IDP Fantasy Football Usage Report: The State Of The Linebacker Position Through The First Four Weeks

We’re heading into Week 5, and we’re just over the quarter point of the year. 43 linebackers look to have a three-down/full-time role, which I consider at least 80% of the defensive snaps. There are a handful of linebackers that IDP fantasy football managers need to be aware of and be ready to hit the wire for potential replacements.

The most common reason a linebacker lands in the danger group is the same everywhere: his team added or expanded a dime package, and he is not in it. Tranquill, Barton, and Thomas all fit that pattern. Linebackers who are poor in coverage are also at risk.

LB Usage Trends To Track In IDP Fantasy Football

Isaiah McDuffie's snap share in Week 5. It shows whether Green Bay gives him Edgerrin Cooper's role or splits it with Ty’Ron Hopper.
Drue Tranquill's third downs after the bye (Weeks 6-7). He played none of Kansas City's 25 dime snaps in Week 4. The Chargers and Seahawks both use heavy personnel, so his total snaps could rebound while the third-down role stays gone.
Cody Barton against the Texans (Week 5) and Browns (Week 7). Two 11-personnel opponents test whether his third-down role is gone.
Sonny Styles' nickel snaps. The 49ers in Week 6 use heavy personnel on 60% of snaps, so a share near 75% in that game might confirm a decline
Kendal Daniels against the Ravens, Bears, and 49ers. Three heavy-personnel opponents are his last chance to get back above 50%.
Demetrius Knight and Payton Wilson on third downs. Both have lost passing-down work for two or more weeks.
Drake Thomas at the Broncos (Week 6). Seattle's dime usage has risen every week.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr's third-down snaps. Any growth comes out of Dorian Williams' role.
Returns from injury. Zack Baun, Azeez Al-Shaair, Kaden Elliss, and DeMarvion Overshown each change a teammate's value the week they come back.

Best LB Matchups In IDP Fantasy Football Over Next Quarter

Three-week stretch: Rams (Bills, Cardinals, at Raiders), Bills (at Rams, at Raiders, then a bye), Patriots (Raiders in Week 5, at Bears in Week 7).
Week 5: Packers against the Bears, Patriots against the Raiders, Steelers against the Colts.
Week 6: Bears at the Falcons, Falcons against the Bears, Titans at the Colts, Raiders against the Bills.
Week 7: Patriots at the Bears, Rams at the Raiders, 49ers at the Falcons, Vikings against the Colts, Broncos at the Cardinals, Buccaneers at the Panthers.

Worst LB Matchups In IDP Fantasy Football Coming Up

Week 5: Bears at the Packers, Buccaneers at the Cowboys, Jaguars against the Eagles.
Week 6: Cowboys at the Packers, Packers against the Cowboys, Panthers at the Eagles, Broncos against the Seahawks.
Week 7: Lions against the Packers, Cowboys at the Eagles, Eagles against the Cowboys, Giants at the Texans, Jets against the Dolphins, Dolphins at the Jets.

Personnel That Changes LB Snap Counts To Monitor

Heavy-personnel offenses (12, 13, or 21 personnel) force base defense, which helps base-down linebackers: Raiders (60% of snaps), 49ers (60%), Bears (57%), Ravens (54%), Seahawks (52%).
11-personnel offenses keep defenses in nickel and dime, which helps sub-package linebackers and hurts base-only ones: Eagles (77%), Saints (74%), Buccaneers (73%), Titans (72%), Cowboys (72%).
Recent form that differs from the season number: linebacker tackles allowed are rising for the Bears (17, 23, 23, 25) and Panthers (10, 13, 17, 24) and falling for the Texans (28, 17, 13, 8) and Chiefs (24, 33, 21, 6).

IDP Fantasy Football Linebacker Usage Report

AFC East

Buffalo Bills: Bernard plays everything; Williams out-tackles him

Bernard has the green dot and 94% of the third downs on a defense facing 68.0 plays per game (2nd-most).
Williams plays 99% of base snaps and under half the sub snaps, yet has more tackles than Bernard on 78 fewer snaps.
Elarms-Orr saw the most snaps of his early career with 15 snaps and was on the field for half of the third downs. Williams played 42% of them that week. If that sub-package role sticks, it comes out of Williams' snaps.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Two very different game plans. The Rams in Week 5 have been in 11 personnel on 74% of their snaps over the last two weeks while running 79.5 plays per game, so it is a sub-package game: the real test of Elarms-Orr's role and a likely dip for Williams. The Raiders (Week 6) use heavy personnel on 60% of snaps (1st) and are tied for the most tackles allowed to linebackers (22.0 per game), which sets up a rebound for Williams. Bernard is a strong start in both. Buffalo is on bye in Week 7.

