2025 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 17
What did Week 16 teach us about the state of the green dot LBs for 2025?
It’s Week 17; Championship Week. No major injuries, however, even some of the elite LBs are prone to the duds at the wrong time. We’re looking at you Roquan Smith. Hopefully, you’ve all survived and will be adding some trophies to the bookcase or some cash to the bank account.
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 17.
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
Well, we had full-time Akeem Davis-Gaither over the last few weeks, and then a revenge game with the Bengals. Gaither ends up playing just 52% of the snaps. It looked like they were in dime/single-LB for most of the game. Cody Simon was the lone full-time LB, as he was on for 100% of the snaps, and finished with a career-high 15 tackles. If you have a Week 18 title game, I don’t trust Gaither.
Week 17 Green Dot: Cody Simon
Atlanta Falcons
Updated after Monday Night Football.
Week 17 Green Dot: TBD
Baltimore Ravens
Well, elite IDPs aren’t immune to the playoff disappointment. Roquan Smith joined the likes of Jahmyr Gibbs and CeeDee Lamb as elite fantasy producers who failed to deliver in championship week. The Ravens limited the Packers to just 47 plays. Smith saw 41 snaps with the dot and managed just 3 tackles (1 solo). Pre-snap, the Ravens were in dime for 16 snaps, and Trenton Simpson was mostly on the field for their nickel/2-LB defense. Simpson ended up seeing 68% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills
Terrel Bernard started the game with the dot, but a calf injury knocked him out after 27 snaps. Shaq Thompson would replace Bernard and wear the dot the rest of the game. Injury concerns are now starting to pop up for Bernard, and it might be time to sell in dynasty. Matt Milano had a three-down role this week and was on the field for all but 1 snap (53). Milano has had a nice stretch of game during the fantasy playoffs, recording 26 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 4 TFLs.
Week 17 Green Dot: Terrel Bernard. Shaq Thompson took over after Bernard left with injury.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers looked to be in their dime/single-LB defense for most of the game. With Trevin Wallace on IR, Christian Rozeboom was the lone full-time LB, as he was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. He finished with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery. Claudin Cherelus was the LB2 in their nickel, but saw just 56% of the snaps, as Carolina went with a single off-ball LB for most of the game.
Week 17 Green Dot: Christian Rozeboom
Chicago Bears
No major changes with Chicago’s defense and how they deployed their off-ball LBs. The injury news is that Noah Sewell looked to tear his Achilles, so that could impact his 2026 season. Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards were both on the field for all but one snap and Edwards wore the dot. The Bears were in their nickel/2-LB for most of the game.
Week 17 Green Dot: TJ Edwards
Cincinnati Bengals
The poor finish for Barrett Carter continued, as he recorded just 3 tackles; his fourth game of fewer than 5 tackles over the last five weeks. Carter was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Carter sat in the 4th with the game out of hand. Demetrius Knight was on for just 60% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Barrett Carter
Cleveland Browns
There was a bit of a scare with Carson Schwesinger as it looked like he had a thigh injury, but he didn’t miss a snap. Schwesinger was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot and finished with 10 tackles for the 7th straight game. The Browns were in their nickel for most of the game, as Devin Bush saw 75% of the snaps; his first game below 80% of the snaps since Week 13. He turned in another solid game with 9 tackles and a forced fumble.
Week 17 Green Dot: Carson Schwesinger
Dallas Cowboys
It looks as if though the green dot rotation ended in Week 17, and we might have seen the last of Logan Wilson in a Cowboys’ uniform. Wilson didn’t see a defensive snap in Week 17, so that marks two benchings on some awful defenses. Kenneth Murray saw 100% of the snaps with the dot in Week 17. Demarvion Overshown was inactive, and Shemar James got the LB2 snaps in Dallas’ nickel/2-LB defense. James ended up with 82% of the snaps. Overall, Dallas limited Washington to just 44 snaps, so not many opportunities for tackles, and were in their nickel defense for the majority of the game.
Week 17 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray
Denver Broncos
Dre Greenlaw was inactive due to a hamstring injury suffered last week against Jacksonville. Justin Strnad was on the field for 51% of the snaps, but looked to be in single-LB for the majority of the game. They had a modified nickel with 5 DL/5 DB/1 LB. Alex Singleton was the lone three-down LB, as he saw 100% of the snaps with the dot. They even moved Jahdae Barron down and played him in the box for 8 snaps as an off-ball LB.
Week 17 Green Dot: Alex Singleton
Detroit Lions
Another elite LB disappointed in Week 17. Cambell had 11+ tackles in five of six entering Week 17, and managed just 6 tackles (2 solos). Campbell was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Alex Anzalone left mid-game with a concussion and played in just 57% of the snaps. Derric Barnes saw all but 2 snaps this week, and played 53% of his snaps on the edge. Malcolm Rodriguez was Analone’s replacement in Detroit’s nickel, as he would finish with 19 snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Jack Campbell
Green Bay Packers
No major changes with Green Bay’s defense in Week 17. They were mostly in their base/3-LB defense to counter Baltimore’s run game. Isaiah McDuffie saw 68% of the snaps, while Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper were both on the field for 100% of the snaps. Walker and Cooper stepped up in Week 17, combining for 22 tackles. Walker added a sack to his stat sheet.
Week 17 Green Dot: Quay Walker
Houston Texans
The Texans were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game in Week 17. Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o were both on the field for all but 2 snaps. Al-Shaair looked to get banged up, but he didn’t miss any time. To’oTo’o led the way with 12 tackles and he was all over the field.
