2025 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 16
What did Week 16 teach us about the state of the green dot LBs for 2025?
It’s Week 16, and the semi-finals of your fantasy playoffs. Nothing major of consequence happened this week, outside of overthinking our matchups. We hope you have survived and advance to your league’s championship 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 16.
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
Cody Simon was questionable all week, but ended up playing in Week 16. Simon would play 100% of the snaps with the dot. However, as of now, the tackle production just isn’t there. Akeem Davis-Gaither recorded 11 tackles, but was below average in coverage, yet again, and was responsible for a score. The Cardinals were in nickel/2-LB for most of the game, as Gaither was on the field for 88% of the snaps. He’s worth an add if you need an LB4/5 in deeper leagues.
Week 16 Green Dot: Cody Simon
Atlanta Falcons
No major changes with Atlanta’s defense, as they remained in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game. Ronnie Harrison saw snaps in their base defense this week, as he was on the field for 23 snaps. Kaden Elliss and Divine Deablo were both on the field for 100% of the snaps with Elliss wearing the dot. They will be tough to trust with below average production in Week 16, despite the usage.
Week 16 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss
Baltimore Ravens
With Teddye Buchanan out for the year, Trenton Simpson slid into his LB2 role in their nickel/2-LB defense. Against the Patriots, the Ravens went dime/single-LB a bit more often this week (19 snaps). Simpson didn’t see a full-time role, as he saw 72% of the snaps. He still turned in a solid game with 7 tackles and a sack. Roquan Smith was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. If you need an LB for Week 16, Simpson is worth an add in deeper leagues starting 4+ LBs.
Week 16 Green Dot: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills
Terrel Bernard returned in Week 16, but it was Shaq Thompson who got the first series with the dot, and left early in the 1st with an injury and never returned. Bernard took over the dot and finished with 60 snaps. Matt Milano had a full-time role, as he was on for 92% of the snaps. Milano is in the LB3 conversation with back-to-back productive weeks with a full-time role. The Bills looked to be in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game.
Week 16 Green Dot: Terrel Bernard
Carolina Panthers
Trevin Wallace ended up inactive this week and Christian Rozeboom had the three-down role with the dot. Rozeboom stepped up with 8 tackles and a sack. Claudin Cherelus stepped into Rozeboom’s role in their nickel and played 72% of the snaps. It looked like the Panthers were in dime/single-LB a bit more than usual. They only deployed two off-ball LBs in Week 16.
Week 16 Green Dot: Christian Rozeboom
Chicago Bears
Tremaine Edmunds provided his managers a boost this week. He missed the last four weeks being on IR, but was activated ahead of this week’s tilt with Green Bay. Edmunds played in all but a handful of snaps, however, managed 6 tackles (1 solo). The Bears were in their nickel/2-LB for the entire game, and didn’t utilize an LB3. TJ Edwards was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot, and now has 19 tackles over the last two weeks.
Week 16 Green Dot: TJ Edwards
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals’ defense limited Miami to just 43 plays. Barrett Carter was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. An INT saved a ‘meh’ day of tackles. Demetrius Knight ended up playing 79% of the snaps in Cincinnati’s nickel/2-LB defense. The Dolphins weren’t on the field much, so not many opportunities for plays.
Week 16 Green Dot: Barrett Carter
Cleveland Browns
Like Michael Jordan, “It has to be the shoes!”, with Carson Schwesinger, it has to be the jersey. Since acquiring said Schwesinger jersey, he has yet to record fewer than 10 tackles. Schwesinger recoded 12 tackles and added a sack along with a TFL. Devin Bush had his normal role, playing in all but 4 snaps and recording 9 of his own tackles. The Browns were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game. So both LBs are returning IDP value.
Week 16 Green Dot: Carson Schwesinger
Dallas Cowboys
Well, full-time Overshown lasted just 13 snaps this week before a concussion knocked him out of the game. It was Shemar James who replaced him in the Cowboys’ nickel/2-LB defense and was a full-time LB in Overshown’s absence. The green dot rotation between Kenneth Murray/Logan Wilson continued. James had a decent game and showed some improvement in his run defense and fits. If you need an LB4/5 in Week 16, James might be worth an add if Overshown can’t get out of protocol.