Miami Dolphins: two full-time linebackers and a shrinking third

Rodriguez is tied for the most tackles in this data set (46) and had 18 in Week 4. He has allowed 208 yards in coverage, but nothing in his usage is at risk. He’s the green dot.
Brooks has been at 100% in back-to-back weeks.
Gay is a base-only player who lines up on the edge on 59% of his snaps. He has not played a sub-package snap, and Miami's base usage has dropped from 46 snaps in Week 1 to 25 in Week 4.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): No usage change is expected for Rodriguez or Brooks. Week 5 is at home against the Bengals, who throw on 69% of plays but use heavy personnel on 48% of snaps (7th), so Gay could see more base work than the pass rate suggests. Cincinnati allows 16.2 tackles per game to linebackers (24th), a below-average matchup. Miami is on bye in Week 6. Week 7 at the Jets is a low-volume game: New York has averaged 46.5 plays over the last two weeks and allowed 10 linebacker tackles in Week 4.

New England Patriots: two every-down linebackers on a low-volume defense

Spillane and Elliss have not dipped below 92% in any week, and no third linebacker has reached the snap cutoff.
The cap is volume: New England's defense faces 57.2 plays per game (28th).
Elliss was listed as questionable (chest) in Week 4 and played every snap.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Two of the three matchups are the best on the board. Week 5 at home against the Raiders: Las Vegas runs 67.0 plays per game (4th), has allowed at least 21 linebacker tackles in every game, and uses heavy personnel on 60% of snaps (1st). Week 6 against the Jets is a step down: New York has averaged 46.5 plays over the last two weeks and allowed 10 linebacker tackles in Week 4. Week 7 at the Bears on Thursday is the other top spot: Chicago runs the most plays in the league (74.5 per game), and its linebacker tackles allowed have gone 17, 23, 23, 25.

New York Jets: Davis has not missed a snap

Davis has played all 252 defensive snaps.
Sherwood is right behind him and had 15 tackles in Week 4, though 21 of his 33 tackles are assists.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): No usage change is expected. Week 5 is at home against the Browns, who send 35% of their tackles allowed to off-ball linebackers (3rd-highest share) and have allowed 19.0 per game (7th). Week 6 is at the Patriots (16.5 per game, 22nd). Week 7 at home against the Dolphins is the weakest of the three. Miami runs the fewest plays in the league (52.5 per game) and allows 16.2 tackles per game to linebackers (24th). Davis and Sherwood are role-based starts in all three.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: Smith is full-time, Simpson is efficient in a part-time role

Smith has played all 246 snaps. Two-thirds of his tackles are assists (23 of 34).
Simpson is locked between 57% and 63% because Baltimore plays 17 to 23 dime snaps a game and he leaves the field for them. He still has 26 tackles and 5 TFLs.
Buchanan took 10 snaps in Week 4, which is not yet a threat to Simpson. However, he was the full-time LB last year until his knee injury. He’s going to be someone to monitor to see if he eats into any of Simpson’s snaps.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Week 5 at the Falcons is Simpson's best matchup of the season. Atlanta has run on 62% of its plays over the last two weeks and uses heavy personnel on 46% of snaps (8th). Week 6 at the Browns is weaker for him than the season numbers suggest: Cleveland is in 11 personnel on 64% of snaps (8th) and has allowed 16.0 linebacker tackles per game over the last two weeks (23rd). Week 7 at home against the Bengals is the worst of the three for him. Cincinnati throws on 69% of plays, which invites the dime package he does not play in, and allows 16.2 tackles per game to linebackers (24th). Smith is a top option in all three.

Cincinnati Bengals: Knight's third-down role is slipping

Carter has played all 243 snaps with the green dot.
Knight leads the team in tackles, but his third-down share has gone 80%, 82%, 67%, 45%, and his Week 4 snap share (72%) was a season low. He has been targeted 22 times in coverage, the most on the team.
Burks appeared for 11 snaps in Week 4. It is a small number, but it lines up with Knight's dip.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): The number to track is Knight's third-down share. Another week under 50%, and he’s reaching borderline full-time player status. Week 5 is at the Dolphins, who run the fewest plays in the league (52.5 per game) and allow 16.2 tackles per game to linebackers (24th), so it is a poor matchup for both. Cincinnati is on bye in Week 6. Week 7 at the Ravens is a base-defense game: Baltimore uses heavy personnel on 54% of snaps (4th) and runs on 48% of plays (4th). Knight plays 92% of the base snaps, so his total could rebound there without the third-down role coming back.

