2025 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 15
What did Week 15 teach us about the state of the green dot LBs for 2025?
It’s Week 15, the beginning of the fantasy playoffs, and we immediately got screwed by the Patriots. Robert Spillane got the “emergency LB” treatment even though he was active. What other situations transpired from the LB groups this week?
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 15.
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
Unfortunately, the Cardinals lost another linebacker. Cody Simon left the game early in the 1st quarter and never returned. Akeem Davis-Gaither was on for 100% of the snaps and took over the green dot when Simon exited. Owen Pappoe was the LB2 in their nickel/2-LB defense and finished with 73% of the snaps. The Cardinals were in dime for a few more snaps than usual. We’ll have to keep an eye on practice reports for Simon’s injury, but it’s looking like a knee injury. We’ll have to see if Mack Wilson is going to come off IR soon.
Week 15 Green Dot: Cody Simon. Akeem Davis-Gaither took over after Simon’s injury.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game, with Kaden Elliss and Divine Deablo both seeing 100% of the snaps. Elliss wore the dot as usual. Tampa Bay had been a tougher matchup for LBs over the last three weeks, but the Falcons have a favorable matchup in Week 16 with Arizona. I consider Elliss more of an LB3 and Deablo an LB4/5 in deeper leagues. Atlanta’s defense is nickel-heavy, so while the usage is optimal for both, the production has been “meh,” even with Atlanta favoring zone coverage over man and ranking in the top-15 for zone usage.
Week 15 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss
Baltimore Ravens
Roquan Smith was the three-down LB and was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. He came through for his managers, turning in his fourth straight 10+ tackle game, and the production is coming at the right time. The big injury for the Ravens is the loss of Teddye Buchanan. It looks like he suffered a torn ACL on punt duties, and it was Trenton Simpson who got the snaps in nickel. Simpson only saw 15 coverage snaps, so he might be off the field in obvious passing downs. He’ll still be worth an add in deeper leagues.
Week 15 Green Dot: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills
Terrel Bernard was inactive once again this week. Shaq Thompson wore the dot and was on the field for all but a handful of snaps. Matt Milano had his ceiling game this week with 45 snaps. Milano finished with 10 tackles and added 2 sacks. The Bills were in nickel for most of the game.
Week 15 Green Dot: Shaq Thompson
Carolina Panthers
Trevin Wallace was the lone full-time LB for the Panthers, but it was Christian Rozeboom who was the more productive linebacker this week. Rozeboom finished with 6 tackles and added a sack, while Wallace mustered just 3 assists. Rozeboom saw 71% of the snaps, and his 12.2% tackle rate puts him in the LB3/4 in deeper leagues despite the usage. Wallace isn’t a must-start.
Week 15 Green Dot: Trevin Wallace
Chicago Bears
TJ Edwards took over the green dot in Week 15. He was on the field for 100% of the snaps and looked like the Edwards of old, recording 9 tackles. D’Marco Jackson was on for just 67% of the snaps, but was efficient with his playing time, producing a sack and an INT. It looked like the Bears were in single-LB more than usual this week, which puts a cap on Jackson’s IDP value.
Week 15 Green Dot: TJ Edwards
Cincinnati Bengals
Barrett Carter was the lone full-time LB for the Bengals, as he was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Carter might be hitting a rookie wall, as this was his third straight game with fewer than 7 tackles since his 16-tackle outburst in Week 12. The Bengals are still primarily a nickel defense, as Demetrius Knight Jr. was on for 73% of the snaps. Knight displayed his pass-rush prowess against a weak offensive line. He had 12 pass rush snaps and recorded 2 sacks. The Bengals limited the Ravens to 41 offensive snaps, and still got shut out. Knight will be worth a look in deeper leagues if you need the LB help.
Week 15 Green Dot: Barrett Carter
Cleveland Browns
I’m just saying: since I got my Schwesinger jersey, he’s recorded 10+ tackles in every game. Take that for what it’s worth! Schwesinger was on for 100% with the dot and turned in his 5th straight double-digit tackle game. The Browns were in nickel/2-LB for most of the game, as Devin Bush operated as the LB2 and was on for 86% of the snaps. Keep rolling with Schwesinger.
Week 15 Green Dot: Carson Schwesinger
Dallas Cowboys
We finally saw Agent 0 with a full-time role in Week 15. DeMarvion Overshown saw 91% of the snaps this week and now looks to be fully healthy and ramped up. The Cowboys looked to be in nickel/2-LB for most of the game. Logan Wilson out-snapped Kenneth Murray in the rotation this week, but neither is close to being a full-time linebackers. Wilson saw 53% of the snaps while Murray was on for 40%. If Overshown is on waivers, he’ll be worth the add.