Week 16 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray/Logan Wilson
Denver Broncos
Alex Singleton was the lone three-down LB for the Broncos in Week 16. Singleton was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. The Broncos looked to be in their dime/single-LB defense a bit more this week, as Dre Greenlaw was on for 71% of the snaps (50 total).
Week 16 Green Dot: Alex Singleton
Detroit Lions
No major changes with Detroit’s defense. Jack Campbell continues to dominate the tackle share, as he finishes with 14 tackles. The Lions were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game, but were in their 3-LB with Derrick Barnes for 51 snaps. Alex Anzalone was on the field for all but 2 snaps.
Campbell was solid in coverage, allowing just 10 yards after the catch and a 6.3 yard per catch average when targeted.
Week 16 Green Dot: Jack Campbell
Green Bay Packers
Outside of no Micah Parsons, no major changes with Green Bay’s LB usage. They were in nickel for most of the game, but deployed their base/3-LB defense with Isaiah McDuffie for 26 snaps. Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker were both on the field for 100% of the snaps, with Walker wearing the dot. Bad week for poor output from Cooper. Walker has 32 tackles over the last three weeks.
Week 16 Green Dot: Quay Walker
Houston Texans
Azeez Al-Shaair was inactive this week, so Houston stayed in their nickel/2-LB defense for the entire game. Christian Harris didn’t see any snaps this week. Henry To’oTo’o and EJ Speed were both on the field for 100% of the snaps with To’oTo’o wearing the dot.
Week 16 Green Dot: Henry To’oTo’o
Indianapolis Colts
Updated after Monday Night Football.
Week 16 Green Dot: TBD
Jacksonville Jaguars
It looked like Jacksonville went more dime/single-LB this week. Foyesade Oluokun was the lone full-time LB for the Jags this week, as he was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Devin Lloyd ended up seeing just 73% of the snaps, coming off the field in their dime packages. Lloyd had a rough tackling game, as he missed on two of his attempts. He also had a tough day in coverage, allowing 18/rec and 45 yards after the catch. The Jags looked to be in dime for 18 snaps, enough to keep Lloyd from seeing a full-time role.
Week 16 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun
Kansas City Chiefs
Not much change with the Chiefs’ defense. Leo Chenal was placed on IR and it was Jack Cochrane who took his LB3 role in KC’s base/3-LB defense, as he saw 29 snaps. Drue Tranquill saw all but 5 snaps while Nick Bolton was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. KC looked to be in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game. Tranquill had a solid game with 10 tackles, but just 2 solos.
Week 16 Green Dot: Nick Bolton
Las Vegas Raiders
No major changes with the Vegas’ defense. Devin White was the lone three-down LB, as he was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot, and turned in another double-digit tackle game (11). There was a rotation at the LB2 in their nickel/2-LB defense, as Elandon Roberts and Jamal Adams rotated snaps. Roberts did end up out snapping Adams 31-23.
Week 16 Green Dot: Devin White
Los Angeles Chargers
Daiyan Henley was the lone full-time LB for the Chargers this week. Henley saw 100% of the snaps with the dot and still managed just 6 tackles. Denzel Perryman saw just 56% of the snaps, but had as many tackles as Henley. The Chargers looked to be in their dime/single-LB more often this week against Dallas’ personnel.
Week 16 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley
Los Angeles Rams
Nate Landman was the lone full-time off-ball LB for the Rams in Week 16. Omar Speights was a few snaps away from full-time role, as he saw 78% of the snaps, as the Rams were in nickel/2-LB a bit more often this week against Seattle’s personnel. It was disappointing to see Landman with just 5 tackles after his 10 tackle game in Week 15. Speights’s production will fluctuate with his usage.
Week 16 Green Dot: Nate Landman
Miami Dolphins
No major changes with Miami’s defense. They were in nickel/2-LB for the majority of the game with Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson acting as their primary off-ball LBs. Brooks and Dodson sat for 3 snaps while Willie Gay and KJ Britt saw the final 3 snaps. Brooks and Dodson combined for 22 tackles (with Brooks recorded 14). Dodson just missed on a sack with a QB hit.
Week 16 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson
Minnesota Vikings
No big changes with Minnesota’s defense. Ivan Pace continues to get no playing time. Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman were both on the field for 100% of the snaps with Cashman wearing the dot. Cashman, yet again, hits double-digits with 16 tackles. Wilson’s day was saved by a sack. Minnesota continues to be nickel/2-LB with Brian Flores.
