IDP Green Dot Update: Week 3

In IDP leagues, no position is more important than linebacker—the reality is that in most leagues if you don't have a strong group of linebackers, you're done. Roasted. All over but the crying. Linebackers are usually the highest-scoring and most consistent players in fantasy. By a wide margin.

The reason for that is tackles. Linebackers who rack up big-time tackle numbers have both a high fantasy ceiling and a high floor. And while talent is, of course, a factor in which linebackers pile up gaudy numbers of stops, there's another major consideration—opportunity.

The key to opportunity for most linebackers is simply being on the field. Snaps. It's hard to tackle a guy from the sideline—unless you are Mike Tomlin.

That joke stays in this column for eternity. Forever.

The problem is that in this day of nickel sets as the base defense, the age of three off-ball linebackers on the field most of the time is long since over. As a matter of fact, with many NFL teams playing either more dime or three-safety looks, there are quite a few situations in which just one off-ball linebacker is on the field for a team.

Often, that lone linebacker is wearing a sticker on his helmet—the green dot that signifies that the player is wearing the helmet communicator on defense and making the defensive play calls. That player very rarely leaves the field, and while teams sometimes use a safety in that capacity, the overwhelming majority of NFL teams give that assignment to a linebacker.

With the number of every-down linebackers decreasing by the year, knowing who those green dot linebackers are is valuable information for IDP managers. In order to provide those managers with that information, once again in 2024 at Footballguys, we'll be maintaining an updated list of both who is wearing the green dot for all 32 NFL teams and who the other three-down linebackers are.

There will also be notes to keep fantasy managers apprised as to why any changes to the list happened--whether due to injury or performance, the dot can (and will) change hands.

Two weeks into the season, linebacker situations across the NFL continue to be in flux. We have had at least two major injuries that have stirred up the situations in Buffalo and New England. Several other teams are employing rotations that seemingly change by the week. For every situation that's favorable for IDP managers, there are two that are equal parts confusing and maddening.

Still, all we can do is stay on top of things as best we can, and with that in mind here's a look around the NFL at the green-dot and three-down linebackers—and some notes on the more important happenings of Week 2.

WEEK 3 "GREEN DOT" AND THREE-DOWN LINEBACKERS

Notes

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons had been employing a rotation at the LB2 spot opposite Kaden Elliss between Nate Landman and Troy Andersen. However, Landman has landed on injured reserve with quad and calf injuries, which opened the door for Andersen to move into an every-down role. The youngster played 94 percent of the offensive snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles, finishing with nine total tackles. The third-year pro should be locked into a three-down role through at least Week 6.

Baltimore Ravens

After playing 70 percent of the snaps in Baltimore's Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, second-year pro Trenton Simpson was on the field for all 63 snaps in last week's surprising loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Simpson's fantasy production in the game wasn't especially impressive—five total tackles and three solos. But if Simpson continues to operate in an every-down role, that production should increase.

Dallas Cowboys

After logging 11 total tackles and a sack in the Cowboys' season-opening win over the Cleveland Browns, DeMarvion Overshown was on the field for less than 20 snaps against the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that the change was a result of gameplan, but after a week of criticism from the media and fans, team owner Jerry Jones said to expect to see more of Overshown in the future. When the boss man speaks, McCarthy usually listens.

Denver Broncos

The good news in the Mile High City is that after logging just 24 snaps in his Denver debut, Cody Barton's usage increased to just over 70 percent in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The bad news is that Barton's fantasy production was still rather underwhelming—seven total tackles and four solos. We're going to need to see Barton maintain that playing time for at least another week before he'll be worth consideration, even in deeper IDP leagues.

Detroit Lions

Fantasy managers still hoping for Jack Campbell season may be headed for disappointment--again. Alex Anzalone left Detroit's Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a concussion, but he was practicing in a limited fashion Thursday and Friday and appears to be on track to clear the NFL's concussion protocol ahead of Detroit's trip to Arizona Sunday. If Anzalone does sit, however, Campbell would wear the helmet communicator and play in a full-time role.