Week 15 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray/Logan Wilson
Denver Broncos
Dre Greenlaw had a full-time role for the first time this season, as Denver looked to be in nickel against Green Bay’s personnel. Greenlaw finished with 8 tackles while seeing 84% of the snaps. Alex Singleton was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. I think Greenlaw is an add this week, but with a bit of a downgrade in matchup with the Jaguars. I do think he’s more of an LB4/5 next week. I think Denver uses a similar personnel against the Jags next week.
Week 15 Green Dot: Alex Singleton
Detroit Lions
Jack Campbell was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot, while Alex Anzalone was on the field for all but 4 snaps. Campbell’s heater continues, as he now has 10+ tackles in four of his last five and has seven total games with double-digit tackles. He’s been a tackle machine and just seems to be all around the ball. The Lions were in nickel for most of the game, as Detroit continues to scale back their base/3-LB snaps, as Derrick Barnes was on the field for 69% of the snaps.
Week 15 Green Dot: Jack Campbell
Green Bay Packers
Quay Walker missed a few snaps with an injury, but returned early in the 4th quarter and finished out the contest. Walker wore the dot while he was on the field, but he only missed a few snaps. Edgerrin Cooper was on the field for 100% of the snaps. The Packers have a solid matchup with the Bears in Week 16. As long as Walker is good, start him next week. Keep an eye on Walker’s practice status and keep Isaiah McDuffie on speed dial.
Week 15 Green Dot: Quay Walker
Houston Texans
EJ Speed was inactive this week, so Henry To’oTo’o had the LB2 role all to himself. The Texans were in their nickel for most of the game, but had more base snaps, which featured Christian Harris. Harris saw 50% of the snaps. Azeez Al-Shaair and To’oTo’o were both on the field for 100% of the snaps, with Al-Shaair wearing the dot. It’s good to see Al-Shaair show up with a good performance. To’oTo’o will be worth adding in waivers with his role in their nickel.
Week 15 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair
Indianapolis Colts
The production spike continues for Zaire Franklin, who now has 10+ tackles in four of his last five games. The Colts were in nickel/2-LB for most of their game against Settle. Franklin was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Germaine Pratt saw all but 6 snaps. Pratt and Franklin combined for 20 tackles.
Week 15 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin
Jacksonville Jaguars
There were no major changes with Jacksonville’s defense this week. Foyesade Oluokun was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot, and Devin Lloyd was on the field for all but 5 snaps, as Jacksonville was mostly in their nickel/2-LB defense this week.
Week 15 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were in their nickel/2-LB defense for just under half the game, as they deployed their base/3-LB defense for 37 snaps, as Leo Chenal was on the field for 67% of the snaps. Bolton wore the dot when he was on the field. He missed a handful of snaps, but returned. Drue Tranquill was on the field for all but 4 snaps.
Week 15 Green Dot: Nick Bolton
Las Vegas Raiders
If I had told you that after 15 weeks of football, Devin White would have 4 games of 16+ tackles, you’d probably tell me to stay away from the dispensaries. White logged another 16 tackles in Week 15. He was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Elandon Roberts’s role increased this week against Philadelphia’s personnel, as he was on for 72% of the snaps, and added 9 tackles of his own. The Raiders have been a dime/single-LB defense, so I’m not sure Roberts is a must-add from the wire. The Raiders were trying to stop the run, as Philadelphia ran the ball over 40 times.
Week 15 Green Dot: Devin White
Los Angeles Chargers
An INT saved Daiyan Henley’s fantasy day; otherwise, it was another underwhelming performance. Henley saw 100% of the snaps with the dot. Denzel Perryman and Troy Dye looked to rotate as the LB2 in their nickel. Perryman saw 56% of the snaps and was efficient with his playing time, recording 9 tackles. He’s not a must off the waiver, unless it’s a deeper league, and you’re looking for some LB help and depth. The Chargers have another decent LB matchup with Dallas in Week 16.
Week 15 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley
Los Angeles Rams
Pre-snap, the Rams were in their dime/single-LB defense for 24 snaps, which limited Omar Speights to just 38 snaps against Detroit’s personnel. Nate Landman was the lone full-time LB this week and he was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Landman is the only Rams’ off-ball LB to trust over the next few weeks.
Week 15 Green Dot: Nate Landman
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game. Their 2-LB defense featured five down linemen. Tyrel Dodson was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Jordyn Brooks was on for all but 4 snaps. Brooks and Dodson combined for 23 tackles. Continue to start both of them in Week 16.
Week 15 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson
Minnesota Vikings
There were no major changes with the Vikings’ linebackers this week. Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson were the three-down LBs, with Cashman wearing the dot as usual. Wilson saw all but 2 snaps this week. The Vikings were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game.