Cleveland Browns: both linebackers stay on the field

Schwesinger has played all 256 snaps. His tackle total leans on assists (25 of 35). I don’t like the solo-to-assist ratio, and the man coverage is still a concern. Nothing, however, is keeping me away from starting him on a weekly basis.
Williams has full-time snaps but a 9.4% tackle rate. His 9 pressures are where the extra value is.
Cleveland has played 1 base snap in the last three games combined, so there is no third-linebacker role. Mascarenas-Arnold has not reached the cutoff since Week 1.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Week 5 at the Jets is a low-volume game: New York has averaged 46.5 plays over the last two weeks and allowed 10 linebacker tackles in Week 4. Week 6 at home against the Ravens is more interesting. Baltimore uses heavy personnel on 54% of snaps (4th), and Cleveland has played 1 base snap in three games. If the Ravens force base defense, a third linebacker could reappear, but Schwesinger and Williams do not come off the field. Week 7 at the Titans is low on volume (53.8 plays per game, 31st) but friendly to linebackers: Tennessee sends 33% of its tackles allowed to them (6th-highest share) and has allowed 20.0 per game over the last two weeks (7th).

Pittsburgh Steelers: Queen is safe, Wilson has lost passing downs

Queen has played all 228 snaps.
Wilson started at 95% and has been between 70% and 81% since. His third-down share went 92%, 67%, 42%, 50%, and he has played 29% of red-zone snaps. He also has 7 missed tackles and has allowed 1.62 yards per coverage snap.
Wilson still out-produces Queen per snap, so the floor is fine. The ceiling depends on getting third downs back. It was good to see his snap rate in the 80s in Week 4.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Week 5 at home against the Colts sets up well for Wilson. Indianapolis allows 21.5 tackles per game to linebackers (3rd) and uses heavy personnel on 44% of snaps (10th), and Wilson plays 92% of Pittsburgh's base snaps. Weeks 6 and 7 are the opposite. The Buccaneers are in 11 personnel on 73% of snaps (3rd) and the Saints on 74% (2nd), which puts Pittsburgh in sub packages for two straight games and brings his third-down problem back. The Saints game is a volume spot for Queen: New Orleans runs 72.8 plays per game (2nd).

AFC South

Houston Texans: Hansen is full-time (for now), Al-Shaair's groin is the question

Al-Shaair missed Week 4 with a groin injury after playing 76% in Week 3. His 18.8% tackle rate is one of the best among full-time linebackers, so he is an every-down start whenever he is active.
Hansen took over the second spot in Week 2 and has been at 88% or higher since, with 12 tackles in Week 4.
Murray played 81% in Al-Shaair's place and produced 4 tackles on 59 snaps. I’m not paying attention to him, even in deeper leagues.
The Texans added Chad Muma. It might be nothing. It might be something. It’s definitely not nothing.
Henry To’oTo’o is still a week or two away.
Wade Woodaz is getting passed on for Murray. He’s only a dynasty pickup at this point.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Al-Shaair's status drives everything. If he returns, Murray goes back to the bench, and Hansen stays full-time. Week 5 at the Titans is a low-volume nickel game: Tennessee runs 53.8 plays per game (31st) and is in 11 personnel on 72% of snaps (4th). Week 6 against the Jaguars in London brings more run (49% designed run rate, 3rd) but also fewer plays (56.2 per game, 30th). Week 7 at home against the Giants is the best tackle matchup of the three: New York runs on 48% of plays (5th) and has allowed 20.5 linebacker tackles per game over the last two weeks (4th). Houston is on bye in Week 8.

Indianapolis Colts: a one-linebacker defense

Davis-Gaither is the only Colts linebacker with a real role: 94% or more every week, with the green dot.
Boettcher has 11 tackles on 39 snaps, a rate that would matter if the snaps ever came. He is a base-down player on a team whose base usage has fallen from 31 snaps in Week 1 to 12 in Week 4.
Ajiake played 15 sub-package snaps in Week 4, 14 of them in coverage.
In the data, Jaylon Carlies is a DB. That’s why he’s not listed here. He’s averaging around 62% of the snaps in the rotation, but saw a sharp dip in Week 4 to 49%; but had his second-highest tackle output (5).
The Colts are treating CJ Allen as a backup green dot. That’s why he’s not getting snaps.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): The first two opponents live in 11 personnel: the Steelers on 64% of snaps (10th) and the Titans on 72% (4th). That keeps the Colts in nickel and leaves nothing for Boettcher. Davis-Gaither is the only start, and Week 6 against Tennessee is the better spot, since the Titans have allowed 20.0 linebacker tackles per game over the last two weeks (7th). Week 7 at the Vikings is a poor matchup: Minnesota allows 15.0 tackles per game to linebackers (28th) and sends only 21% of its tackles allowed to them (30th).

