2025 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 4
What did Week 4 teach us about the state of the green dot LBs for 2025?
So, if Week 3 introduced chaos into the LB position, Thanos used the Time Stone to reverse everything in Week 4. Cedric Gray, Payton Wilson, and Trevin Wallace all reverted to their full-time roles this week. There was also a key injury to a prominent Baltimore LB, so keep an eye on that situation throughout the week.
Here’s how the snaps and usage shook out in Week 4.
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 3.
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals were in dime for just 14.5% of their snaps against Seattle. Seattle ran 02 personnel (0 RB/2 TE/3 WR) for some snaps, but played quite a bit of 12 personnel (2 TE), which had Arizona in their base for 53% of the snaps. This led to Akeem Davis-Gaither being on the field more often this week.
Davis-Gaither saw 79% of the snaps and finished with 8 tackles. I think his usage was more personnel-driven, and he’s still a liability in coverage. Mack Wilson was on the field for all but 2 snaps. He left with what looked like a leg injury but he returned soon after. Wilson wore the dot. Wilson had a rough game of his own. I wouldn’t rush to the wire for Davis-Gaither, as he could see reduced snaps next week.
Week 4 Green Dot: Mack Wilson
Atlanta Falcons
There were no real changes with Atlanta’s defense in Week 4. Kaden Elliss and Divine Deablo were on the field for 100% of the snaps, with Elliss wearing the dot. A half sack saved his fantasy day from the doldrums. Elliss saw a season-high 22 edge snaps this week. He also saw a season-low 32 snaps off-ball. That might have contributed to the lack of tackles. The Falcons are a nickel-heavy defense and feature their two off-ball LBs. Their usage makes it tough to keep them out of lineups. Elliss is at least producing big plays. Deablo is an LB4 now that bye weeks are starting up.
Week 4 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss
Baltimore Ravens
The big news out of Baltimore is Roquan Smith’s hamstring injury. He was knocked out after just 29 snaps. The severity is unknown, but he was ruled out pretty quickly. Trenton Simpson came in and played 35 snaps alongside Teddye Buchanan. Buchanan was removed later in the 4th with the game out of hand. As far as the dot goes, it was Kyle Hamilton who took over the play-calling duties. Buchanan had a full-time role, and he’s been the full-time LB2 since Week 2, so Buchanan is the waiver add this week. I’m taking a wait-and-see approach on Simpson.
Week 4 Green Dot: Roquan Smith (Kyle Hamilton when Smith exited)
Update 9/29/2025: Roquan Smith will miss a few weeks with his hamstring injury, so Teddye Buchanan should absorb his snaps and slide into a three-down role. It will be interesting to see if he does get the dot, but as of now, I’m assuming Kyle Hamilton will have it heading into Week 5. Buchanan is the priority add from waivers. I’m taking a wait and see on Trenton Simpson and his usage. In fact, I’m keeping an eye on Jay Higgins. I think he has more upside than Simpson, and Roquan loves his game. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him take snaps from Simpson.
10/2/2025: Kyle Hamilton is not practicing and he was the green dot in Smith’s absence. Teddye Buchanan got time with the dot in the preseason, so there’s a possibility he gets it in Week 5 if Hamilton is out.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills were without Matt Milano in Week 4 and Dorian Williams drew the start. Williams was on for 85% of the snaps this week in Buffalo’s nickel. Terrel Bernard was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Bernard is definitely off to a slow start in these first 4 weeks, recording a 9.3% tackle rate on over 200 snaps. Williams is an LB4/5 in deeper leagues with the byes creeping up, as long as Milano remains out with the Bills still running a nickel-heavy defense.
Week 4 Green Dot: Terrel Bernard
Update 10/2/2025: Matt Milano is back practicing and Dorian Williams has been absent. Milano looks to be on track to return for Week 5.
Carolina Panthers
So, apparently, last week meant nothing. Trevin Wallace had his snaps limited, so it might have been game script, but this week, Wallace was on the field for all but 3 snaps. Christian Rozeboom was in on 100% of the snaps with the dot. I’m still not trusting Wallace as an LB2.
