2025 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 6

What did Week 6 teach us about the state of the green dot LBs for 2025?

Oct 13, 2025

To quote Clubber Lang from Rocky III, Week 6 taught us one thing: “Pain.” Fred Warner looks to be out for the year with a horrible ankle injury. It also appears that we have a new green dot in Cincinnati. So, where do we go from here?

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 6.

*-Injured

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals were mostly in nickel and featured two off-ball LBs in Week 6 against the Colts. Akeem Davis-Gaither saw 85% of the snaps, but continues to be a coverage liability. Mack Wilson was on for 100% of the snaps with the green dot. I am not overly excited about Davis-Gaither’s usage, and unless you’re in a deeper league and need a waiver fill-in, I’d leave him alone.

Week 6 Green Dot: Mack Wilson

Atlanta Falcons

No changes with Atlanta’s defense coming out of the bye week. The only real change has been Kaden Elliss’s production. It’s definitely off his pace from previous seasons. The Falcons were mostly in their 2-LB defense in Week 6. Elliss and Divine Deablo were both on the field for 100% of the snaps with Elliss wearing the dot. Elliss’s decline in production is coming steep. It might be time to sit him for other options.

Week 6 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss

Baltimore Ravens

Kyle Hamilton returned this week and took over the dot on defense. However, the Ravens were in nickel and featured three safeties for their defense. Teddye Buchanan was on for 100% of the snaps and Trenton Simpson saw all but 3 snaps. The Ravens do look to be featuring two off-ball LBs, so Simpson’s value will be tied to Roquan Smith’s health. Buchanan is entrenched in his role within the Ravens’ defense.

Week 6 Green Dot: Kyle Hamilton

Buffalo Bills

Terrell Bernard left the game in the 2nd with an ankle injury and Shaq Thompson came in and had the three-down role with the dot. Thompson finished with 10 tackles in relief of Bernard, so he’ll be on the radar for waivers this week. We may not know the severity of the injury, but Thompson should be an add in the event Bernard misses any time. Dorian Williams saw 55% of the snaps and looked to get the 2-LB snaps alongside Thompson. He was on the field for the final four defensive series.

The Bills were in dime/single-LB for 13 snaps in Week 6.

Week 6 Green Dot: Terrel Bernard (Shaq Thompson took over the dot when Bernard exited)

Carolina Panthers

Trevin Wallace continued to wear the dot this week and was on for 100% of the snaps. Christian Rozeboom had a full-time role this week, as the Panthers were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game. Rozeboom and Wallace each finished with 6 tackles, but the Cowboys managed 55 snaps.

Week 6 Green Dot: Trevin Wallace

Chicago Bears

TJ Edwards returned in Week 6 and has now taken over the play calling on defense. Edwards now has the dot. When Edwards was out, Noah Sewell took over the dot for Tremaine Edmunds, and it looks like that translated over to Edwards. The Bears were a nickel/2-LB heavy defense in Week 6, as usual, as both Edwards and Edmunds were on the field for 100% of the snaps. Sewell is now droppable in most leagues, as he went back to his role as the LB3 in their base/3-LB defense.

Week 6 Green Dot: TJ Edwards

Cincinnati Bengals

We have a new green dot in Cincinnati—and it came suddenly. Logan Wilson saw just 12 snaps in Week 6. Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. were the off-ball LBs in the Bengals’ nickel/2-LB defense. Carter wore the dot and was in on 100% of the snaps, while Knight was on the field for all but 5 snaps. Carter and Knight should be picked up off waivers this week. You can drop Wilson.

Week 6 Green Dot: Barrett Carter

Cleveland Browns

The Browns were mostly in nickel/2-LB as usual, so no major changes to their personnel. Carson Schwesinger was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Devin Bush continues to see LB2 usage, as he was on or 88% of the snaps. Bush led the defense in tackles (9), with Schwesinger behind him at 8.

Week 6 Green Dot: Carson Schwesinger

Dallas Cowboys

Jack Sanborn missed week 6 with a concussion, and it was Shemar James who stepped in at the LB2 spot. Kenneth Murray was in 100% of the snaps with the dot this week. James was in on 89% of the snaps and led the defense in tackles once again, recording 11 stops. The Cowboys were in their nickel/2-LB, but Marist Liufau saw 26 snaps in their base defense. As long as Sanborn is out, James is a viable IDP play with his production and 21.8% tackle rate.

Week 6 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray

Denver Broncos

Alex Singleton saw 100% of the snaps with the dot in Week 6. Justin Strnad saw a full-time role this week, as he was on the field for 81% of the snaps. Denver went dime/single-LB for 10 snaps. Strnad’s usage has been inconsistent, as he went two games of fewer than 80% of the snaps before seeing a full-time role this week.

