2025 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 7

What did Week 7 teach us about the state of the green dot LBs for 2025?

Oct 20, 2025

Barry Zito’s curveball couldn’t match the twists of Week 7. The LBs who returned from injury set off a defensive domino effect and left us confused and hoodwinked.

What else happened during a wild week? Here were my observations of the LB position in Week 7.

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 7.

*-Injured

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game in Week 7. Mack Wilson was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the green dot. In a decent matchup, he only managed 3 solo tackles. Akeem Davis-Gaither was on the field for 88% of the snaps against Green Bay’s personnel. He led the defense in tackles (8), but tough to count on him for consistent snaps and usage. Davis-Gaither was a bit better in coverage, as he allowed just 17 yards and 9 yards after the catch. I don’t think you need to rush to the wire for him, as the Cards are on bye next week.

Week 7 Green Dot: Mack Wilson

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game, but the news out of this game was Divine Deablo, who played just 9 snaps before exiting with a forearm injury and was ruled out pretty quickly. JD Bertrand was his replacement and he played 100% of the snaps alongside Kaden Elliss. Bertrand finished with 10 tackles and is on the waiver wire radar this week if Deablo’s injury is a week-to-week thing. Elliss was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the green dot.

Week 7 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss

Baltimore Ravens

Bye week.

Week 7 Green Dot: Bye Week

Buffalo Bills

Bye week.

Week 7 Green Dot: Bye Week

Carolina Panthers

Christian Rozeboom remains productive in his role with the Panthers and is producing similar numbers as when he was with the Rams. He saw 74% of the snaps and had 7 tackles (just 2 solos). Rozeboom is lucky the LB depth is bare, but with the trade deadline looming, his head needs to be on a swivel. His coverage has been a liability. Trevin Wallace was on for 100% of the snaps, but had another “meh” game. He’s another one of those outliers where production isn’t meeting the volume.

Carolina was in nickel for most of the game, but did use dime/single-LB on 16 snaps.

Week 7 Green Dot: Trevin Wallace

Chicago Bears

The Bears remained in their nickel/2-LB defense this week with TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. Edwards remained the green dot on defense. Edmunds has been a completely different defender in this defense and without the dot responsibility. Although he failed to reach 10 tackles, he recorded a sack and an INT, his 3rd. He’s one of the more improved defenders in IDP. He’s exceeding his LB41 ADP for sure.

Week 7 Green Dot: TJ Edwards

Cincinnati Bengals

The green dot remained with Barrett Carter this week, as he was on the field for 100% of the snaps. Logan Wilson saw more snaps, but is still relegated to their base/3-LB defense. Wilson was on for just 21 snaps and saw no nickel/2-LB snaps. Could he be a trade target with the deadline looming? Demetrius Knight Jr. was on for 85% of the base snaps and 93% of the nickel, as he rotated one drive with Oren Burks. Carter is a must-add if he hasn’t been picked up already, and Knight is worth adding with his usage as the LB2 in their nickel/2-LB defense.

Week 7 Green Dot: Barrett Carter

Cleveland Browns

There were no major changes to Cleveland’s defense in Week 7. They were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game. They limited Miami’s offense to just 49 snaps. Carson Schwesinger saw 100% of the snaps with the dot and recorded 6 tackles. He did add a QB hit and had a sack nullified by a penalty. Devin Bush was on the field for 84% of the snaps. Miami’s offense didn’t do much of anything.

Week 7 Green Dot: Carson Schwesinger

Dallas Cowboys

Jack Sanborn returned in Week 7, but you wouldn’t have known it, as he logged 0 defensive snaps. He might have been Wally Pipp’d by Shemar James, who retained his full-time role even with Sanborn returning. The Cowboys were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game, as James was on the field for all but one snap and recorded 7 tackles and a sack. He looks quicker and plays with more urgency. Kenneth Murray was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot and finished with 9 tackles and a sack. Sanborn even lost out on the base snaps to Marist Liufau. It appears as if Sanborn is droppable and James is the LB2 going forward. If James is still on your wire, grab him.

Week 7 Green Dot: Kenneth Murray

Denver Broncos

It was good to see Dre Greenlaw on the field. Greenlaw was activated this week off IR and made his 2025 debut. The big question, of course, was what his workload would be. It was reported he’d be on a snap count, and that was the case. Greenlaw was on for 27% of the snaps, but made those snaps count as he finished with 6 tackles (1 solo). Greenlaw didn’t play the second half. Alex Singleton remained the lone three-down LB, as he was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Justin Strnad saw the majority of the snaps in the LB2 rotation, as he was on for 53%. We’ll see if Greenlaw’s workload increases next week.

Week 7 Green Dot: Alex Singleton

Detroit Lions

No changes with Detroit’s defense this week. Jack Campbell and Alex Anzlone were on the field for 100% of the snaps with Campbell wearing the dot. Campbell just seems to be everywhere this year. Derrick Barnes was on for 89% of the snaps, and has become a ‘Frankie Luvu’ for Dan Campbell’s defense. Barnes had 39 snaps on the edge this week.

