2020 Full-Time Linebackers in IDP Leagues
Linebacker is super-deep in IDP terms. The number of them available and the relative similarity of their statistical productivity and scoring means it’s normally easy to find them.
However, that applies in-season. In dynasty leagues (and especially deeper ones) there is a clear advantage to being able to identify them prior to the season. In 2020 this will be harder than usual because of the lack of camp access or preseason games.
This article is an educated-guess summary of who we should expect every-down LBs to be.
Some notes:
- LB is referring to true LBs here – not edge rushers.
- Injuries can and will occur – likely at a higher-than-normal rate.
Arizona Cardinals
This is an easy one. Jordan Hicks played every single one of the Cardinals’ 1,160 snaps in 2019. And there is zero reason he does not do it again (health permitting).
Next to him will be rookie Isaiah Simmons. He’ll have a steep learning curve. He’ll be expected to make plays on the coverage game to upgrade the Cardinals’ woeful pass defense. He clearly is fast – but those cover plays depend on the mental side of the game.
Atlanta Falcons
Deion Jones is of course assured an every-down role. He was disappointing in 2019 but that happens at LB. It’s a high-variance position and it’s super rare for players to continually finish as top 12 options.
Next to him is way more unpredictable. With De’Vondre Campbell gone, the team lacks a seasoned option. Foye Oluokun will get first stab at the job. He’s been productive in short stints of playing before. The other option is rookie Mychal Walker. He was not a lauded player in the draft, but he’s landed in a fantastic spot to get some playing time.
Walker is unlikely to start the season but he is also likely to end up playing in at least some games.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens did not use a full-time LB for most of 2019. Patrick Onwuasor held the role for the first few weeks but after their bye week averaged just 21 snaps per game. Josh Bynes and LJ Fort were part-time players after that.
The team did draft Patrick Queen early though which suggests they’re looking for someone to fill the role. It’ll be a surprise if Queen is not a mainstay fairly soon.
They also drafted Malik Harrison but he’s unlikely to approach every-down status. He’s a run-stopping LB and simply does not have the ability in coverage (yet) to play on passing downs.
Expect just one full-time LB as the Ravens are advocates of the multiple-safeties trend that is occurring.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are an easy defense to diagnose here. Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano are both full-time players who are likely to play every down.
Milano tends to play more on the strong side (although people will tell you he’s a Will) because the Bills like him over tight ends. Edmunds is the more valuable dynasty asset but given the importance of coverage snaps for IDP production – Milano offers better value.
Carolina Panthers
The ghost of Luke Kuechly looms large on this team. They’re expected to be the youngest defense in years and we’ll see if Matt Rhule’s college recruiting instincts work in the NFL.
Shaq Green-Thompson goes into this season as the undisputed top LB and will play every snap. Next to him, Tahir Whitehead and Jermaine Carter will battle for playing time.
It’s possible one of those wins an every-down role but by no means a given. They’re just not very good. Rookie safety Jeremy Chinn may end up getting some LB snaps on passing downs.
Whitehead is probably favorite to win the second job, but it’s a gamble – and not one with huge upside.
Chicago Bears
Roquan Smith was enormously disappointing in 2019 but is all-but-guaranteed a full-time role in 2020.
Next to him is Danny Trevathan. He’s been unreliable and disappointing ever since he left Denver but could easily stay healthy and be a productive option.
Cincinnati Bengals
Yuck.
Germaine Pratt was poor as a rookie, but he goes into 2020 as likely the first LB on the team sheet. This is a big worry. Next to him is a classic camp battle. Rookie Logan Wilson will battle Jordan Evans and veteran Josh Bynes for snaps.
The vets have the edge early in the season, but it’ll be a surprise if Wilson does not get the chance to start at some point. This unit looks like a huge weak-spot and may be supplemented with a new face or two at some point.
Cleveland Browns
Mack Wilson snatched one of the jobs last year and held it all year. But make no mistake – he was poor, and his hold is tenuous.
Early 2019 pick Sione Takitaki, 2020 rookie Jacob Phillips, and underwhelming vet BJ Goodson are the obvious other options. There could well be a good contributor among them but you’ll need to listen for whispers on who it could be.
Dallas Cowboys
The names are obvious: Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch are playing every snap they can handle.
The worry is Vander Esch’s health. Neck surgery is a scary thing for anyone and especially an LB. He showed an amazing ceiling as a rookie back in 2018 but you do have to worry if he can stay healthy.
Lurking behind these two is the timeless Sean Lee. He’ll step in to cover any absence.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos really lack a modern, mobile LB. Todd Davis has been a fixture for a while now and AJ Johnson claimed the other job decisively in 2019. But both of them are relatively slow, run-stoppers.
Vic Fangio loves to compensate for this by using three safeties, so this isn’t a huge issue. But still…
It’s also not well-known that Johnson is actually older than Davis. These two are decent 2020 options but from a dynasty viewpoint, it’s likely that at least one will lose his job in a year’s time.