Week 4 Green Dot: Christian Rozeboom
Chicago Bears
TJ Edwards was inactive once again, which makes sense with Chicago’s bye coming up. Noah Sewell got the start once again and wore the dot. Tremaine Edmunds is enjoying his most productive stretch ever since yielding play-calling duties. Will this continue when Edwards returns? I’m sure his IDP managers are hoping so. The Bears were in nickel for most of the game. Sewell saw 50 snaps and Edmunds saw 48.
Week 4 Green Dot: Noah Sewell
Cincinnati Bengals
It looked like Logan Wilson’s rotation with Barrett Carter continued in Week 4. Wilson wore the dot while he was on the field, but he’s losing snaps, which isn’t great. He rotated with Carter, not only in single-LB, but their base defense, as well, with Carter getting time with the dot. He's borderline droppable in shallow leagues, as he’s just not productive as he once was. Over the last two games, he has 10 tackles after recording 15 over his first two. Demetrius Knight had a full-time role this week, as he saw 88% of the snaps and produced his second double-digit tackle game of the season. Carter is worth a speculative add. The Bengals were in nickel for most of the game, and only had 4 dime snaps.
Week 4 Green Dot: Logan Wilson
Cleveland Browns
Carson Schwesinger was on the field for all but 4 snaps. As usual, Scwhesinger wore the dot on defense and turned in an 8-tackle game with an 80.6 PFF grade. Devin Bush was on for his usual role in Cleveland’s nickel, as he saw 82% of the snaps. Bush had another 8 tackle game and has been a serviceable LB3 in most IDP formats.
Week 4 Green Dot: Carson Schwesinger
Dallas Cowboys
Kenneth Murray wore the dot in Week 4 while Jack Sanborn was in on 75% of the snaps. Sanborn is now producing a 15% tackle rate and, even though his usage is below 80%, he’s startable with his production. He’s leading the Cowboys in tackles and now has 7+ tackles in three straight games. The Cowboys were in nickel for most of the game, and Shemar James got in some snaps alongside Murray (23).
Week 4 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray
Update 10/2/2025: Kenneth Murray is dealing with a knee injury and his status for Week 5 is now up in the air. If Murray misses, Jack Sanborn should take the green dot and have a three-down role. If I were to guess, Marist Liufau slides into the LB2 role in their nickel defense.
Denver Broncos
Alex Singleton was the lone three-down LB for Denver in Week 4. Singleton saw 100% of the snaps with the dot. The Broncos were in dime for 16 snaps, which limited Justin Strnad’s snaps this week. Strnad saw just 56% of the snaps this week. Singleton has had a nice three game stretch with 9+ tackles in that span. Strnad is still a risky LB4 with his inconsistent usage.
Week 4 Green Dot: Alex Singleton
Detroit Lions
It was another big game for Jack Campbell, who was on the field for 100% of snaps and wore the dot alongside Alex Anzalone, who also played 100%. Campbell hit double-digits for the first time since Week 1 and now has a 14.7% tackle rate. Anzalone added a sack to his 6-tackle game. Derrick Barnes was on for 91% of the snaps. He saw fewer snaps on the edge this week (16) and played more off-ball against Cleveland’s personnel. Barnes was on for 38 snaps off-ball.
Week 4 Green Dot: Jack Campbell
Green Bay Packers
Once again, the Packers were in nickel for most of the game, and Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker were both on the field for 100% of the snaps. Walker, as usual, wore the dot and looks like a completely different LB this year. He’s quick and flying all over the field. So far, Walker has one game with fewer than 9 tackles. Cooper has a 2:1 solo-to-assist ratio, recorded 7 tackles, and is second on the team in total tackles.
Week 4 Green Dot: Quay Walker
Houston Texans
This game was ugly. Azeez Al-Shaair was on the field for all but 3 snaps and wore the dot on defense. Something to note: Henry To’oTo'o saw just 24 snaps while EJ Speed was on for 28 snaps. I am trying to learn my lesson from Week 3 and not overreact. To’oTo’o started 4 of the first five defensive series, but ceded three of the final series to Speed, as he got more playing time in the second half. We’ll see next week if Speed has truly overtaken To’oTo’o for the LB2 spot in Houston’s nickel. Houston was mostly 2-LB (43) snaps, so definitely a situation to monitor. This week, To’oTo’o had trouble tackling with a 49.9 tackling grade and a missed tackle. Speed is preemptive add off waiver wires if he sees more playing time going forward, especially in deeper leagues.