Week 17 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair
Indianapolis Colts
No real changes with Indy’s defense, as they were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game. Zaire Franklin was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot, but finished with just 5 tackles. Germaine Pratt finished with 7 tackles (5 solos) and added an impressive INT in the endzone with nice coverage. Pratt was on the field for 88% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars looked to be in nickel for most of the game, as Devin Lloyd saw a full-time role this week, playing 88% of the snaps. It didn’t translate to production, as Foyesade Oluokun dominate the tackle share with 12 tackles. Foye was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot.
Week 17 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun
Kansas City Chiefs
No major changes with KC’s defense in Week 17, despite being eliminated from the playoffs. Nick Bolton saw 100% of the snaps and came up big for his managers, recording 12 tackles and an INT. If you needed to start Drue Tranquill, he added 9 tackles of his own (including 7 solos). The Chiefs were mostly in their nickel/2-LB defense. Bolton saw 100% of the snaps while Tranquill was on for 90% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Nick Bolton
Las Vegas Raiders
Devin White is the poster boy for tackles≠good player. He’s among the leaders in missed tackles and yards allowed in coverage. Now, that said, he’s been a tremendous fantasy asset because the Raiders don’t have any other choice. White is one of two off-ball LBs who have played 100% of the snaps and he wore the dot in Week 17. Elandon Roberts was on the field for 75% of the snaps and Tommy Eichenberg got some snaps (13) and Jamal Adams got snaps in their base/3-LB defense, as he saw 42% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Devin White
Los Angeles Chargers
Daiyan Henley finally delivered a 10 tackle game, but he managed just 2 solos. Henley was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. With Denzel Perryman suspended, the Charger rotated the LB2 spot with Troy Dye and Del'Shawn Phillips. The Chargers were mostly in nickel, but ran a modified base with two off-ball LBs and 5 linemen up front.
Week 17 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley
Los Angeles Rams
Updated after Monday Night Football.
Week 17 Green Dot: TBD
Miami Dolphins
The news out of Miami is the groin injury Jordyn Brooks suffered this week. The injury knocked him out after 43 snaps. Even if he was okay to return, I doubt he would have with the game out of hand. KJ Britt replaced Brooks. Tyrel Dodson was in on 55 snaps and wore the dot.
Week 17 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings were mostly in their nickel and base defense, but Brian Flores ran a modified base with two off-ball LBs and 5 linemen. Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman were both on the field for 100% of the snaps with Cashman wearing the dot, as usual. Cashman has been on quite the heater for his managers, recording 10+ tackles in four straight and 16+ in consecutive games. Flores played just two off-ball LBs, as Ivan Pace saw just special teams duty.
Week 17 Green Dot: Eric Wilson
New England Patriots
Robert Spillane was inactive yet again in Week 17. Jack Gibbens was was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. The Patriots limited the Jets to just 36 snaps and Christian Elliss was on for 33 snaps. Not many plays to be had for the defensive players in this one.
Week 17 Green Dot: Jack Gibbens
New Orleans Saints
Demario Davis played the majority of the game with the dot, but was off the field for the final defensive series for Danny Stutsman (who took over the dot). Stutsman and Pete Werner rotated at the LB2 spot in the Saints’ nickel/2-LB defense. I didn’t see anything about an injury for Davis, so keep an eye on things this week. Stutsman looks to be the MIKE replacement for Davis, so he’s worth a dynasty stash.
Week 17 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
Bobby Okereke was the lone full-time off-ball LB for the Giants in Week 17. Okereke was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Darius Muasau saw just 61% of the snaps in their nickel/2-LB defense. The Giants ran a modified nickel which was a single-LB pacakge with 5 DL/5 DB.
Week 17 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets
No major changes with the Jets defense this week. They were mostly in their nickel/2-LB defense. Jamien Sherwood was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot while Quincy Williams was on the field for all but 3 snaps. The Jets’ offense is awful, so it might be buyer beware for opposing LBs in Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood
Philadelphia Eagles
With no Nakobe Dean, Jihaad Campbell slid into his role in Philly’s nickel/2-LB defense. Campbell was on the field for all but 4 snaps. Zack Baun was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot.
Week 17 Green Dot: Zack Baun
Pittsburgh Steelers
Patrick Queen was the lone full-time LB for Pittsburgh in Week 17. Queen was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. While Pittsburgh looked to be in their nickel/2-LB defense, there remained a rotation at the LB2 spot with Payton Wilson an Malik Harrison. Harrison ended up out snapping Wilson 26-23. There won’t be any resting players next week with the AFC North on the line.
Week 17 Green Dot: Patrick Queen
San Francisco 49ers
No major changes with the 49ers’ defense and their off-ball LBs. They were in their base/3-LB defense for 14 snaps, but were nickel-heavy for the game. Tatum Bethune and Dee Winters were both on the field for 100% of the snaps with Bethune manning the dot.
Week 17 Green Dot: Tatum Bethune
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks looked to be in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game. Drake Thomas had a full-time role, as he was on the field for 85% of the snaps alongside Ernest Jone. Jones saw
Week 17 Green Dot: Ernest Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
No major changes with Tampa’s defense. They remained a nickel/2-LB defense in Week 17. Lavonte David was on the field for 100% of the snap with the dot. SirVocea Dennis was on the field for 84% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans
Cedric Gray returned at the right time. After missing last week with a concussion, Gray returned in Week 17 and took over his LB2 role in Tennessee’s defense. The Titans were mostly in nickel, as Cody Barton and Gray were both on the field for 100% of the snaps with Barton wearing the dot. Gray extended his double-digit tackle streak to 3 games, and now has 9 such games. Cody Barton was on the field. That’s all I can say.
Week 17 Green Dot: Cody Barton
Washington Commanders
No major changes with Washington’s defense. The Commanders were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game. Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu were both on the field for 100% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner
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