Detroit Lions
They have the most confusing LB situation in the NFL.
In 2019, Matt Patricia acted much like his former boss Bill Belichick in using multiple LBs in interesting ways. It didn’t work for the Lions and it didn’t work for IDP owners.
It’s tough to see any good options. Jarrad Davis is on his last chance with his fifth-year option declined, Jahlani Tavai is a player in the Dont’a Hightower mold – useful in NFL terms but doomed to be a bad IDP. Christian Jones is not a full-time player. Jamie Collins may be – but after his big plays in 2019 (and big-name recognition) he’s overpriced.
This is likely a team to avoid unless you’re obtaining one of them for free.
Green Bay Packers
Blake Martinez has moved on, but Christian Kirksey has come in to replace him. Assuming he can stay healthy, Kirksey should be a guaranteed full-time player.
Unfortunately, that’s likely it. Mike Pettine just does not use a second full-time LB. He prefers using multiple safeties on passing downs. Oren Burks was a hugely exciting prospect but we need to accept that he’s unlikely to ever become the IDP we wanted him to be.
Houston Texans
Zach Cunningham remains the top option on the team. Benardrick McKinney is also a full-time player, but he’s often used to stuff gaps or rush the passer which hurts his efficiency.
If either of these is hurt, then Dylan Cole will likely step up into a full-time role.
Indianapolis Colts
Darius Leonard is of course guaranteed a full-time role. He is a star. Behind him is murky. Anthony Walker has been the number two for a while now, but he’s only been an every-down player when Leonard has missed time.
Added to that, the rumors are that Bonny Okereke could well usurp him in 2020. Okereke was a good coverage player in college and flashed that as a rookie. So, he probably has more chance of a full-time job than Walker does. It’s gamble though.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The two names on the list are fairly clear. Joe Schobert has proved he’s a real NFL LB (even though he was used more on the edge in college) and will likely be the top option.
Myles Jack is probably guaranteed the other spot, but he needs to show more. He’s never quite lived up to the potential or the hype. And as an IDP, he’s been shockingly inefficient. Fortunately, Quincy Williams is behind him and he’s just a bad player. Jack is so interesting. He should be available cheap given what he’s done, but in most leagues, there’s probably still someone that thinks he’s a big-name, good IDP asset.
Kansas City Chiefs
The wind of change is blowing strongly here. In their title-winning 2019, the Chiefs decided to not use any full-time LBs after about week six. Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson remained the top names, but Reggie Ragland (!) and Ben Niemann also played some. With Daniel Sorenson also in his time-honored hybrid role.
The reason for all this was simple – the Chiefs just lacked a reliable coverage LB. Which is why they drafted Willie Gay. Gay may not start the season (because of the way the 2020 off-season has turned out) but he has by far the best chance of becoming an every-down Chiefs LB this year.
Las Vegas Raiders
Jon Gruden has made some shockingly bad LB decisions since his return – but he seems to have got past that in 2020 – or at least Mike Mayock has made him see sense.
The Raiders spent big on bringing Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski in. The value may be debated but they are two huge upgrades to the team and should be expected to play every snap.
Los Angeles Chargers
Since Gus Bradley took over as Chargers defensive coordinator, they’ve become a byword for random LB changes. They’ve rarely given any LB full-time work and when they have it’s only been for a game or two in a row.
When they traded up to select Kenneth Murray on the first round it raised hopes this could change – and he certainly has the best chance of breaking the pattern. But he does have flaws and will need time to adapt to the NFL.
Behind Murray we should expect similar rotation. If anyone is going to own a full-time role Drue Tranquill is likely the best bet but there is no guarantee.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are one of the hardest LB units to predict. They have precisely zero proven commodities at the position.
Micah Kizer barely played as a rookie in 2018 but was penciled in as a starter in 2019 before getting hurt. The coaching staff have said nice things and it seems one job is his to lose. Behind him, there are just gambles.
- Terrell Burgess was a third-round draft pick in 2020. He has a chance to convert from college safety to NFL LB.
- Kenny Young has some hype – but he’s a special teamer.
- Troy Reeder is a converted safety who started a couple of games and played 300 snaps in 2019.
- Travin Howard played a few snaps in 2018 as a rookie but is a long shot.
- Clay Johnston was a seventh-round pick this year – but he’s a long shot too.
You get the picture. There are a lot of options here – all of whom have a low chance of success.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins defense is one of the least well-understood in the NFL. People think Raekwon McMillan is a starting LB, Kyle Van Noy is a “hybrid” player and even Elandon Roberts is a starter.
Nope.
The only full-time, orthodox LB on this roster is Jerome Baker. In all probability. McMillan and Roberts are part-time run-stuffers. Van Noy is an OLB who is a pass rusher first. Samuel Eguavoen is fighting for his roster spot.
