Three-Down Linebackers You Need to Plug in Your IDP Roster for 2023
I can make the argument that the linebacker position is the most important position in IDP. More teams are deploying odd fronts and including an extra defensive back, which takes a linebacker off the field, so the number of true three-down and full-time linebackers is dwindling. More teams are deploying single-LB packages at a higher rate, so drafting linebackers who'll barely leave the field is vital. Snaps=Opportunities=Production.
This article will be updated weekly as information is presented and potential roles change. Here's how snaps and usage are playing out, and I'll point if a non-LB is wearing the dot.
2023 IDP Three-Down Linebackers
| Team | Player | Games Played 2023 | Defensive Snaps 2023 | 2023 Defensive Snap Rate | Green Dot 2023 | Tackle Rate 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARI | Krys Barnes | 15 | 353 | 30% | x | 13.9% |
| ATL | Kaden Elliss | 16 | 997 | 99% | x | 11.9% |
| ATL | Nathan Landman | 15 | 700 | 68% | 14.4% | |
| BAL | Roquan Smith | 16 | 1,065 | 98% | x | 14.7% |
| BAL | Patrick Queen | 16 | 1,068 | 98% | 11.7% | |
| BUF | Terrel Bernard | 16 | 951 | 92% | x | 14.1% |
| CAR | Frankie Luvu | 16 | 862 | 94% | x | 13.2% |
| CHI | TJ Edwards | 15 | 982 | 97% | 14.1% | |
| CHI | Tremaine Edmunds | 13 | 815 | 80% | x | 11.9% |
| CIN | Logan Wilson | 16 | 968 | 99% | x | 13.4% |
| CIN | Germaine Pratt | 16 | 883 | 91% | 13.1% | |
| CLE | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | 16 | 760 | 75% | 13.3% | |
| DAL | Damone Clark | 16 | 697 | 73% | 12.9% | |
| DEN | Alex Singleton | 16 | 956 | 96% | x | 16.9% |
| DEN | Josey Jewell | 9 | 439 | 66% | 13.7% | |
| DET | Derrick Barnes | 15 | 595 | 63% | 12.6% | |
| DET | Alex Anzalone | 15 | 933 | 91% | x | 12.8% |
| GB | Quay Walker | 13 | 732 | 74% | x | 14.1% |
| GB | De'Vondre Campbell | 10 | 482 | 53% | 13.9% | |
| HOU | Christian Harris | 15 | 693 | 63% | 12.8% | |
| IND | Zaire Franklin | 16 | 951 | 92% | x | 18.0% |
| IND | EJ Speed | 11 | 538 | 58% | 16.2% | |
| JAX | Foyesade Oluokun | 16 | 974 | 99% | x | 17.1% |
| JAX | Devin Lloyd | 15 | 831 | 86% | 14.7% | |
| KC | Nick Bolton | 8 | 442 | 40% | x | 13.6% |
| LAC | Kenneth Murray* | 14 | 899 | 94% | 12.0% | |
| LAC | Eric Kendricks | 13 | 738 | 70% | x | 14.2% |
| LAR | Ernest Jones | 15 | 864 | 86% | x | 16.8% |
| LV | Robert Spillane | 16 | 1,034 | 97% | x | 13.2% |
| LV | Divine Deablo | 13 | 708 | 65% | 12.4% | |
| MIA | David Long | 15 | 748 | 73% | 13.4% | |
| MIA | Duke Riley | 16 | 357 | 31% | x | 10.9% |
| MIN | Ivan Pace | 16 | 687 | 62% | 13.5% | |
| MIN | Jordan Hicks | 12 | 768 | 70% | x | 12.0% |
| NE | Ju'Whaun Bentley | 14 | 868 | 85% | x | 11.1% |
| NO | Demario Davis | 16 | 962 | 97% | x | 11.1% |
| NO | Pete Werner | 15 | 882 | 85% | 10.2% | |
| NYG | Bobby Okereke | 16 | 1,062 | 100% | x | 13.4% |
| NYJ | CJ Mosley | 16 | 1,004 | 99% | x | 14.3% |
| NYJ | Quincy Williams | 16 | 971 | 96% | 13.4% | |
| PHI | Nicholas Morrow | 14 | 772 | 68% | x | 10.6% |
| PIT | Myles Jack | 2 | 96 | 73% | x | 14.6% |
| SEA | Bobby Wagner | 16 | 1,014 | 98% | x | 16.7% |
| SEA | Jordyn Brooks | 15 | 740 | 73% | 15.0% | |
| SF | Fred Warner | 16 | 909 | 95% | x | 14.2% |
| SF | Dre Greenlaw | 15 | 809 | 82% | 14.1% | |
| TB | Lavonte David | 14 | 893 | 83% | x | 12.9% |
| TB | Devin White | 13 | 827 | 79% | 9.8% | |
| TEN | Azeez Al-Shaair | 16 | 969 | 95% | x | 15.8% |
| WAS | Cody Barton | 13 | 704 | 68% | x | 13.8% |
| WAS | Khaleke Hudson | 15 | 344 | 26% | 18.0% |
*-Injured
Arizona Cardinals
The Eagles were limited to just 49 offensive plays. Krys Barnes was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot in Week 17. I'm surprised Barnes managed to record seven tackles. Owen Pappoe was the LB2 opposite Barnes and saw 76% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Krys Barnes
Atlanta Falcons
Kaden Elliss was the lone three-down LB for the Falcojs in Week 17. Elliss came through for his owners with nine tackles and a sack. Elliss has had a solid year for his owners. The Falcons were in dime/single-LB for 14 snaps and Nate Landman was the LB off the field.
