaps at off-ball LB. Drake Thomas was the LB2 in their nickel/2-LB defense, but saw just 66% of the snaps. Tyrice Knight returned in Week 13, but saw just 5 snaps.
Week 13 Green Dot: Ernest Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There were no major changes to Tampa Bay’s defense this week. They were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game with Lavonte David and SirVocea Dennis. Dennis did come off the field for Deion Jones for a few snaps, but it didn’t appear injury-related. He re-entered and played all but 3 snaps. David was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot.
Week 13 Green Dot: Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans
There were no real changes with the Titans defense and their LBs. Cody Barton was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Cedric Gray was on the field for all but 7 snaps, and continues to lead the defense in tackles.
Week 13 Green Dot: Cody Barton
Washington Commanders
There were no major changes with Washington’s defense this week. The Commanders were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game, but were in their base for 24 snaps. Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu were both on the field for 100% of the snaps, with Wagner wearing the dot.
Week 13 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner
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