Week 6 Green Dot: Alex Singleton

Detroit Lions

There were no major changes to Detroit’s defense. They were in base for the majority of the game with Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, and Derrick Barnes. Campbell and Anzalone were both on the field for 100% of the snaps with Campbell wearing the dot. Barnes was on the field for all but 5 snaps. Barnes had 28 snaps on the edge and 14 snaps off-ball.

Week 6 Green Dot: Jack Campbell

Green Bay Packers

There were no changes in Green Bay’s defense coming out of the bye week. They remain a nickel/2-LB defense as Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker were on for 100% of the snaps. Walker wore the dot as usual. The Packers weren’t in their base for many snaps, as Isaiah McDuffie saw just 6 snaps.

Week 6 Green Dot: Quay Walker

Houston Texans

Bye week.

Week 6 Green Dot: Bye Week

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts wasted no time in acquiring and inserting Germaine Pratt into the starting lineup. It makes sense as Pratt is familiar with Lou Anarumo’s defense during his time with the Bengals. Pratt saw 79% of the snaps and finished with a team-high 11 tackles. If an inpatient leaguemate dropped him, he’s worth the scoop. Zaire Franklin is starting to get tackles, as he finished with 9. Franklin was on for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. The Colts were in nickel but did deploy dime/single-LB for 15 snaps.

Week 6 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin

Jacksonville Jaguars

Keep an eye on Devin Lloyd’s calf injury. He ended up playing just 15 snaps and Liam Coen mentioned he had some calf tightness and held him out as a precaution. Ventrell Miller saw some extra snaps this week as Lloyd’s replacement. Nothing much: just 29 snaps. Foyesade Oluokun was on for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot as usual.

Week 6 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs weren’t in their base as much as Detroit, but had 26 base/3-LB snaps to combat Detroit’s personnel, and were in base more than nickel in Week 6. Nick Bolton was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Drue Tranquill was on for 87% of the snaps. Leo Chenal saw his highest usage of the season with 72%.

Week 6 Green Dot: Nick Bolton

Las Vegas Raiders

Devin White remained the green dot of the defense after Germaine Pratt was released. I didn’t think there’d be a change. White was on for 100% of the snaps. Elandon Roberts slid into Pratt’s vacated LB2 spot and was on for 74% of the snaps. The Raiders played more dime/single-LB (16 snaps) to cover up some of Roberts’ deficiencies. He had a rough game tackling with 2 charted misses. Roberts is more of an LB4/5 as a bye-week streamer.

Week 6 Green Dot: Devin White

Los Angeles Chargers

There were no major changes in the Chargers’ defense this week. Daiyan Henley was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. The Chargers were in nickel/2-LB for the majority of the game, as Troy Dye was on for 85% of the snaps. Dye is looking like a useful LB3/4 over the next few weeks if you need an injury replacement or bye week fill-in.

Week 6 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley

Los Angeles Rams

Omar Speights missed this week and Nate Landman was dealing with an ankle injury near the end of the week. Landman was active, so the question was who would be the LB2? It looked like Troy Reeder got the start, but as the game went on, Shaun Dolac started to out-snap Reeder. Although Dolac saw 45% of the snaps, he out-snapped Reeder by 5 snaps. Dolac recorded a 17.1% tackle rate and the game didn’t look too big for him, playing in the 2nd and most of the 4th. He even saw snaps in their dime/single-LB defense. The Rams went zero-LB for 5 snaps, but Landman was out for the final drive with the game all but wrapped up.

Dolac filled in for Speights admirably. I think he has played his way into more defensive snaps and is worth the stash in deeper and dynasty leagues. Landman dominated the tackle share (17 tackles).

Week 6 Green Dot: Nate Landman

Miami Dolphins

Tyrel Dodson was inactive this week, but the Dolphins remained a nickel/2-LB defense this week. Jordyn Brooks wore the dot on defense, but was off the field for a few snaps. KJ Britt was the LB2 in Dodson’s absence, as he was on the field for but 2 snaps. Britt and Brooks were productive, combining for 22 tackles, with Britt leading the team with 13. Keep an eye on Dodson’s status and if he’s in concussion protocol. If Dodson misses Week 7, he’ll be an LB streamer.

Week 6 Green Dot: Jordyn Brooks

Minnesota Vikings

Bye week.

Week 6 Green Dot: Bye Week

New England Patriots

Robert Spillane was the lone three-down LB for the Patriots in Week 6. Spillane was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot and is having a nice four-week stretch of production, with just one game of fewer than 10 tackles, and that was last week when he had 9. Christian Elliss saw 55% of the snaps alongside Spillane. Jack Gibbens and Jahlani Tavai each saw 19 snaps. I wouldn’t even bother with any of the NE LBs outside of Spillane.