Week 7 Green Dot: TBD

Green Bay Packers

Quay Walker got dinged in the 4th, but was able to return. Walker wore the dot while he was on the field. Edgerrin Cooper ended up seeing all but 2 snaps. The Packers were in their base/3-LB defense a bit more often as Isaiah McDuffie saw 32 snaps, but not enough to be considered in IDP leagues.

Week 7 Green Dot: Quay Walker

Houston Texans

Azeez Al-Shaair was the lone full-time LB for the Texans in Week 7. Al-Shaair was on for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. EJ Speed and Henry To’oTo’o rotated at the LB2 spot. Speed out snapped To’oTo’o in their nickel/2-LB defense, but still only saw 66% of the snaps while To’oTo’o saw 61%. To’oTo’o was rarely used on 3rd downs, and was primarily on early downs. The LB2 role in Houston is one to avoid at this point.

Week 7 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair

Indianapolis Colts

Zaire Franklin had a nice three-game stretch, but he’s not the elite producer in Lou Anarumo’s defense. I think if you have other options at LB, you can bench him. It’s tough to recommend outright dropping a three-down LB. Franklin was on for 100% of the snaps in a decent matchup, but only managed 5 tackles (2 solos). Germaine Pratt may have lost his full-time role. He proved a liability in coverage, as he was responsible for two scores. Pratt was on the field for 63% of the snaps, and he was coming off in passing situations. It looked like Indianapolis went dime/single-LB to prevent the Chargers from throwing on them. The Colts LBs are tough to trust, but we have six teams on bye next week. Pratt’s definitely tough to trust.

Week 7 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin

Jacksonville Jaguars

Devin Lloyd was declared out early in the week, and it was Ventrell Miller who got the full-time role as the LB2 in Jacksonville’s nickel/2-LB defense. He responded with 8 tackles. I wouldn’t bother with Miller on waivers, as the Jaguars have the Week 8 bye and Lloyd could be healthy by then. Foyesade Oluokun was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. It looked like Jacksonville was mostly in their nickel/2-LB defense in Week 7.

Week 7 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun

Kansas City Chiefs

There was nothing much to glean here. The Chiefs defense had just 35 snaps. In the entire game. (Yes, you read that correctly.) When Bolton was on the field, he was the green dot. The Chiefs pulled some of their starters near the end of the game.

Week 7 Green Dot: Nick Bolton

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders were mostly in their nickel/2-LB defense this week, as Devin White and Elandon Roberts had full-time roles in Week 8. White was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot, and exploded for 16 tackles. Elandon Roberts was on the field for all but 6 snaps, and looks to have a full-time role. Roberts surged for 18 of his own tackles. Roberts is worth adding from the wire ahead of their Week 8 bye week.

Week 7 Green Dot: Devin White

Los Angeles Chargers

Daiyan Henley is another who has left us hoodwinked, bamboozled, led astray, run amok, and flat out deceived. Henley finished Week 7 with just 2 assists, despite a three-down role and 100% of the snaps. He’s another we might just have to bench until there are some signs of a turnaround. I know he’s one of the guys I’ll be adjusting projections on. Troy Dye was inactive, and Denzel Perryman returned and saw 69% of the snaps. The Chargers were in dime/single-LB more often this week (17 snaps), and with Perryman’s usage, he doesn’t have much IDP value.

Week 7 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley

Los Angeles Rams

With Omar Speights back, Shaun Dolac was a special teamer once again. Speights didn’t have a full-time role, as the Rams were mostly in their dime/single-LB defense (30 snaps). Speights saw 58% of the snaps. Nate Landman was the green dot and came off for a few zero-LB snaps, and the final defensive series with the game out of hand. Troy Reeder got the garbage time snaps. The Rams have their bye in Week 8.

Week 7 Green Dot: Nate Landman

Miami Dolphins

Tyrel Dodson returned in Week 7 and resumed the green dot duties. He turned in a solid game with 8 tackles and added a sack. Jordyn Brooks was in a three-down role and added 9 tackles of his own. Miami remained a nickel/2-LB defense, and both Dodson and Brooks are weekly starters.

Week 7 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson

Minnesota Vikings

Blake Cashman was activated from IR this week and was immediately back in the starting lineup. Cashman was on for 100% of the snaps and resumed his dot duties. I think the biggest surprise was the LB2. I had assumed Ivan Pace Jr. would continue in that role, and Eric Wilson would be the LB3 in their base. Pace didn’t see a defensive snap in Week 7, while Wilson had a full-time role and played 84% of the snaps. He was unleashed in the pass rush. He had 13 pass rush snaps with an 11.5% sack rate and a 53.8% pressure rate.

The Vikings were in dime/single-LB for just 8 snaps. I might wait a week, if you can, to decide on Pace, but in shallow leagues, he’s droppable.

Week 7 Green Dot: Blake Cashman

New England Patriots

The Patriots dominated the Titans and held them to just 53 snaps. Robert Spillane was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. The Patriots introduced a nasty rotation and were splitting time among Christian Elliss, Jahlani Tavai, Jack Gibbens, and Marte Mapu, who was the only LB to see 20 snaps. Spillane is the only New England LB to trust here.