Jacksonville Jaguars: Oluokun is the green dot, Miller out-tackles him

Oluokun opened at 65%, but was pulled early in the 4th in Week 1. He’s the green dot. His tackle rate (11.5%) is modest for his role.
Miller sits between 67% and 76% every week and has more tackles than Oluokun on 39 fewer snaps. He plays 37% of third downs, which caps him.
Combs played 14 snaps in Week 4, all in coverage.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Both games before the bye are in London, and both opponents are 11-personnel teams: the Eagles on 77% of snaps (1st) and the Texans on 69% (6th). That trims Miller's base snaps in each game while Oluokun stays near 100%. The tackle matchups are poor too. Philadelphia allows 14.5 per game to linebackers (30th), and Houston's total has fallen every week (28, 17, 13, 8). Jacksonville is on bye in Week 7.

Tennessee Titans: Hill never leaves the field, Barton lost third downs

Hill has played all 254 snaps and is the only linebacker on the field in Tennessee's dime package. Most of his tackles are assists (26 of 41).
Barton's third-down share went 100%, 72%, 8%, 30%. His snap share rebounded to 82% in Week 4, but that came from early downs. His tackle rate (9.7%) is well below Hill's and Gray's. He proved to be a big coverage liability in Week 4.
Gray has held the third-linebacker job since Week 2: 96% of base snaps, 13% of sub snaps, and a 16.9% tackle rate.
I continue to be baffled at Gray’s usage. Barton is a coverage liability, and teams will continue to isolate him in one-on-one situations. I’m hoping a shift in usage happens soon, but I’m not holding my breath.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Week 5 at home against the Texans is the test of Barton's passing-down role: Houston is in 11 personnel on 69% of snaps (6th) and passes on 67% of plays. It is also a light week for Gray, and Houston's linebacker tackles allowed have fallen every week (28, 17, 13, 8). Week 6 at the Colts is the opposite; 21.5 tackles allowed per game (3rd) and heavy personnel on 44% of snaps (10th), the best week for all three. Week 7 at home against the Browns is another nickel game and a second test for Barton, since Cleveland is in 11 personnel on 64% of snaps (8th). It suits Hill, as the Browns send 35% of their tackles allowed to off-ball linebackers (3rd-highest share). Tennessee is on bye in Week 9.

AFC West

Denver Broncos: Singleton is an elite volume play

Singleton has missed one snap all season and is tied for the most tackles in this data set (46). Denver's defense faces 67.2 plays per game (3rd most). The blemishes are 8 missed tackles and 226 yards allowed in coverage. He’s the green dot.
Strnad plays every base snap and about two-thirds of the sub snaps. His snap share swings with the game plan (67% to 93%), and his 8.4% tackle rate is low for that much playing time.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): No usage change is expected for Singleton. The first two opponents lean on heavy personnel, the Chargers on 43% of snaps (11th) and the Seahawks on 52% (5th), which means more base defense and more snaps for Strnad. Those tackle matchups are average to poor: Los Angeles allows 17.5 per game to linebackers (15th) and Seattle 14.8 (29th). Week 6 is on Thursday. Week 7 at the Cardinals is the best of the three for Singleton. Arizona has averaged 72.5 plays and 23.5 linebacker tackles allowed over the last two weeks (2nd), though its 11-personnel offense (62% of snaps) trims Strnad. Denver is on bye in Week 10.

Kansas City Chiefs: Tranquill is losing snaps to the dime package

Bolton has played all 255 snaps.
Tranquill's snap share has dropped three weeks in a row (98%, 97%, 85%, 67%), and his third-down share went 92%, 92%, 62%, 36%. Kansas City's dime usage rose from 3 snaps in Week 2 to 25 in Week 4, and he played none of those 25.
Cochrane is a base-only third linebacker.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Kansas City is on bye in Week 5. Week 6 is at home against the Chargers, who use heavy personnel on 43% of snaps (11th), and Week 7 is at the Seahawks, who use it on 52% (5th). Tranquill plays every base snap, so his overall snap share could rebound in both games without his role changing. Judge him by his third-down share, not the total. Seattle is also a poor tackle matchup (14.8 per game to linebackers, 29th), which matters more for Tranquill than for Bolton.

