2025 Full-Time and Green Dot Linebackers: Week 9
What did Week 9 teach us about the state of the green dot LBs for 2025?
So, the big injury from this weekend is Ernest Jones. He suffered a knee injury near the end of the 2nd quarter, and from initial reports, he’s likely to miss time. Who’s the next man up? Also, an Atlanta three-down LB from the last few weeks lost his role in Week 9. We had four teams on bye this week, and four more next week.
Here were my observations of the LB position in Week 9.
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 9.
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
Updated after Monday Night Football.
Week 9 Green Dot: TBD
Atlanta Falcons
After a shaky performance for which Raheem Morris called him out in Week 8, JD Bertrand lost his three-down role and was used situationally. He ended up in a rotation with Ronnie Harrison and saw just 44% of the snaps. Ronnie Harrison played 60% of the snaps, but both guys’ usage makes them unreliable options on a weekly basis. Kaden Elliss was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot.
Week 9 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss
Baltimore Ravens
Since returning from injury, Roquan Smith has 24 tackles (16 solos). Once again, he had another solid outing in Week 9 with 9 solos (12 total tackles). Smith was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. The Ravens were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game, and went dime for just 11 snaps. Teddye Buchanan was on the field for 85% of the nickel snaps, as Trenton Simpson looked to get some snaps this week. Even with 70% of the snaps, Buchanan was productive with 8 tackles, so he’s still in the conversation as an LB4 in deeper leagues.
Week 9 Green Dot: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills
After being an emergency LB in Week 8, Terrel Bernard went back to his three-down role. Bernard saw all but 1 snap and wore the dot in Week 8. The Chiefs’ personnel had the Bills in dime/single-LB for a good portion of the game, as Matt Milano was on the field for just 33 snaps.
Week 9 Green Dot: Terrel Bernard
Carolina Panthers
Trevin Wallace was dealing with a concussion, but passed protocol and ended up active in Week 9. Wallace took back the dot and saw 100% of the snaps in Week 9. The Panthers were in single-LB/dime a bit more often this week, but Christian Rozeboom saw a near full-time role with 76% of the snaps, and a huge IDP game with 15 tackles. Wallace had 9 tackles of his own. Rozeboom is a tackle machine and has been as efficient this season as he was with the Rams in 2024.
Week 9 Green Dot: Trevin Wallace
Chicago Bears
There were no major changes in the Bears defense this week. They were in nickel/2-LB for most of the game, as TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds were both on the field for 100% of the snaps. Edwards continues to wear the dot on defense. Edmunds started slow, but finished with 9 tackles and an INT. Edwards seems to be a shaky LB3 with his inconsistent production.
Week 9 Green Dot: TJ Edwards
Cincinnati Bengals
Barrett Carter was the lone full-time LB in Week 9, as the Bengals looked to go more single-LB this week. Carter was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Demetrius Knight saw 78% of the snaps this week. Carter now has 10+ tackles in three of his last four games.
Week 9 Green Dot: Barrett Carter
Cleveland Browns
Bye week.
Week 9 Green Dot: Bye Week
Dallas Cowboys
Updated after Monday Night Football.
Week 9 Green Dot: TBD
Denver Broncos
Alex Singleton was the lone full-time LB in Week 9. Dre Greenlaw returned from his one-game suspension, but only played 37% of the snaps. Justin Strnad didn’t see many more, as he saw 31 snaps (46%). I have removed Greenlaw and Strnad from the chart for the time being, as it looks like Denver is going single-LB/dime heavy. Jahdae Barron saw more snaps this week, so he’s being used with the DB group, which puts Greenlaw and Strnad on the bench.
Week 9 Green Dot: Alex Singleton
Detroit Lions
The Lions went with three LBs for 100% of the snaps this week. Derrick Barnes continues to see more edge snaps, but played 48% of his snaps off-ball. Alex Anzalone was on for 100% of the snaps along with Jack Campbell. As usual, Campbell wore the dot.