Week 17 Green Dot: Kaden Elliss
Baltimore Ravens
Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen were the three-down LBs for the Ravens in Week 17. Smith wore the dot, as usual. The Ravens have deployed a 2-LB system all season.
Week 17 Green Dot: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills
Terrel Bernard wore the dot on defense for the Bills in Week 17 and saw 100% of the snaps. Bernard came through big for his owners with a 10 tackle performance and added two big sacks. Tyrel Dodson had a full-time role in Week 17 and saw 87% of the snaps. The Bills are playing to get to the post-season, so if you need Bernard in Week 18, fire him up.
Week 17 Green Dot: Terrel Bernard
Carolina Panthers
Frankie Luvu got dinged in the first quarter and missed some snaps. Luvu returned in the second quarter and ended up appearing in 83% of the snaps. Kamu Grugier-Hill came in for Luvu, but still saw only 40% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Frankle Luvu
Chicago Bears
Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards had close to three-down roles in Week 17, as they were each on the field for all but a handful of snaps. Unfortunately, horrible timing for poor production. TJ Edwards managed just two tackles and Edmunds added five.
Week 17 Green Dot: Tremaine Edmunds
Cincinnati Bengals
Logan Wilson was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Germaine Pratt was on the field for all but five snaps and managed just one tackle.
Week 17 Green Dot: Logan Wilson
Cleveland Browns
Anthony Walker was inactive in Week 17 which meant a three-down role for Sione Takitaki. Takitaki wore the dot and exploded for 16 tackles. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah had a full-time role and appeared in 97% of the snaps. JOK finished with 11 tackles. The Browns have the 5th seed wrapped up, so I'm not expecting much playing time out of the regulars in Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Sione Takitaki
Dallas Cowboys
Once again, the Cowboys didn't deploy a full-time off-ball LB in Week 17. Damone Clark was on the field for just 71% of the snaps and Markquese Bell saw 64% of the snaps. If I needed a Dallas LB for Week 18, I trust Bell more than Clark at this point.
Week 17 Green Dot: Jayron Kearse (DB)
Denver Broncos
Alex Singleton was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot in Week 17. Singleton recorded his 12th double-digit tackle performance against the Chargers. With his 11 tackle performance in Week 17, he's now exceeded his career-high in tackles set last year (164). Josey Jewell had a full-time role in Week 17 and saw 83% of the snaps. Jewell added nine tackles - though just two were solos.
Week 17 Green Dot: Alex Singleton
Detroit Lions
Alex Anzalone was the lone three-down LB in Week 17 for the Lions. Anzalone was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Derrick Barnes returned to the field in Week 17 and saw 71% of the snaps. Jack Campbell saw 40 snaps (62%).
Week 17 Green Dot: Alex Anzalone
Green Bay Packers
De'Vondre Campbell was inactive in Week 17 which opened up another start for Isaiah McDuffie. Unfortunately, a concussion knocked out McDuffie after just 15 snaps. Quay Walker was on the field for all 53 snaps and wore the dot. Eric Wilson came on for McDuffie and appeared in 70% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Quay Walker
Houston Texans
Blake Cashman returned to the field in Week 17. Cashman's snaps were liimited and he rotated with Denzel Perryman as the defensive playcaller. Christian Harris was the lone full-time LB on defense and was on the field for 91% of the snaps. The Titans managed just 52 plays. Cashman saw 49% of the snaps while Perryman saw 56% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Denzel Perryman/Blake Cashman
Indianapolis Colts
Once again, EJ Speed and Zaire Franklin came up big for their owners in Week 17 - each recording double-digit tackles. Franklin was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Franklin recorded 10 tackles to bring his season total to 171. Speed added 12 of his own tackles. Both should be in your lineups for Week 18, as the Colts are playing for a possible division title.
Week 17 Green Dot: Zaire Franklin
Jacksonville Jaguars
Foyesade Oluokun was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Devin Lloyd was on the field for all but five snaps. Both should be started in Week 18 if you have a championship game.