Las Vegas Raiders: two every-down linebackers

Dean is the solo-tackle producer (25 of 32), with 1.5 sacks. He also has 6 missed tackles.
Walker is a hybrid: 52% of his snaps off the ball, 33% on the edge, 14% in the slot. That keeps him on the field but tilts his tackles toward assists.
Eichenberg only plays when Las Vegas goes to base. Deeper, deeper dart throw in deeper leagues as a handcuff

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-6): No usage change is expected. Week 5 is at the Patriots (16.5 tackles allowed to linebackers, 22nd). Week 6 at home against the Bills is the better spot: Buffalo has allowed at least 17 linebacker tackles in every game (19.0 per game, 7th) and uses heavy personnel on 49% of snaps (6th). That could bring Eichenberg on for base snaps, but it does not take Dean or Walker off.

Los Angeles Chargers: Henley leads, Phillips getting some snaps

Henley has the green dot, 99% of sub snaps, and 83% to 90% of the snaps every week. The snaps he has missed came in goal-line packages, and in one game where he was pulled because of the score, so they are not a role concern.
Phillips jumped to 86% in Week 4 by playing 32 of 34 nickel snaps, up from 19 of 35 the week before. It is one week; he has not played a dime snap all season, and he had a third of the third downs.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): The trend to track is whether Phillips holds the nickel snaps he took in Week 4. Week 5 at home against the Broncos (11 personnel on 60% of snaps; 16.0 tackles allowed to linebackers, 26th) is a nickel game and a below-average matchup. Week 6 at the Chiefs is a heavier-personnel game: Kansas City has used heavy personnel on 57% of snaps over the last two weeks (4th). That adds base snaps for Phillips. Henley remains the every-down starter with the green dot. The Chiefs' linebacker tackles allowed have swung from 33 in Week 2 to 6 in Week 4. The Chargers are on bye in Week 7.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys: a three-man rotation with no full-time player

Winters leads the group in snaps and reached a season-high 81% in Week 4. He is the sub-package linebacker (78% of sub snaps) without wearing the dot.
Barham is the base-down linebacker (77%) and shares the green dot with Shemar James.
Overshown has been out since a Week 1 hamstring strain and was called a long shot for Thursday. When he returns, James' snaps are the first to go, and the dot question reopens. (RotoWire)

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Overshown's return is the trend to track. Until then, Winters is the best bet to stay above 75%. Week 5 at home against the Buccaneers on Thursday is a sub-package game that suits him: Tampa Bay is in 11 personnel on 73% of snaps (3rd). The next two are the worst matchups on the schedule. Green Bay in Week 6 allows the fewest tackles to linebackers (12.0 per game), and only 17% of the tackles it allows go to off-ball linebackers, the lowest share in the league. Philadelphia on Monday in Week 7 allows 14.5 per game (30th) and has averaged 52.5 plays over the last two weeks, though its 11-personnel offense (77% of snaps, 1st) keeps Winters on the field.

New York Giants: the cleanest duo in the league

Edmunds and Reese have missed 2 snaps between them. Neither has left the field on a third down or in the two-minute drill.
Reese has 25 solo tackles, 5 pressures, and 4 pass breakups while lining up on the edge on 19% of his snaps.
The limit is volume: the Giants' defense faces 58.0 plays per game (27th).

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): No usage change is expected, and two high-volume opponents offset the Giants' own low play counts. Week 5 is at the Commanders, who run 65.0 plays per game (8th) and have allowed at least 17 linebacker tackles in every game. Week 6 is at home against the Saints (72.8 plays per game, 2nd). Week 7 at the Texans is the weak one: Houston has averaged 51.5 plays over the last two weeks, and its linebacker tackles allowed have fallen every week (28, 17, 13, 8). The Giants are on bye in Week 8.

Philadelphia Eagles: Campbell is full-time, Trotter filled in for Baun

Baun missed Week 4 in the concussion protocol. The Eagles hope he clears it for London, so check his status before lineups lock.
Trotter played all 77 snaps in his place and made 15 tackles. He is a must-start any week Baun sits and a bench player when Baun returns.
Campbell has 24 solo tackles on a defense facing 66.0 plays per game (5th most).

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Baun's clearance decides Trotter's value. Week 5 is against the Jaguars in London, who run a lot (49% designed run rate, 3rd) but not often (56.2 plays per game, 30th). Week 6 at home against the Panthers is better than the season number suggests: Carolina runs 67.0 plays per game (4th), and its linebacker tackles allowed have climbed every week (10, 13, 17, 24). Week 7 at home against the Cowboys on Monday brings volume (72.0 plays per game over the last two weeks) but a poor tackle matchup: Dallas allows 13.5 per game to linebackers (31st). The Eagles are on bye in Week 10.

