Six weeks into the NFL season, defensive coordinators continue to remind fantasy managers that linebacker rotations are apparently a team-building exercise.
Some linebackers are finally earning every-down responsibilities. Others are watching their snap counts disappear faster than your FAAB budget after one good waiver-wire performance. And then there's Philadelphia, where the linebacker rotation has become its own weekly mystery.
With injuries mounting and bye weeks creating lineup headaches, we're examining the most important off-ball linebacker developments heading into Week 7. This week's review combines defensive snap percentages from Weeks 4–6 with season-to-date tackle production, box alignments and pressure data.
Total snaps tell us who's playing. The other numbers show whether those opportunities translate into fantasy value. As always, starting linebacker doesn't automatically mean every-down linebacker. Box scores flirt. Snap counts commit. And defensive coordinators apparently refuse to settle down.
Let's open the Week 6 receipts.
Week 6 Linebacker Usage Efficiency
Arizona Cardinals
Jack Gibbens rewarded patient fantasy managers after his Week 5 playing-time reduction. He played 76% of Arizona's defensive snaps in Week 5 before rebounding to 84% in Week 6, finishing with seven tackles. Through six games, Gibbens has accumulated 42 combined tackles, one sack and three quarterback hits. His 280 box snaps and four pressures further support his continued involvement in the defense.
Mack Wilson Sr. remains the safer fantasy option. Wilson has played 100% of Arizona's defensive snaps in three consecutive games while handling the green-dot responsibilities. He has accumulated 44 combined tackles and 340 box snaps this season.
IDP takeaway: Wilson remains the preferred weekly starter, but Gibbens is back in the LB3/LB4 conversation. The shoulder concern hasn't disappeared, although the Week 6 workload was encouraging.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta might have the most interesting injury-created linebacker opportunity heading into Week 7. Kendal Daniels suffered a neck injury in Week 6 and Divine Deablo also exited with a forearm injury. Those developments could open the door for Josh Woods and Harold Perkins Jr., two linebackers with very different fantasy profiles.
Woods became the green dot after Daniels left the game and played every defensive snap in the second half. He finished with four tackles, three of which came after halftime. His second-half tackle rate was approximately 9.1%. Woods has accumulated only 54 box snaps and three slot snaps in the supplied season-to-date alignment data, illustrating how limited his opportunity had been before the injuries. If he inherits the green dot and an every-down role, his value would come primarily from tackle volume.
Perkins is the more intriguing talent. He played 29 of 33 defensive snaps in the second half, an 88% participation rate. His overall Week 6 snap share reached 53% after falling to 32.9% in Week 5. Through six games, Perkins has produced 19 combined tackles, one sack, one pass defended and one forced fumble. He has also accumulated 187 box snaps and three pressures. The supplied scouting analysis credits Perkins with an 83.5 coverage grade and 0.94 yards allowed per coverage snap. Those numbers support the argument that he can handle the expanded opportunity.
IDP takeaway: Woods is the short-term volume play if he retains the green dot. Perkins is the upside swing, particularly in dynasty leagues. Atlanta's injury reports will determine whether either becomes a dependable Week 7 starter.
Chicago Bears
D'Marco Jackson is becoming an interesting waiver-wire option while T.J. Edwards remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Jackson played 78.7% of the defensive snaps in Week 5 before increasing his workload to 84% in Week 6. He played 46 snaps in Week 6, compared with 44 for Devin Bush and 25 for Noah Sewell. Jackson has also handled green-dot responsibilities during Edwards' absence.
Unfortunately, he managed only one tackle in Week 6, which is hardly the return fantasy managers were hoping for. However, the opportunity remains encouraging. Jackson has accumulated 104 box snaps and two pressures in the season-to-date alignment data, reflecting his more limited involvement earlier in the year.
Bush has a more established production profile. Through six games, he has accumulated 34 combined tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack and two fumble recoveries. His 10 pressures also stand out, giving him an additional path to fantasy production.
IDP takeaway: Jackson is a reasonable LB3/LB4 option while Edwards remains unavailable. Bush offers a more established statistical profile, but Edwards' eventual return could change the entire rotation.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas is quietly developing one of the more interesting linebacker competitions in football. Jaishawn Barham played approximately 80% of the defensive snaps in both Weeks 5 and 6. Meanwhile, Shemar James increased his participation from 41.7% in Week 5 to 79% in Week 6.
Dee Winters has moved in the opposite direction, dropping from 80% in Week 4 to 63.9% in Week 5 and just 21% in Week 6. His reported injury is important context, however, and we shouldn't automatically interpret that decline as a permanent coaching decision.