Week 6 Green Dot: Robert Spillane

New Orleans Saints

It looks like Pete Werner might have been benched. Werner saw 38 snaps, as he ceded some usage to Danny Stutsman. The Saints were in dime/single-LB packages for most of the day. Demario Davis was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. In deeper leagues, I might hold Werner just to see if this was due to New England’s personnel. In shallow leagues, you might be able to find a better LB2/3.

Week 6 Green Dot: Demario Davis

New York Giants

Bobby Okereke was the lone three-down LB for the Giants in Week 6 and wore the dot on defense. The Giants were in dime/single-LB for 16 snaps. They also ran a modified nickel that featured one off-ball LB and five up front. Darius Muasau was on for 61% of the snaps and finished with a solo tackle and sack. Okereke and Muasau were the lone off-ball LBs to get snaps on defense, but Okereke is the only Giants’ LB I trust.

Week 6 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke

New York Jets

Jamien Sherwood saw 100% of the snaps with the green dot in Week 6. The Jets were in dime/single-LB for 10 snaps and Francisco Mauigoa was on the field for 50 snaps (83%). Mauigoa finished with 8 tackles (2 solos). Sherwood has reached the 60-tackle mark. The Jets were in nickel/2-LB for the majority of the game against Denver. Mauigoa will continue to have LB3/4 value during the bye weeks.

Week 6 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood

Philadelphia Eagles

Nakobe Dean was activated this week, so the question heading into Week 6 was, “What is Dean’s role?” Well, this week, he didn’t have one. Vic Fangio stated he may not see snaps this week because he didn’t have a camp or preseason and he’s getting ramped up. He saw just 6 special teams snaps. Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell were the full-time LBs this week with Baun wearing the dot. The Eagles were in nickel, but their base still featured two off-ball LBs and five up front. As far as Dean’s role going forward, I’m taking a wait-and-see, but he could be the LB3 in their base. Fangio doesn’t plan on utilizing Campbell on the edge, but that could be coach speak.

Week 6 Green Dot: Zack Baun

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers went with a slight rotation with Payton Wilson and Cole Holcomb, but Wilson ended up with more snaps this week. Patrick Queen saw 100% of the snaps with the dot. Wilson saw fewer snaps this week and was on for 66% of the snaps, while Holcomb saw 34% of the snaps in the LB2 rotation. The Steelers were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game, but the rotation isn’t ideal. We’ll see if the Steelers stick with a full-time LB2 next week, but a rotation isn’t great news heading out of the bye.

Week 6 Green Dot: Patrick Queen

San Francisco 49ers

Here’s to a speedy recovery for Fred Warner. It’s never good to see a combination of the cart and an air cast. Warner’s injury is being called a dislocated/broken ankle, and it’s a season-ender. Tatum Bethune is the next man up. He took over the green dot when Warner exited. Dee Winters was on for 100% of the snaps. I don’t foresee any changes in the 49ers’ defense, but who knows when you lose a leader like Warner. Bethume, at this point, is the LB to target on waivers with Warner out for the year.

Week 6 Green Dot: Fred Warner

Seattle Seahawks

It appears that Tyrice Knight lost his job in Seattle, playing just 2 snaps this week. Drake Thomas appears to be the full-time LB2 in their nickel/2-LB defense, playing 92% of the snaps alongside Ernest Jones, who was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Thomas finished with 9 tackles (2 solos) but did add a sack. We’ll see what happens next week, but Thomas looks to be the LB to target on waivers this week.

Week 6 Green Dot: Ernest Jones

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers remained nickel/2-LB heavy this week with Lavonte David and SirVocea Dennis. David was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot and Dennis was on for 88% of the snaps. David continues to contribute big plays, as he added a sack to his 6-tackle performance and now has an INT or sack in consecutive games.

Week 6 Green Dot: Lavonte David

Tennessee Titans

There were no major changes with the Titans defense. Cody Barton saw 100% of the snaps with the dot. An INT rescued an otherwise drab IDP day. Cedric Gray’s tear continues. Gray was on the field for all but 5 snaps and produced his third-straight 11+ tackle performance. He now has a 22.5% tackle rate over the last 3 weeks. He’s in the LB1 conversation. The Titans remained a nickel/2-LB heavy defense in Week 3.

Week 6 Green Dot: Cody Barton

Washington Commanders

No major changes to Washington’s defense. The Commanders were in nickel for 56 snaps and ran a modified dime with 6 DB/3 DL. Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu were both on the field for 100% of the snaps with Wagner wearing the dot.

Week 6 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner

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