Washington Commanders: Luvu is back next to Styles

Luvu missed Weeks 2 and 3 with a groin injury and returned at 96%, including all 21 nickel snaps. (Heavy)
Styles wears the green dot but dropped to 74% when Luvu came back. He played 10 of 21 nickel snaps and none of the 10 two-minute snaps. His 8.9% tackle rate was already a concern at full-time usage. Washington is still in base/nickel, so I think his snaps are safe. Definitely something to monitor.
Medrano kept a passing-down role in Week 4: all 10 two-minute snaps and 9 of 21 nickel snaps. That is the role Styles lost.
Chenal is out for the season after neck surgery.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): The trend to track is Styles' snap share with Luvu healthy. The Giants in Week 5 run on 48% of plays (5th) but rank 26th in heavy personnel (28% of snaps), so that game may not force much base defense. The 49ers on Monday in Week 6 are the real test: they use heavy personnel on 60% of snaps (2nd). Styles plays 94% of Washington's base snaps, so if he is not back near 90% in that game, the downgrade is real. Washington is on bye in Week 7.

NFC North

Chicago Bears: full-time snaps, but not many of them

The role is perfect, and the volume is the worst in the league. Chicago's defense faces 48.0 plays per game (32nd) because its offense runs the most plays (74.5).
Edwards has 12 tackles in four games on 100% of the snaps, with 6 missed tackles. The usage says start him; the production says he is a low-end option until the tackle rate recovers.
Bush has been the better producer, with 19 tackles and 8 pressures.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): No usage change is expected, so this comes down to matchups. Week 5 at the Packers is one to avoid: Green Bay allows the fewest tackles to linebackers (12.0 per game) and sends the lowest share of its tackles allowed to them (17%). Week 6 at the Falcons is the best spot these two have had. Atlanta has run on 62% of plays over the last two weeks and allows 19.8 linebacker tackles per game (5th). Week 7 at home against the Patriots on Thursday is average: New England allows 16.5 per game (22nd), with a weekly range of 9 to 24. Chicago is on bye in Week 10.

Detroit Lions: Campbell on the league's busiest defense, Barnes lost base snaps

Campbell has played all 288 snaps, the most of any linebacker here, on a defense facing 72.0 plays per game (1st). He had 14 tackles in Week 4. His role in coverage might be taking him away from the line of scrimmage, plus he’s been just a tad late on tackle opportunities.
Barnes fell to 60% in Week 4 with 1 tackle. He kept his sub-package role (93%) but lost base snaps, and he lines up on the edge on 31% of his snaps.
Rodriguez appeared in Week 4 with 68% of the base snaps and no sub snaps. Those came out of Barnes' share.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): The trend to track is whether Rodriguez's base role grows. Week 5 at the Cardinals should not help him: Arizona is in 11 personnel on 62% of snaps, which keeps Detroit in nickel and favors Barnes. It is a strong spot for Campbell, since the Cardinals have averaged 72.5 plays and 23.5 linebacker tackles allowed over the last two weeks (2nd). Detroit is on bye in Week 6. Week 7 at home against the Packers is the worst tackle matchup in the league: 12.0 per game allowed to linebackers, and only 17% of Green Bay's tackles allowed go to them. Campbell is still a start based on role alone. Barnes is a sit.

Green Bay Packers: Cooper is out for the season

Cooper tore his Achilles in Week 4 and is out for the season.
McDuffie replaced him for 24 snaps and made 4 tackles. Cooper's role was worth 80% to 100% of the snaps when healthy, so McDuffie is the top linebacker pickup of the week. Ty'Ron Hopper is the other name on the depth chart to monitor.
Franklin has played all 260 snaps with the dot. His 10.8% tackle rate has room to grow with Cooper's tackles up for grabs.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): McDuffie's Week 5 snap share will show whether Green Bay hands him Cooper's role or splits it. The Bears at home are the best tackle matchup on the board: 74.5 plays per game (1st), and linebacker tackles allowed of 17, 23, 23, and 25. Chicago also uses heavy personnel on 57% of snaps (3rd), so Green Bay will need a base linebacker next to Franklin. McDuffie played no base snaps in Week 4, so whether he or Ty'Ron Hopper gets them is the thing to watch. Packers are mostly nickel. Week 6 at home against the Cowboys (11 personnel on 72% of snaps; 13.5 tackles allowed, 31st) suits his nickel role but is a poor tackle matchup. Week 7 at the Lions is another nickel game with better volume: Detroit is in 11 personnel on 66% of snaps (7th), runs 66.8 plays per game (6th), and allows 17.8 tackles per game to linebackers (13th). Green Bay is on bye in Week 11.