Week 4 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair
Indianapolis Colts
It was another lackluster game for Zaire Franklin. Keep in mind: he was dealing with an ankle injury and played through it. Franklin was in on 100% of the snaps with the dot. While he recorded 7 tackles, he just had 1 solo. Franklin was the lone full-time LB. There was a rotation alongside Franklin, as Joe Bachie saw just 33 snaps. Austin Ajiake saw 19 and Chad Muma saw 10. If you have other options at LB, Franklin might be a bench candidate, especially if this ankle injury lingers.
Week 4 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin
Jacksonville Jaguars
Even though Foyesade Oluokun was able to return, keep an eye on his injury status throughout the week. He missed a few snaps due to an undisclosed injury. He did have a big forced fumble and recovery near the end of the game to salvage his IDP day. Devin Lloyd was in all but 4 snaps. Lloyd had a big fantasy day, recording 8 tackles and 2 INTs. We’ll see if his usage continues into next week, or if it was due to Oluokun’s injury. Ventrell Miller saw no snaps, while Jack Kiser saw 11.
If Foye misses any time, it appears Kiser might be the next man up. The Jaguars under Anthony Campanile still look to be in nickel, but this is an aggressive defense that’s hellbent on forcing turnovers.
Week 4 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were in nickel for most of the game, but we got average production out of the off-ball LBs. Nick Bolton was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot while Drue Tranquill saw 90% of the snaps. With this snap volume, Tranquill has IDP value, although he’s more of an LB4/5 at this point.
Week 4 Green Dot: Nick Bolton
Las Vegas Raiders
Once again, Devin White was the lone three-down LB and was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. There were no major changes to the Raiders defense this week. Germaine Pratt saw 88% of the snaps and saw fewer edge snaps and more snaps off-ball. In Week 3, Pratt saw 26 LB snaps; this week, he was up to 37 snaps at LB. The Raiders were primarily in nickel in Week 4.
Week 4 Green Dot: Devin White
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers went more nickel in Week 4, which increased Troy Dye’s usage to 86% of the snaps. Dye was all over the field, racking up 12 tackles (3 solos). Daiyan Henley was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot and finished with 9 tackles (8 solos). If Dye’s full-time usage continues, he’ll have value during the bye weeks. I’d pick him up over guys like Trevin Wallace and Darius Muasau. We’ll see if the Chargers continue to be nickel-heavy.
Week 4 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley
Los Angeles Rams
Nate Landman was the lone full-time LB for the Rams in Week 4. He was on the field for all but 2 snaps, as the Rams went zero-LB for a few snaps. Omar Speights saw 75% of the snaps in their nickel defense. With the way injuries were piling up in Week 4 and now bye weeks, he might be a waiver add and provide some IDP value.
Week 4 Green Dot: Nate Landman
Miami Dolphins
Jordyn Brooks either ruined or saved your Monday night. There was no in between. Brooks was one of 3 IDPs to go over 13 tackles. He saw Cedric Gray’s 17 tackles, and said “bet.” Brooks finished with 18 tackles (15 solos). Tyrel Dodson had a solid game of his own, contributing 9 tackles and a strip sack. Brooks and Dodson were both on the field for 100% of the snaps, as Miami was in nickel for most of the game. Dodson continues to wear the dot on defense.
Week 4 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings looked to be nickel/2-LB heavy this week with Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace Jr. Pace was on for 77% of the snaps and turned in an OK game, but had just 2 solos. Eric Wilson was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot and turned in 9 tackles. Harrison Smith’s role is mainly sub-packages, so it’s good news for Pace’s usage. He’s an LB4 in deeper leagues.
Week 4 Green Dot: Eric Wilson
New England Patriots
Robert Spillane was the lone three-down LB in Week 4 for the Patriots. Spillane was on for 100% of the snaps until he and the starters were pulled due to the blowout. Spillane wore the dot and turned in his second consecutive double-digit tackle performance. Christian Elliss saw more snaps (39), but still rotated with Jack Gibbens as he was on the field for 31 snaps. Once again, Elliss was more off-ball as he saw just one defensive line snap.