The Patriots were mostly in their nickel/2-LB defense and were in their base/3-LB defense for just 6 snaps.

Week 7 Green Dot: Robert Spillane

New Orleans Saints

I have removed Pete Werner from the chart, as he’s lost his full-time role in the defense. Werner saw just 53% of the snaps and left the game midway through the 4th quarter. Danny Stutsman saw 16 snaps this week, but he probably won’t have any IDP value this season. Demario Davis was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot and enjoyed another productive day with 10 tackles. He’s the only New Orleans off-ball LB to roster at this point.

The Saints were in dime/single-LB for 10 snaps, and they were mostly in their nickel/2-LB defense.

Week 7 Green Dot: Demario Davis

New York Giants

Bobby Okereke was the lone three-down LB in Week 7. He was on for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Darius Muasau saw an increase in usage this week, as the Giants were in their nickel/2-LB defense more often this week. Muasau was on the field for 89% of the snaps, and nearly had a three-down role. He might be a bye week filler in the next few weeks if his usage continues and New York runs more nickel packages.

Week 7 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke

New York Jets

I haven’t heard any updates on Quincy Williams, so I’ve added Francisco Mauigoa to the chart, as he’s logging full-time snaps. Mauigoa was on the field for all but 4 snaps in Week 7. Jamien Sherwood continues his hot streak, as he now has double-digit tackles in five of his last six games, and he added a sack. The Jets were nickel/2-LB heavy, as their defense is supporting two off-ball LBs.

Week 7 Green Dot: Jamien Sherwood

Philadelphia Eagles

Nakobe Dean returned to a defensive role in Week 7. After seeing just special teams in Week 6, he was on the field for 45% of the snaps and recorded 6 tackles. Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell maintained their roles, as Baun remained the green dot and was on for 100% of the snaps. Campbell saw 60 snaps this week, with 45% of those snaps deployed on the edge. His tackle numbers took a dip, as he recorded just 3 solos. Dean looks to be eased in, but I’m not sure I pick him up on waivers.

Week 7 Green Dot: Zack Baun

Pittsburgh Steelers

The LB2 rotation reared its ugly head post bye-week in Pittsburgh. Patrick Queen was the lone full-time LB and was on for 100% of the snaps with the green dot. Looking at Payton Wilson’s snap breakdown, he didn’t see any short-yardage work and was mostly used on 3rd downs. Wilson saw just 46% of the nickel/2-LB snaps, while Cole Holcomb was on for 54% of those nickel snaps. As of now, this is a situation to avoid. If you’re a Wilson manager in a deep league, he’s worth holding. In shallow leagues, starting 1-2 linebackers, you can probably find a better option.

I know Queen has the dot, but his play this week stood out, and not for the better. There were instances where he got a bit too deep in his zone and allowed receptions, and had a few bad run fits. Now, I don’t see him losing the dot this season, but if these performances continue, Tomlin might have his hand forced.

Week 7 Green Dot: Patrick Queen

San Francisco 49ers

With Fred Warner out for the year, Tatum Bethune is the green dot for the 49ers. He got dinged up late in the 1st quarter and Craig Robinson had to come in for a few snaps. Bethune ended up starting the 2nd quarter and never left the game. Bethune now has consecutive games of 10+ tackles and is a waiver priority this week. Dee Winters was on the field for 100% of the snaps, but just had 3 solo tackles. Winters’ production over the last few weeks is a bit worrisome: 11 tackles over the last three weeks. He’s not droppable, but entering the “benching” conversation for better options.

The 49ers, even without Warner, remained in their nickel/2-LB defense.

Week 7 Green Dot: Tatum Bethune

Seattle Seahawks

Ernest Jones and Drake Thomas were the full-time linebackers for Seattle in Week 7. Jones was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot and it was nice to see him hit double-digit tackles this week (along with his INT). Drake Thomas continues to get the snaps in Seattle’s nickel/2-LB defense, as he saw 89% of the snaps this week. Seattle went dime/single-LB on just 8 snaps this week. Tyrice Knight didn’t see a defense snap, so if you’re still holding on in redraft, you can cut bait.

Week 7 Green Dot: Ernest Jones

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

No changes to Tampa’s defense this week. Lavonte David and SirVocea Dennis were the full-time LBs this week. Both got dinged, but didn’t miss major snaps. David wore the dot as usual in Week 7.

Week 7 Green Dot: Lavonte David

Tennessee Titans

Cedric Gray is HIM. Gray logged his fourth consecutive 10+ tackle game, as he reached 10 tackles (7 solos). The Titans remained a nickel/2-LB defense in Week 7, as Gray was on the field for all but 2 snaps. Cody Barton was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Barton’s production hasn’t followed the volume, and he’s borderline droppable in shallow leagues, as his tackle rate is below 10%.

Week 7 Green Dot: Cody Barton

Washington Commanders

There were no major changes to Washington’s defense in Week 7. They remained a nickel/2-LB defense with Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. After seeing a 31% snap rate on the edge, Luvu’s EDGE usage increased this week to 48%. Wagner and Luvu were the three-down LBs, with Wagner wearing the dot.

Week 7 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner

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