Baker has a lot to prove but he’s the only name on this list.
Minnesota Vikings
Mike Zimmer is nothing if not reliable. Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr are the full-time LBs – and will be until something drastic happens.
New England Patriots
Similar to the Lions and Dolphins, the Patriots LBs are poorly understood. In 2019 Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins were full-time players – but with very different roles. Neither of those are on the team in 2020.
The obvious orthodox LB who can attempt to fill Hightower’s shoes is Ja’Whaun Bentley. He’s flashed potential but he’s a run-stopper first and lacks Hightower’s underrated coverage ability and flexibility.
The next man up is likely Adrian Phillips. He’s no guarantee but has every chance to be an every-down box player with safety eligibility on MFL.
Josh Uche is more likely to be deployed as a Van Noy-style OLB. Brandon Copeland is the last player who could feasibly carve out a significant role, but he’s a very long shot.
New Orleans Saints
Demario Davis retains the sole reliable LB spot on the Saints. He’s all but guaranteed an every-snap job.
Behind him, Alex Anzalone and Kiko Alonso will continue to scrap for snaps. With rookie Zach Baun a dark horse for true ILB playing time. He’s likely to play more as a Sam LB but could earn more at some point.
New York Jets
With CJ Mosley opting out of the season, the depth chart got a lot less clear. But we also know that Gregg Williams loves to stick with is starters so this is a very valuable pair of jobs.
Avery Williamson and Blake Cashman are the top options as it stands right now. Williamson has been excellent at times but missed all of 2019. Cashman is full of potential but was poor as a rookie.
The likes of Neville Hewitt, James Burgess and Patrick Onwuasor are all roster cloggers. Avoid them for now. You can always grab them if injuries occur.
New York Giants
The Giants traditionally do not invest in the LB position. That changed a little as they spent big dollar on Blake Martinez. Hopefully he can be an impact player and he will be a full-time option.
Behind him, it seems likely there is no full-time option given the coaching staff. Ryan Connelly and David Mayo are both interesting – but do not have three-down skillsets.
Philadelphia Eagles
They are one of the hardest teams to decipher (along with the Rams).
Nate Gerry held down a job for much of last year (without impressing) and should have first dibs on one in 2020. TJ Edwards has shone in limited snaps and Davion Taylor was drafted in the third round. Both of those will likely have the chance to start games at some point in 2020.
This unit is best looked at as a smorgasbord of players who will start games rather than a fixed hierarchy in August that will remain the same all season.
But this columnist is most excited about Taylor who is a true modern NFL LB talent.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Devin Bush failed to hold on to his every-down role as a rookie and lost snaps late in the season to Marc Barron. He should improve on that and be a full-time player from here on in his career.
Next to him is Vince Williams. The coaching staff say he will “start” but that’s no guarantee of playing every snap. And we know Williams is a low-efficiency IDP. Expect the Steelers to use a third safety on some downs and Bush to be the only every-down option.
Seattle Seahawks
Bobby Wagner remains one of the best LBs in the NFL and is guaranteed every snap. Behind him is a quandary.
Famously in 2019, the Seahawks used a lot of three-LB personnel. This was a one-year thing so maybe they abandon it in 2020. But given they drafted Jordyn Brooks in the first round, maybe it’s a philosophical decision.
Brooks is likely to be a major part of this defense at some point but also KJ Wright is still a fine player. Not to mention Cody Barton and Ben Burr-Kiven lurking in the background. All of which says – there’s no value here. All of the pieces are too expensive as well as too risky.
As an aside – Shaquem Griffin is a special teamer. He is a cool story – but he has no business on your dynasty roster.
San Francisco 49ers
This will disappoint some people, but the clear starters are likely to be Kwon Alexander and Fred Warner. Dre Greenlaw did fine in Alexander’s absence last year and he started some big games. But a healthy Alexander is likely to come back in as a full-time player.
All of these three players are being valued as full-time starters though – so people will be disappointed.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Devin White was disappointing as a rookie. Lavonte David was (predictably) excellent.
Expect these two to play every snap they possibly can and the whole Bucs defense to be significantly improved.
Tennessee Titans
Jayon Brown and Rashaan Evans are nailed-on the be full-time players as long as they’re healthy.
Brown should be your target. He’s far better in coverage which is more efficient. Evans is the better pass rusher and a fantastic player in the run game – but that’s not as useful for our purposes.
Washington Football Team
Just like most aspects of this franchise, this unit is a mess. Thomas Davis might be the best option, but he is in his late thirties.
Reuben Foster has flashed elite potential, but he has off-field concerns and a history of injury. Cole Holcomb might be the most reliable and he has a lot of fans but he’s nothing special. Jon Bostic is just a replacement-level player – but is coming off an excellent IDP season.
Foster is the high-risk/high reward option, Davis is the value bet, and Holcomb the safest one. Take your pick.
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