Week 4 Green Dot: Robert Spillane
New Orleans Saints
The Saints ran more dime/single-LB this week, as Pete Werner saw just 69% of the snaps. The Saints were in single-LB for five of their defensive series (18 total snaps). Werner’s low usage definitely contributed to his low tackle share, recording just 3 solos. Werner’s initial PFF grades aren’t great (41.5 overall). Demario Davis saw 100% of the snaps with the dot. Werner is a risky LB2, and for IDP, might be more of an LB4/5 if the bye weeks start wreaking havoc. In shallow leagues, he can probably be dropped for another option this week.
Week 4 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
The Giants got some healthy bodies back at LB, which allowed them to move Abdul Carter back to the edge. Darius Musasu was in on nickel, but saw just 50% of the snaps, as the Giants went dime/single-LB and went with 3-safeties on 17 snaps. Bobby Okereke was the lone three-down LB, as he was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Okereke is the only Giants LB to trust right now.
Week 4 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets
With Quincy Williams sidelined for the next few weeks, it was Francisco (Kiko) Mauigoa who got the snaps in nickel opposite Jamien Sherwood. Mauigoa was on the field for all but 6 snaps. Mauigoa will be the LB to target in mid/deep leagues if you need the LB during the bye weeks or injury fill-ins. Sherwood was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Sherwood had 10 tackles, just one solo.
Week 4 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood
Philadelphia Eagles
Zack Baun popped up on the injury report, but he played as expected. Baun and Jihaad Campbell were both on the field for 100% of the snaps. We’re headed into Week 5, so we might be getting some news on Nakobe Dean soon. Campbell was deployed on 18 edge snaps this week. Baun wore the dot and his big play ability continues, as he had a strip sack to go along with his 8 tackles. The Eagles are primarily a nickel/2-LB defense, so we’ll see if that continues if/when Dean returns.
Week 4 Green Dot: Zack Baun
Pittsburgh Steelers
Maybe Payton Wilson just needed a wake-up call? After seeing fewer than 50% of snaps in Week 3, Wilson played 86% of the snaps in Week 4. He was clearly ahead of Cole Holcomb in the LB2 rotation, as Wilson started every series (but one) in nickel packages. Holcomb saw just 10 snaps. Patrick Queen was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Queen and Wilson combined for 24 tackles. Wilson should be picked up and stashed if he remains a full-time LB.
Week 4 Green Dot: Patrick Queen
San Francisco 49ers
There were no major changes to the 49ers defense. They remain a nickel-heavy defense, featuring two off-ball LBs. Fred Warner and Dee Winters were on the field for 100% of the snaps, with Warner wearing the dot. Both are weekly IDP starters.
Week 4 Green Dot: Fred Warner
Seattle Seahawks
It started last week, but it appears Drake Thomas has overtaken Tyrice Knight for the LB2 spot in their nickel defense. Thomas got the start, and there was a series rotation, but Knight was consistently removed on 3rd down for Thomas. Knight had 0 third-down snaps. Thomas was on the field for 66% while Knight saw just 31%. In deeper leagues, you might want to target Thomas. Knight is droppable. Ernest Jones was on for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot.
Week 4 Green Dot: Ernest Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It was not a great day at the office for Lavonte David, as he finished with just 3 tackles. David was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. SirVocea Dennis was on for all but 4 snaps. Tampa remains a nickel-heavy defense, as there hasn’t been much change through the first four weeks. Dennis’ PFF grades have steadily increased since a disastrous Week 2.
Week 4 Green Dot: Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans
Last week, it appeared Cedric Gray and Kyzir White were in a rotation as Gray saw just 56% of the snaps. So, of course, this week, Gray has nearly a three-down role and White has 0 snaps. Gray was on for all but 4 snaps and went off for 17 tackles. Day is night, up is down. Cody Barton played 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. The Titans were in nickel for most of the game. If you held on to Gray, I’d continue to do so.
Week 4 Green Dot: Cody Barton
Washington Commanders
Frankie Luvu saw just 12 snaps on the edge and contributed 8 tackles, as he was mostly off-ball in Week 4. Bobby Wagner continues to produce, as he recorded another 10+ tackles. Luvu and Wagner were both on the field for 100% of the snaps while Wagner wore the dot. Washington continues to be nickel-heavy with Luvu and Wagner off-ball.
Week 4 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner
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Thank you, every week there’s so much great information you put out.
Excellent update Mike, thanks brother.