PlayerProfiler is home to award-winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, and more. Check it out. Aaron St. Denis catches up IDP enthusiasts on the importance of recognzing the league’s Green Dot Defenders.
In the world of IDP football, it can be difficult to distinguish which players are the most reliable. Unlike on the offensive side of the ball, the signs of value may not be as obvious. A great way to find value and consistency is to identify the “Green Dot Defenders” on each team.
The green dot defender is the defensive signal-caller equipped with a helmet headset and is a linchpin, relaying critical play calls and anchoring the unit. Consider the green dot defender the quarterback of the defense. They call the plays for the defence and are therefore on the field for the majority of the team’s plays. In most cases, the green dot player is a linebacker, due to their multi-purpose skillsets, but on occasion, a defensive back may be the signal caller.
The article will project the green dot defenders for each of the 32 NFL teams and will briefly discuss some of the different degrees to which it can impact a player’s fantasy value.
The table below shows each team’s green dot defender for 2024 as well as the projected player for 2025. It also shows their position and snap share. Lastly, SPG indicated the players’ snaps per game in 2024 and their points per 100 snaps.
Green Dot Defenders
Returning Workhorses
Roquan Smith‘s Advanced Metrics
Out of the 32 NFL teams, 20 of them are likely to have the same linebacker calling their plays in 2025 as last season. These players are among the best options in IDP leagues, and all are ranked inside my Top 50 overall IDP players.
The group of 20 returning signal-callers features 12 who project to be the majority green dot player for their team. These are the players that fit that mold.
Roquan Smith, Ravens
Terrel Bernard, Bills
Logan Wilson, Bengals
Azeez Al-Shaair, Texans
Zaire Franklin, Colts
Foyesade Oluokun, Jaguars
Jordyn Brooks, Dolphins
Blake Cashman, Vikings
Bobby Okereke, Giants
Lavonte David, Buccaneers
Bobby Wagner, Commanders
This group features some of the best assets in the game, but if you are playing dynasty, be wary of Okereke, David, and Wagner, as their best years are well behind them, and their value is a ticking time bomb for fantasy.
Returning Timeshares
Kaden Elliss ‘ Advanced Metrcis
This group is exactly how it sounds. It’s elite defenders who are likely to wear the green dot, but who have shared the dot with another player to varying degrees and will likely split duties again in 2025.
Think of these defenders like you would the Detroit Lions backfield; both are reliable and proven studs, but they hurt each other’s value slightly for fantasy. This group includes the following players and who they are likely to share with.
Kaden Elliss with Divine Deablo, Falcons
Tremaine Edmunds with TJ Edwards, Bears
Alex Anzalone with Jack Campbell, Lions
Quay Walker with Edgerrin Cooper, Packers
Daiyan Henley with Junior Colson, Chargers
Demario Davis with Pete Werner, Saints
Patrick Queen with Payton Wilson, Steelers
As I mentioned before, think of these as the defensive versions of a running back committee with two solid players. Both players are good, but if either were to get injured, the other would be an instant league-winner.
Newcomer Workhorse
Christian Rozeboom‘s Advanced Metrics
This group of defenders is an interesting one. All find themselves on new teams this season or in new roles, but all project to be the team’s defensive play-caller. Just like an offensive player on a new team, they carry some added risk because of the uncertainty with their new scheme, but all have serious sleeper appeal.
This group contains the following eight players.
Christian Rozeboom, Panthers– replaces the retired Josey Jewell. Rozeboom came over from the Los Angeles Rams and has massive breakout potential as the defensive leader.
Carson Schwesinger, Browns– replaces the retired Jordan Hicks. A rookie who has never played in an NFL game so he carries a higher risk.
Elandon Roberts, Raiders– replaces Robert Spillane, who departed for New England. Came over from the Pittsburgh Steelers and figures to easily beat his career-high in snaps.
Nate Landman, Rams– replaces Christian Rozeboom, who went to the Carolina Panthers. Landman came over from the Atlanta Falcons and should see a massive increase in snap share and ultimately fantasy points.
Robert Spillane, Patriots– replaces Ja’Whaun Bentle,y who was released. Spillane came over from the Buffalo Bills and has been as consistent as they come in his career.
Zack Baun, Eagles– replaces Nakobe Dean, who is likely to miss significant time due to injury. Baun had the second-highest points per 100 snaps of any player on this list and by this time next year should be the 1.01 in IDP-only leagues. He is a stud.
Ernest Jones, Seahawks– replaces Tyrel Dodson, who is now with the Miami Dolphins. Jones is a reliable veteran and has been a consistently great IDP producer.
Cody Barton, Titans– replaces the only non-linebacker on this list in Amani Hooker. Barton came over from the Denver Broncos and
Most of these players are available later in your fantasy drafts, as all of them can either be considered a sleeper or a breakout. The only thing that they have in common is that if things break in their favor, they can be an MVP for your fantasy squad.
Newcomer Timeshares
Kenneth Murray‘s Advanced Metrics
There are only two duos in this group, and they are both similar in nature. An incredibly consistent veteran paired with a high-upside youngster. All four players have similar value; whether you choose to go with the two safe veterans or the two upside-down youngsters will depend on your roster build.
Kenneth Murray with Jack Sanborn, Cowboys– Eric Kendricks has been the green dot player for the Cowboys for what seems like forever. He is a free agent now, and the Cowboys are likely to roll out the duo of Murray and Snaborn. Sanborn has mountains of breakout potential and Murray is consistent and reliable.
Jamien Sherwood with Quincy Williams, Jets– CJ Mosley retired and has left the green dot up for grabs. The duo of Sherwood and Williams is likely to split the duties. Williams is the safer option, but the home run swing is Sherwood.
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Aaron St. Denis is a fantasy football contributor for PlayerProfiler. Find him on Twitter @FFMadScientist for more fantasy content or to ask questions.