Jacksonville Jaguars

It may officially be time to start worrying about the linebacker rotation in Jacksonville under new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. Foyesade Oluokun played just 82 percent of the defensive snaps against Cleveland, while Devin Lloyd's snap share fell below 70 percent. Oluokun is still producing decent numbers (eight tackles and a sack in Week 2), but he wasn't drafted to be decent. He was drafted to be a top-five fantasy linebacker, but that's going to be hard to do if he's off the field 20 percent of the time.

Los Angeles Chargers

The muddied linebacker situation in Los Angeles may have cleared somewhat—if only temporarily. Rookie Junior Colson left last week's victory over the Carolina Panthers with a hamstring injury, and he has already been ruled out for Week 3. A week ago, youngster Daiyan Henly donned the green dot with Colson out and played 85 percent of the defensive snaps, so he should be on the IDP radar ahead of this week's tilt with the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

Minnesota Vikings

It already hasn't been a great start to 2024 for Ivan Pace Jr.--the youngster went from proclaiming that he would be Minnesota's defensive signal-caller this year to failing to hit a 70 percent snap share in either game this season. However, Pace's nine stops last week against the 49ers at least offered hope that he could have value in deeper leagues. But Pace managers can't have nice things this year--the second-year pro will miss Week 3 with an ankle injury, leaving No. 2 LB duties against the Texans to Brian Asamoah II.

New England Patriots

The Patriots were hit hard by an injury in Week 2, with defensive signal-caller Ja'Whaun Bentley going down with a season-ending pectoral tear. In Thursday night's Week 3 matchup with the New York Jets, safety Kyle Dugger donned the green dot, while Jahlani Tavai (100 percent) and Raekwon McMillan (73 percent) served as the top two linebackers. Tavai's role should be relatively stable moving forward, but the return of Sione Takitaki in a few weeks could eat into McMillan's playing time.

New York Giants

After missing the season opener while recovering from a groin injury, Micah McFadden made his 2024 debut last week against the Washington Commanders, pacing the team with 13 total tackles in 57 snaps (79 percent). The snap share isn't ideal, but it's in line with McFadden's playing time a year ago. The third-year veteran has something of a track record of good per-snap IDP numbers, so he's worth a look if available on waiver wires.

New York Jets

The Jets were without their top linebacker in Thursday night's Week 3 victory over the New England Patriots—C.J. Mosley was scratched with a toe injury after trying it out before the contest. In his stead, Jamien Sherwood was New York's green-dot linebacker, playing all but one defensive snap and logging five tackles. It was likely a one-week deal, however—Mosley nearly played and now has 10 days to get ready for Week 4.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Snap share hasn't been an issue for Patrick Queen over his first two games with the Steelers—he has played all 117 defensive snaps for the Steelers this season. However, Queen's tackle production has left a lot to be desired—just six total stops over the first two games of the season. It's still too early to consider dropping a full-time linebacker, but it's also hard to advise starting Queen until his numbers pick up.

Seattle Seahawks

Some fantasy managers are hoping to get to see more of rookie Tyrice Knight in Week 3 after he filled in for an injured Jerome Baker last week against the New England Patriots. It appears that Knight will draw his first professional start Sunday against the Dolphins—Baker was downgraded to doubtful Friday and is unlikely to play. Knight's IDP value may have an expiration date, but for now, he's absolutely rosterable.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After an offseason in which he received more than a little IDP hype, it's time to stick a fork in K.J. Britt. After seeing a 66 percent snap share in Week 1, Britt's usage dropped to 48 percent in Week 2 against the Lions, and Britt was out-snapped by second-year pro SirVocea Dennis. Dennis is playing in subpackages, and his per-snap productivity has been excellent, but he hasn't played more than 52 percent of the snaps in either game this season.

Tennessee Titans

It didn't take long for newcomer Ernest Jones IV to work his way into a full-time role with the Titans—in his second game with Tennessee after being traded just before the season began, Jones played all 57 defensive snaps last week against the New York Jets, leading the team with nine total tackles. In Week 2 at least, Kenneth Murray Jr.. continued to wear the helmet communicator, but it wouldn't be surprising if Jones assumes play-calling duties at some point in the near future.

Gary Davenport (“The Godfather of IDP”) is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on Twitter (Can't make him call it X) at @IDPSharks.