Week 9 Green Dot: Jack Campbell
Green Bay Packers
There were no major changes to Green Bay’s defense. They continue to be nickel/2-LB heavy, as Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper were both on the field for 100% of the snaps. The Packers weren’t in their base/3-LB defense as much this week, as Isaiah McDuffie saw just 19 snaps. Cooper and Walker are weekly starters.
Week 9 Green Dot: Quay Walker
Houston Texans
It looks like there was a bit of a change in Houston, as Henry To’oTo’o might have re-taken the LB2 role in Houston’s nickel/2-LB defense. After seeing snaps in just their base, To’oTo’o saw a full-time role in Week 9, as he saw 85% of the snaps, while Speed was on for 31%. I’m not sure I can trust an LB2 going forward with this shift. If you’re in a deeper league and desperate for an LB, I might put in a claim on To’oTo’o. I wouldn’t use a top priority on him.
Week 9 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair
Indianapolis Colts
Well, it looked like we might get that ceiling game from Zaire Frankin, but it never materialized. He had 5 tackles in the first half, but recorded just one more stop on the day. The Colts were in their 2-LB defense for the majority of the game, as Germaine Pratt saw a full-time role. He was on the field for all but 4 snaps. Franklin was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot.
Week 9 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin
Jacksonville Jaguars
Devin Lloyd ended up being inactive for this game, so Ventrell Miller got the start and played in all but 6 snaps, as the Jaguars were in their nickel/2-LB defense for the majority of the game. Foyesade Oluokun was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot, finishing with 11 tackles. Keep an eye on Lloyd this week and his practice status. Miller finished with 7 tackles (2 solos).
Week 9 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were in their nickel/2-LB defense against Buffalo’s personnel, and even went with their base/3-LB, as Leo Chenal was on the field for 48% of the snaps. Drue Tranquill was on the field for all but 5 snaps, but it didn’t lead to a productive day. Nick Bolton, who was dealing with a knee injury from last week, ended up playing 100% of the snaps with the dot. Bolton finished with a team-high 14 tackles.
Week 9 Green Dot: Nick Bolton
Las Vegas Raiders
It looked like the Raiders were in dime/single-LB for most of the game, as Elandon Roberts saw just 60% of the snaps after seeing a full-time role for the last few weeks. With this usage, Roberts is a shaky LB3/4 with a volatile floor. Devin White was the lone three-down LB as he saw 100% of the snaps with the dot. White now has consecutive weeks with 16 tackles. You can either sell high or just ride the wave of production.
Week 9 Green Dot: Devin White
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers limited the Titans to just 47 offensive snaps. Daiyan Henley had a decent game despite playing 45 snaps, thanks to an INT. It looks like Denzel Perryman is the LB2 in their nickel/2-LB defense, as he saw 64% of the snaps. It appears Troy Dye is out of the LB2 rotation and defense altogether, as he saw just 4 snaps. Henley continues to be the three-down LB with the dot. He’s still tough to trust on a weekly basis despite his role.
Week 9 Green Dot: Daiyan Henley
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams defense held the Saints to 41 offensive snaps in Week 9, so there weren’t a whole lot of opportunities for plays. Nate Landman did have a forced fumble to go along with his 5 assists. Landman was on the field for all but 3 snaps with the dot. Omar Speights saw 25 snaps as the Rams went dime/single-LB.
Week 9 Green Dot: Nate Landman
Miami Dolphins
There was nothing major with the Dolphins this week. The Dolphins were in their nickel/2-LB defense for all but one snap, as they featured three off-ball LBs for just one snap. Tyrel Dodson and Jordyn Brooks were both on the field for all but three snaps this week, with Dodson manning the dot. The trade deadline is looming, but I haven’t heard any of their LBs as subjects of trade rumors.
Week 9 Green Dot: Tyrel Dodson
Minnesota Vikings
Blake Cashman has been solid in his return and now has consecutive weeks with 10+ tackles (25 total in the last two weeks). Cashman was on the field for 100% of the snaps with the dot. If it wasn’t clear, it should be now that Eric Wilson is in clear control of the LB2 spot in Minnesota’s nickel/2-LB defense. Wilson saw 88% of the snaps and his use in the pass rush has been huge. Wilson saw 20 pass rush snaps and generated 5 total pressures, converting 2 to sacks. Wilson is a weekly LB2/3. Ivan Pace saw just 13 snaps and is droppable in all redraft formats.