Barham has accumulated 32 combined tackles, four tackles for loss and one forced fumble through six games. His 255 box snaps and four pressures further support his substantial involvement. James has recorded 160 box snaps but has yet to record a pressure in the supplied alignment dataset. That makes his growing tackle opportunities particularly important. Winters, meanwhile, has produced 35 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception and one forced fumble this season.
IDP takeaway: Barham remains the safer fantasy option based on recent workload and established production, but James is becoming an intriguing waiver-wire target. If his near-80% role (79%) continues, he'll deserve attention in deeper IDP leagues. Dallas apparently looked at its linebacker depth chart and decided everybody needed a turn. Unfortunately, fantasy managers weren't invited to the meeting.
Denver Broncos
Alex Singleton continues doing Alex Singleton things. He has played every defensive snap in three consecutive games, including 85 snaps in Week 6. He has posted 68 combined tackles through six games, including 37 assists and three tackles for loss. His 408 box snaps lead the supplied linebacker alignment dataset, and he has also generated six pressures. That is exactly the type of workload we want from an IDP linebacker. Singleton isn't relying on an occasional splash play to justify his fantasy value. He's simply on the field constantly and finding the football.
Justin Strnad has also maintained a substantial role, playing 84.8%, 89.6% and 89% of Denver's defensive snaps over the last three games. Strnad has 31 combined tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack.
IDP takeaway: Singleton remains an automatic starter. Strnad continues to offer useful LB3/LB4 value in deeper formats.
Houston Texans
Remember when Jake Hansen looked like one of the better injury-related linebacker pickups? Well, Henry To'oTo'o returned, and the Texans apparently remembered they already had another linebacker. Hansen played 94.9% of the defensive snaps in Week 4 and 95.2% in Week 5. His workload collapsed to 51% in Week 6. To'oTo'o immediately reclaimed a substantial role, playing 70 of 71 defensive snaps in Week 6 and producing six tackles, including a tackle for loss.
Azeez Al-Shaair played 83% of the defensive snaps, leaving Hansen with only 36 snaps. Hansen has accumulated 29 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and one interception through six games. However, his reduced participation makes that production difficult to trust moving forward.
IDP takeaway: To'oTo'o becomes the preferred waiver-wire target, while Hansen is difficult to start unless his playing time rebounds.
New England Patriots
Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss returned to every-down workloads in Week 6 after both played 83.3% of the defensive snaps in Week 5. Both linebackers played all 62 defensive snaps in Week 6, providing some reassurance for fantasy managers concerned about their reduced participation the previous week.
Spillane has accumulated 39 combined tackles, 319 box snaps and six pressures through six games. Elliss has produced 38 combined tackles, one sack and one forced fumble while accumulating 290 box snaps and five pressures.
IDP takeaway: The usage supports both players remaining fantasy-relevant. Spillane is the safer weekly option, while Elliss provides value in deeper formats.
New Orleans Saints
Pete Werner continues moving in the right direction. After playing 77.2% of the defensive snaps in Week 4, Werner reached 100% participation in both Weeks 5 and 6. Through six games, Werner has accumulated 46 combined tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks. His 265 box snaps and seven pressures showcase his involvement near the line of scrimmage.
Danny Stutsman has also maintained a meaningful role, playing 100%, 85.9% and 87% of the defensive snaps over the last three games. Stutsman has accumulated 32 combined tackles, although his limited splash-play production makes him more dependent on tackle volume.
IDP takeaway: Werner is becoming a safer weekly starter, while Stutsman remains a deeper-league option.
Philadelphia Eagles
We've officially reached the point where the Philadelphia linebacker rotation deserves its own episode of Unsolved Mysteries. Jihaad Campbell played 94% of the defensive snaps in Week 4, 86.1% in Week 5 and just 61% in Week 6. That's a 33-percentage-point decline in two weeks.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. played 35% of the defensive snaps in Week 6, while Zack Baun continued handling an every-down role. Philadelphia has reportedly been using a series-based rotation between Campbell and Trotter. Campbell has also been managing a knee issue, adding another variable to the situation.
What's frustrating is that Campbell's season-to-date production remains encouraging. He has amassed 47 combined tackles, one sack and one forced fumble through six games. His alignment totals include 267 box snaps, 39 slot snaps and five pressures. Trotter has accumulated 113 box snaps, five slot snaps and one pressure.
Campbell has demonstrated a more extensive and varied role over the season, but that doesn't eliminate the concern surrounding his declining weekly participation. Baun has accumulated 42 combined tackles, five tackles for loss and four passes defended in five games. He remains the linebacker to trust in Philadelphia.