Minnesota Vikings: two full-time linebackers who rush the passer

Cashman has 14 pressures and 2.5 sacks to go with 33 tackles and no missed tackles. In big-play scoring, he is a top-tier option.
Wilson matches his snap count but lines up on the edge on 34% of his snaps, which holds his tackle rate at 10.7%.
No third linebacker has reached the snap cutoff in any week.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): No usage change is expected. Week 5 is at the Saints, who run 72.8 plays per game (2nd) and rank 30th in designed run rate (32%). That means volume, plus pass-rush chances for Cashman. Minnesota is on bye in Week 6. Week 7 at home against the Colts is a strong tackle spot: Indianapolis allows 21.5 per game to linebackers (3rd) and sends 38% of its tackles allowed to them (2nd-highest share).

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: Perkins has taken the passing-down job from Daniels

Deablo has the dot and 93% of third downs, but 14 tackles on 234 snaps is the lowest rate of any every-down linebacker in this report. He has spent 71% of his snaps in coverage.
Perkins has doubled his snap share since Week 1 and had 8 tackles in Week 4. He plays almost no base snaps, so his role is tied to nickel usage.
Daniels owns the base snaps (98%), but Atlanta played 5 base snaps in Week 3 and 2 in Week 4. His role is disappearing with the package.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): If Atlanta plays base defense at all, it will be in these three home games, all against heavy-personnel offenses. The Ravens in Week 5 use it on 54% of snaps (4th), the Bears in Week 6 on 57% (3rd), and the 49ers in Week 7 on 60% (2nd). These are Daniels' last chances: if he stays under 50% through this stretch, he can be dropped. Perkins' share could dip in these games without his role changing. Week 6 is Deablo's best tackle matchup of the season, with Chicago running 74.5 plays per game and allowing 22.0 tackles per game to linebackers (tied for 1st). San Francisco is average for tackles (17.5 per game, 15th) and low on volume (57.0 plays per game, 28th). Atlanta is on bye in Week 1

Carolina Panthers: Lloyd is the one to start

Lloyd missed Week 3 and came back at 100% with the green dot. He has 31 tackles and 7 TFLs in three games.
Okereke played 100% only in the week Lloyd was out. With Lloyd active, he has been at 89%, 73%, and 74%, because he leaves the field in dime, a package Carolina used 17 times in Week 4.
The defense faces 67.0 plays per game (4th most), which supports both.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Carolina is on bye in Week 5. Week 6 at the Eagles is a poor matchup: Philadelphia is in 11 personnel on 77% of snaps (1st), has averaged 52.5 plays over the last two weeks, and allows 14.5 tackles per game to linebackers (30th). Week 7 at home against the Buccaneers is another 11-personnel opponent (73% of snaps, 3rd) with an average tackle profile (17.8 per game, 13th). Lloyd is a start on role in both. Okereke is a bench candidate in both, since 11-personnel opponents invite the dime package he does not play in.

New Orleans Saints: Is Stutsman passing Werner?

Elliss played every snap through Week 3 and missed Week 4 with a calf injury. He is an every-down start when active. (NFL injury report)
Stutsman went 34%, 62%, 100% in the three weeks he appeared. With Elliss out, he was the one who never left the field.
Werner has swung between 30% and 93%. In Week 3, the last game with Elliss active, Stutsman out-snapped him 62% to 30%. Werner's Week 4 number (77%) was inflated by the injury.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Elliss' calf determines the split. If he returns, expect Stutsman ahead of Werner for the second spot, as in Week 3. Week 5 is at home against the Vikings, who allowed 25 linebacker tackles in Week 4 after 14, 11, and 10 in the first three games. Week 6 at the Giants is the best spot: New York runs on 48% of plays (5th) and has allowed 20.5 linebacker tackles per game over the last two weeks (4th). Week 7 at home against the Steelers is solid: Pittsburgh runs 63.5 plays per game (9th) and allows 18.2 tackles per game to linebackers (11th). New Orleans is on bye in Week 8.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trotter is the producer

Trotter has 29 tackles in three games, a 19.3 rate that ranks with the best full-time linebackers in this report. He has been between 82% and 92% in every game he has played.
Anzalone has played all 228 snaps with the dot but trails Trotter in tackles despite the extra game.
Rozeboom and Dennis split Trotter's role when he missed Week 3. Neither has a role when he is active.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): No usage change is expected with Trotter healthy, and he plays 83% of sub snaps, so 11-personnel opponents do not hurt him. The matchups improve each week. Week 5 at the Cowboys on Thursday is a poor one: Dallas allows 13.5 tackles per game to linebackers (31st). Week 6 at home against the Steelers (18.2 per game, 11th) is better. Week 7 at the Panthers is the best: Carolina has averaged 73.0 plays over the last two weeks, and its linebacker tackles allowed have climbed every week (10, 13, 17, 24). Tampa Bay is on bye in Week 10.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals: a steady full-time pair