Week 15 Green Dot: Blake Cashman
New England Patriots
So, Robert Spillane was active but ended up being held out due to a foot injury and was just an emergency LB. It would’ve been nice to know this going into Sunday, but we had no news to go on. Jack Gibbens was the three-down LB and wore the dot in Spillane’s absence. Christian Elliss saw an increased role, as he was on the field for 86% of the snaps, as they were in nickel/2-LB against Buffalo’s personnel. If Spillane’s injury lingers, Gibbens will be the waiver add.
Week 15 Green Dot: Jack Gibbens
New Orleans Saints
The Saints continue to be more dime/single-LB with Demario Davis as their off-ball LB. Pete Werner was on the field for just 63% of the snaps. Werner’s IDP value has been minimal for some time. Davis was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Davis is the only Saints LB to trust in lineups.
Week 15 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
The Giants looked to be in their nickel/2-LB defense this week. Bobby Okereke was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Darius Muasau had a full-time role as the LB2 and saw 80% of the snaps and led the defense in tackles with 9. It looked like the Giants were in their dime for just 8 snaps this week, so Muasau looks to have some IDP value as an LB4/5 with a full-time role.
Week 15 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets
There were no changes with the Jets’ defense, as they were mostly in nickel and had a handful of snaps with their base/3-LB defense. Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams were both on the field for 100% of the snaps, with Sherwood manning the dot. i would be leery on trusting Williams over the next few weeks. Williams allowed 3 scores and received a sub-30 PFF coverage grade. That type of play is liable to get you benched or have snaps scaled back in passing situations. Sherwood is still the LB to have in your lineups for the playoffs.
Week 15 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood
Philadelphia Eagles
There were no major changes with Philadelphia’s defense, as they limited the Raiders to just 39 offensive snaps. Dean was the efficient one, producing a 24.2% tackle rate while seeing 85% of the snaps (which was 33). Zack Baun was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot.
Week 15 Green Dot: Zack Baun
Pittsburgh Steelers
I’ve removed Payton Wilson, as he had another game well below 70% of the snaps and played just 42%. A sack saved his night. His current usage makes him a risky start in any IDP format or size. Malik Harrison led the rotation at the LB2 spot in Pittsburgh’s nickel defense, as he was on the field for 58% of the snaps. It will be difficult to trust the LB2. Patrick Queen was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot.
Week 15 Green Dot: Patrick Queen
San Francisco 49ers
Tatum Bethune was inactive again. The 49ers didn’t change up their defense, as they were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game. Curtis Robinson and Dee Winters were both on the field for 100% of the snaps, with Robinson wearing the dot. The Titans have been a tougher matchup for LBs, as they combined for 12 tackles.
Week 15 Green Dot: Craig Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
Ernest Jones was the lone full-time LB for the Seahawks in Week 15. It’s hard to trust Drake Thomas in these crucial games, as he saw just 57% of the snaps. Jones was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot and turned in a 10-tackle game. The Seahawks are trusting Nick Emmanwori with more snaps in the box at off-ball LB and he’s rewarding their trust with big plays. Seattle is going more dime/single-LB, so Thomas is droppable.
Week 15 Green Dot: Ernest Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
SirVocea Dennis was inactive for this game, and Nick Jackson drew the start in their first drive, and went nickel. However, it was Deion Jones who saw the majority of the snaps in their nickel/2-LB defense. Jones played 63% of the snaps (45) while Jackson was on for 25% of the snaps (18). Lavonte David was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. If you need an LB for Week 16, Jones is a target in deeper leagues, as he finished with a solid 17.8% tackle rate. The Buccaneers have a “meh” matchup with Carolina next week.
Week 15 Green Dot: Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans
There wasn’t much change with Tennessee’s defense this week. Cedric Gray, tackling machine, is definitely the constant. Gray recorded his 8th game of 10+ tackles (16) and was on the field for all but 7 snaps. Cody Barton continues to be an inefficient tackler despite being a three-down player. Barton saw 100% of the snaps with the dot.
Keep an eye on Gray this week, as he has entered concussion protocol. He missed the final 10 snaps of the game due to the concussion. James Williams looks to be next man up, as he played those final 10 snaps of the game.
Week 15 Green Dot: Cody Barton
Washington Commanders
There wasn’t much change with the Commanders’ off-ball LBs this week. Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu were both on the field for 100% of the snaps, with Wagner wearing the dot. Wagner finished with a modest 7 tackles, but at least 6 were solo. The Commanders were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game.
Week 15 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner
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Awesome content all season. You’ve been a huge part of my IDP success.
Top shelf work! With the Chiefs looking to the future, do you anticipate Bassa being given more run?