Week 16 Green Dot: Blake Cashman
New England Patriots
Robert Spillane was officially inactive for Week 16, none of this “emergency LB” nonsense. Jack Gibbens wore the dot in Spillane’s absence and was on for 100% of the snaps. Christian Elliss was on the field for 67% of the snaps and rotated with Marte Mapu in New England’s nickel/2-LB defense. Jahlani Tavai was involved in their base/3-LB defense and didn’t see any nickel work.
We’ll have to keep an eye on Spillane. He was seen in a walking boot, so his availability for Week 17 might be in question.
Week 16 Green Dot: Jack Gibbens
New Orleans Saints
Demario Davis was the lone three-down LB for the Saints this week, as he was on for 100% of the snaps with dot. Pete Werner and Danny Stutsman continue to rotate as the LB2 in their nickel defense. Stutsman continues to eat into Werner’s usage, as he saw 26 snaps this week. Stutsman is a dynasty stash, as he could be the replacement for Davis.
Week 16 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
The Giants were a bit short-handed at LB, and went dime/single-LB a bit more often this week, and featured three safeties with Dane Belton, Jevon Holland, and Tyler Nubin. Bobby Okereke was the lone three-down LB and wore the dot. Darius Muasau saw just 57% of the snaps. Okereke is the only Giants off-ball LB with any value heading into Week 17.
Week 16 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets
New defensive coordinator, but the Jets didn’t really change much in their scheme. Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams were the three-down LBs, as the Jets continued to be nickel/2-LB in Week 16. Sherwood and Williams were both on the field for 100% of the snaps with Sherwood wearing the dot. Sherwood and Williams combined for 22 tackles, with Sherwood adding a sack and 2 TFLs.
Week 16 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood
Philadelphia Eagles
We’ll need to keep an eye on Nakobe Dean. Dean left early due to a hamstring injury and played just 13 snaps. He really wasn’t needed, so there wasn’t any reason to rush him on the field. Jihaad Campbell ended up replacing him and finished with 36 snaps. Campbell’s IDP value rests on Dean’s hamstring, and looking at some videos, Dean should be okay. Keep an eye on practice reports this week. Zack Baun was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Philly was in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game.
Week 16 Green Dot: Zack Baun
Pittsburgh Steelers
Payton Wilson did see 70% of the snaps at least, a sizable increase from last week. Still not a great game from Wilson, finishing with 2 tackles and missing on two other attempts. Patrick Queen was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. It looked like the Steelers were favoring three safeties, and were in dime/single-LB for over 20 snaps. Queen is the only LB to trust in Week 16.
Week 16 Green Dot: Patrick Queen
San Francisco 49ers
Updated after Monday Night Football.
Week 16 Green Dot: TBD
Seattle Seahawks
Ernest Jones was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot in Week 16. Jones now has four straight with 10+ tackles and is surging at the right time. The Seahawks were in their nickel defense a bit more this week, as Drake Thomas saw a full-time role with 84% of the snaps. If the ‘Hawks go more nickel looks, Thomas will be in the LB3/4 conversation for Week 17.
Week 16 Green Dot: Ernest Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
SirVocea Dennis returned in Week 16 and resumed his three-down role opposite Lavonte David. Dennis was on the field for all but 1 snap and turned in a big game. David was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Tampa remained in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game in Week 16.
Week 16 Green Dot: Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans
Cedric Gray was inactive this week and James Williams filled in as the LB2 in Tennessee’s nickel defense. I would say he filled in admirably. He and Cody Barton each played 100% of the snaps with Barton wearing the dot. Williams recorded 9 tackles (8 solos) and added a sack. As usual, the Titans were mostly in their nickel/2-LB defense this week. We’ll see if Gray clears protocol this week.
Week 16 Green Dot: Cody Barton
Washington Commanders
Well, Bobby Wagner just continues to produce. He started the game out rough, looking slow, out of place on a few plays. However, he managed to finish with 10 tackles and a sack, while adding 2 TFLs. Frankie Luvu and Wagner each played 100% of the snaps, with Wagner wearing the dot. No major changes with the Commanders, but they were in their base/3-LB a bit more. Jordan Magee was on the field for 43% of the snaps.
Week 16 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner
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