Wilson and Gibbens have both been at 90% or higher every week, and no third linebacker has reached the cutoff.
Gibbens is the better producer (32 tackles to 27) even though Wilson wears the dot. His snap share has ticked down two weeks in a row (99%, 92%, 90%), which is worth one more week of watching.
The defense faces 57.2 plays per game (28th), so both are steady starts with modest ceilings.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Volume is excellent in the first two games. The Lions at home in Week 5 run 66.8 plays per game (6th), and the Rams on the road in Week 6 have averaged 79.5 over the last two weeks. Both are 11-personnel offenses (Detroit 66% of snaps, the Rams 74% over the last two weeks), and sub-package games are where Gibbens' share has slipped, so track whether his slide continues. Week 7 at home against the Broncos is a step down: Denver runs 57.5 plays per game (25th) and allows 16.0 tackles per game to linebackers (26th). Arizona is on bye in Week 14.

Los Angeles Rams: Landman is the only one to roster

Landman has the dot and 85% or more of the snaps every week. He does lose some third downs (69%) because the Rams play 15 to 29 dime snaps a game.
Speights fell to 28% in Week 4, his lowest of the season, and has played a quarter of the third downs. The Rams are effectively a one-linebacker defense.
The Rams brought in Eric Kendricks. This might be something to watch. Maybe an injury to look out for.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Landman is the only start, and all three matchups are good. The Bills at home on Monday in Week 5 have allowed at least 17 linebacker tackles in every game and use heavy personnel on 49% of snaps (6th), which gives Speights a chance at base snaps. The Cardinals at home in Week 6 have averaged 72.5 plays and 23.5 linebacker tackles allowed over the last two weeks (2nd). The Raiders on the road in Week 7 are the best of the three: tied for the most tackles allowed to linebackers (22.0 per game), at least 21 in every game, and heavy personnel on 60% of snaps (1st), Speights' best chance of the stretch. The Rams are on bye in Week 11.

San Francisco 49ers: Warner and Greenlaw are both climbing

Warner was held to 86% and 82% in the first two weeks and has been at 100% since, with 40 tackles. Warner is the green dot.
Greenlaw reached a season-high 86% in Week 4 and had 12 tackles. His 18.1% tackle rate is higher than Warner's. He still sits for about a third of the sub snaps, and he has 8 missed tackles.
Dugger is the strong-side linebacker: 89% of base snaps, 7% of sub snaps, and nearly half his snaps on the edge. His share has fallen from 56% to 23%.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Week 5 at the Seahawks is a base-defense game: Seattle uses heavy personnel on 52% of snaps (5th). That gives Dugger a one-week bump and keeps Greenlaw on the field, but Seattle allows only 14.8 tackles per game to linebackers (29th). Week 6 at home against the Commanders on Monday (11 personnel on 64% of snaps; 18.8 tackles allowed, 10th) is a better tackle spot and the real test of Greenlaw's nickel share. Week 7 at the Falcons is the best of the three: Atlanta has run on 62% of plays over the last two weeks, uses heavy personnel on 46% of snaps (8th), and allows 19.8 tackles per game to linebackers (5th). San Francisco is on bye in Week 8.

Seattle Seahawks: Jones is locked in, Thomas is losing dime snaps

Jones has missed 2 snaps all season and has 40 tackles with a 16.3 rate.
Thomas' snap share has dropped every week (100%, 94%, 82%, 78%). Seattle's dime usage has gone the other way, from 0 snaps in Week 1 to 19 in Week 4, and Thomas has played 5 of the last 32 dime snaps.
Thomas is still a usable starter at 78% with 30 tackles. The risk is that the dime trend continues. It’s not a coincidence that Thomas’s reduction started with Nick Emmanwori returning to a near full-time role.

Looking ahead (Weeks 5-7): Thomas' dime snaps are the trend to track. Week 5 at home against the 49ers should keep him on the field, because San Francisco uses heavy personnel on 60% of snaps (2nd). Week 6 at the Broncos on Thursday is where the dime risk shows: Denver has been in 11 personnel on 64% of snaps over the last two weeks and allows 16.0 tackles per game to linebackers (26th). Week 7 at home against the Chiefs helps him again. Kansas City has used heavy personnel on 57% of snaps over the last two weeks and sends 40% of its tackles allowed to off-ball linebackers, the highest share in the league, though its weekly total has swung from 33 to 6. Seattle is on bye in Week 11.

Published Oct 9, 2026, 4:01 AM ETUpdated Oct 9, 2026, 9:10 AM ET