Week 9 Green Dot: Blake Cashman
New England Patriots
Robert Spillane was the lone full-time LB for the Patriots in Week 9. Spillane saw 100% of the snaps with the dot, but turned in a “meh” performance with 5 tackles. Christian Elliss suffered a hip injury near the end of the 2nd quarter and never returned. Jack Gibbens looked to replace Elliss, but still saw just 25 snaps. Outside of Spillane, it’s tough to trust any of the off-ball LBs in Vrabel’s defense.
Week 9 Green Dot: Robert Spillane
New Orleans Saints
Demario Davis was the lone full-time off-ball for the Saints in Week 9. Davis saw 100% of the snaps with the dot. He’s now at 85 tackles and is on pace for 161. The rotation at LB2 in their nickel/2-LB defense continued between Pete Werner and Danny Stutsman. Neither are IDP options right now. Werner saw just 48% of the snaps in Week 9, as the Saints are going more dime/single-LB under Brandon Staley.
Week 9 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
Darius Muasau suffered an ankle injury that knocked him out after just 14 snaps. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles came on in relief and would play 46 snaps. I don’t think that’s insignificant, as he’d end up playing 70% of the snaps, and the majority of the snaps after Muasau left the game. Flannigan-Fowles could be a target in deeper leagues if Muasau misses any time, as he produced a 15.2% tackle rate.
Week 9 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets
Bye week.
Week 9 Green Dot: Bye Week
Philadelphia Eagles
Bye week.
Week 9 Green Dot: Bye Week
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game, which put Payton Wilson in a full-time role. Wilson saw 85% of the snaps, led the team in tackles (13), and added an INT. Cole Holcomb ended up inactive this week, and Malik Harrison saw snaps this week. Patrick Queen was on for 100% of the snaps with the dot. Wilson continues to be productive when on the field and is an LB3/4 in most formats.
Week 9 Green Dot: Patrick Queen
San Francisco 49ers
There were no major changes to the 49ers’ off-ball LB deployment. They remain a nickel/2-LB heavy defense. Tatum Bethune and Dee Winters each saw 100% of the snaps with Bethune wearing the dot. I think I trust Bethune more for his production over Winters. Over the last 4 weeks, Bethune has had 50 tackles.
Week 9 Green Dot: Tatum Bethune
Seattle Seahawks
Right now, Ernest Jones’ knee injury isn’t being called season-ending, but he could miss some time. Drake Thomas took over the dot, and Tyrice Knight saw 37 snaps and played the majority of the second half with Jones out. The Seahawks were in their nickel/2-LB defense for most of the game. Thomas looks to be the three-down target, as he looks to have the dot while Jones is out. Nick Emmanwori was also used as an LB, as he saw 16 box snaps. Knight will have IDP value as the LB2 of the defense. Keep in mind, the trade deadline looms.
Week 9 Green Dot: Ernest Jones. Drake Thomas took over when Jones left.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bye week.
Week 9 Green Dot: Bye Week
Tennessee Titans
The Titans were mostly nickel/2-LB in Week 9. Cody Barton’s pick-6 saved what would have been another lackluster IDP day. Cedric Gray had yet another standout IDP game. He’d finished with 16 tackles (11 solos) and added a sack. Gray was on the field for all but 5 snaps, while Barton played 100% of the snaps with the dot. Gray is the IDP LB1 here.
Week 9 Green Dot: Cody Barton
Washington Commanders
After seeing a full-time role last week, Jordan Magee saw just 51% of the snaps and played most of his snaps off-ball. Frankie Luvu was on the field for 100% of the snaps and 57% of his snaps came on the edge. Bobby Wagner also saw 100% of the snaps with the dot.
Week 9 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner
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