Week 17 Green Dot: Foyesade Oluokun
Kansas City Chiefs
Nick Bolton wore the dot on defense and came up huge for his IDP owners in Week 17. Bolton finished with 13 tackles and was all over the field against the Bengals. It was still an ugly rotation at LB2 opposite Bolton. Willie Gay saw just 49% of the snaps. Drue Tranquill was on for 38% of the snaps, while Leo Chenal saw just 30% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Nick Bolton
Las Vegas Raiders
Robert Spillane was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot for the Raiders in Week 17. The Raiders were in dime/single-LB for seven snaps, as it was Divine Deablo who came off the field. Deablo still saw 88% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Robert Spillane
Los Angeles Chargers
Kenneth Murray ended up inactive with a shoulder injury. Eric Kendricks would wear the dot in Week 17 and see 100% of the snaps. Nick Niemann was the LB2 opposite Kendricks, however, he'd see just 68% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Eric Kendricks
Los Angeles Rams
Ernest Jones saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot in Week 17. Jones came up big for his owners with a 13-tackle performance in Week 17. Jones has enjoyed a breakout year with 145 tackles and 16.8% tackle rate. Jones has been the only Rams LB to own this season.
Week 17 Green Dot: Ernest Jones
Miami Dolphins
Duke Riley was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot in Week 17. David Long had a full-time role in Week 17 and saw 84% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Duke Riley
Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Hicks was on the field for all but eight snaps and wore the dot when he was on the field. Suprisingly, Ivan Pace was on the field for 100% of the snaps after seeing just 38% of the snaps in Week 16. I think Pace has broken the mold for under-sized LBs and I think he's going to be a star.
Week 17 Green Dot: Jordan Hicks
New England Patriots
Ju'Whaun Bentley saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot in Week 17. Jahlani Tavai saw a full-time role this week and was on the field for 83% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Ju'Whaun Bentley
New Orleans Saints
Demario Davis was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Pete Werrner saw 77% of the snaps and led the defense in tackles (9).
Week 17 Green Dot: Demario Davis
New York Giants
Bobby Okereke was the lone three-down LB for the Giants in Week 17. Although Okereke finished with 10 tackles, just two were solos. He did, however, add 1.5 sacks to the stat-sheet. Over the last few weeks, Micah McFadden had a role in the defense, but it diminished in Week 17. McFadden saw just 37% of the snaps against the Rams.
Week 17 Green Dot: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets
CJ Mosley was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot in Week 17. Quincy Williams was on the field for all but three snaps. Mosley had a big forced fumble and recovery and Williams had his own forced fumble. If you have a Week 18 title game, it might be tough to count on Mosley or Williams if the Jets decided to limit the playing time of their regulars.
Week 17 Green Dot: CJ Mosley
Philadelphia Eagles
Nicholas Morrow returned to the field in Week 17. Morrow was on the field for all but one snap and wore the dot on defense. With Morrow back in the fold, the Eagles went dime/single-LB heavy. Shaq Leonard saw just 51% of the snaps and was the LB off the field in their single-LB packages. Zach Cunningham was inactive in Week 17.
Week 17 Green Dot: Nicholas Morrow
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers limited the Seahawks to just 49 plays. Myles Jack was the lone three-down off-ball LB for the Steelers and he saw 100% of the snaps while wearing the dot. Jack managed eight tackles and now has a 14.6% tackle rate through his two games. Mykal Walker saw just 33% of the snaps. He's off the IDP radar in Week 18.
Week 17 Green Dot: Myles Jack
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers limited the Commanders to just 46 plays, so I was surprised to see Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw manage any production. Warner and Greenlaw were on the field for all but four snaps. Warner wore the dot, as usual.
Week 17 Green Dot: Fred Warner
Seattle Seahawks
Jordyn Brooks was inactive in Week 17 which opened up snaps for Devin Bush. Bush saw 90% of the snaps and recorded 17 tackles. Bobby Wagner saw 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Wagner recorded 14 of his own tackles. However, the Seattle scorekeeper was very stingy with the solos. Out of the 31 combined tackles for Wagner and Bush, just nine were solos.
Week 17 Green Dot: Bobby Wagner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Lavonte David was the lone full-time LB for the Bucs in Week 17. David was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Devin White saw his snaps scaled way back and was on the field for just 73% of the snaps.
Week 17 Green Dot: Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans
Azeez Al-Shaair was the lone full-time off-ball LB in Week 17. Al-Shaair was on the field for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. With Jack Gibbens on IR, Otis Reese saw snaps as the LB2 opposite Al-Shaair. Reese saw 56% of the snaps as the Titans were in single-LB/dime for over half the game.
Week 17 Green Dot: Azeez Al-Shaair
Washington Commanders
Cody Barton and Khalele Hudson were the full-time LBs for Washington in Week 17. Barton was on for 100% of the snaps and wore the dot. Hudson saw all but one snap. Barton and Hudson came up big for their owners - combining for 23 tackles. Barton recorded 12 while Hudson notched 11 of his own.
Week 17 Green Dot: Cody Barton