IDP takeaway: Campbell is still talented enough to produce when given the opportunity, but fantasy managers can no longer assume he'll receive an every-down workload. Trotter is a speculative addition in dynasty and deeper leagues. Apparently, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio believes the best way to develop two young linebackers is to make fantasy managers miserable every Sunday.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Payton Wilson continues to establish himself as one of the most encouraging linebacker developments of the season. He played 81.2% of Pittsburgh's defensive snaps in Week 4, 88.7% in Week 5 and 92% in Week 6. His production supports the increasing workload. Through six games, Wilson has accumulated 51 combined tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. He has also recorded 280 box snaps and five pressures.
Patrick Queen continues playing every defensive snap, but Wilson has produced more tackles and impact plays in the supplied season-to-date sample. We've already seen Wilson's ability when given opportunities. The question was whether Pittsburgh would trust him with a larger workload. Three consecutive weeks of increasing defensive participation suggest that answer is becoming clearer.
IDP takeaway: Wilson is developing into a dependable weekly starter, particularly in leagues requiring multiple linebackers.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers wrapped up Week 6 with a 23–17 victory over Washington on Monday Night Football. Because of the late game, the official defensive snap counts weren't available when this article was prepared, so we're working from the box score rather than pretending we know who played every down.
Jaden Dugger led San Francisco with 11 combined tackles, including eight solo stops. That's an impressive performance from a linebacker who has been working his way into a larger role. The rookie has become an intriguing IDP waiver-wire name, particularly with the 49ers dealing with injuries at linebacker.
However, one productive game doesn't automatically establish an every-down role. I want to see Dugger's defensive participation and alignment numbers before declaring him a reliable weekly starter. If the playing time supports Monday's production, he's someone fantasy managers should be targeting.
Fred Warner finished with eight combined tackles, including six solo stops. Through his first five games, Warner had accumulated 50 combined tackles, one sack, three passes defended and three forced fumbles. Monday's performance brings him to 58 combined tackles through six games.
IDP takeaway: There's nothing particularly concerning about Warner's production. He's still the dependable linebacker fantasy managers drafted, and the eight-tackle performance reinforces his weekly value. The bigger takeaway is Dugger. Eleven tackles will get everyone's attention, but his snap count will determine whether this was the beginning of something sustainable or simply one productive Monday night.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Josiah Trotter has officially entered the every-down linebacker conversation. He played 83.3% of the defensive snaps in Week 4, 98.3% in Week 5 and 100% in Week 6. Through five games, Trotter has accumulated 48 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and one defensive touchdown. His 277 box snaps and three pressures further support his substantial defensive involvement.
Alex Anzalone also played every defensive snap in Week 6, although his season-to-date production has been more modest.
IDP takeaway: Trotter isn't knocking on the door of every-down status anymore. He's moved in, unpacked his bags and started rearranging the furniture. His growing workload and production make him a strong weekly IDP option.
Tennessee Titans
Anthony Hill Jr. remains Tennessee's unquestioned every-down linebacker. Hill has played 100% of the defensive snaps in each of the last six games and has 56 combined tackles. His 395 box snaps rank among the highest totals in the supplied alignment dataset, reinforcing his substantial defensive workload.
The more interesting development is happening behind him. Cody Barton played 82.8% of the defensive snaps in Week 4 and 97% in Week 5 before falling to just 53% in Week 6. Cedric Gray has maintained a rotational role, playing 46.9%, 42.4% and 46% of the defensive snaps over those three games. Gray hasn't overtaken Barton, but his production relative to his playing time is worth examining.
Barton has accumulated 29 combined tackles in six games, while Gray has produced 25 combined tackles in five games. That leaves Gray only four tackles behind Barton despite playing considerably fewer defensive snaps.
The supplied scouting analysis also credits Gray with a 17.2% tackle rate and no missed tackles in its referenced sample. The alignment data shows Barton with 242 box snaps, 64 slot snaps and three pressures. Gray has accumulated 110 box snaps, 11 slot snaps and no pressures.
Barton has handled more varied assignments over the season, but Gray's tackle efficiency makes him an intriguing candidate for additional opportunities. There has also been speculation identifying Barton as a potential trade candidate. That doesn't establish that Tennessee is actively shopping him, but any transaction involving Barton could create a much larger opportunity for Gray.
IDP takeaway: Hill remains an automatic starter. Barton carries additional uncertainty following his Week 6 reduction, while Gray is an intriguing speculative waiver-wire addition, especially in dynasty leagues. As Gorilla Monsoon might say, the pendulum could be starting to swing.
Washington Commanders
Washington also played Monday night, so we're still waiting on the official defensive snap counts. Fortunately, the box score gives us one clear takeaway: Sonny Styles continues to make a strong impression. Styles led Washington with 13 combined tackles, including seven solo stops, against San Francisco. Entering the game, the rookie had recorded 33 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, three passes defended, one interception and one forced fumble through five games.
Add Monday's performance, and Styles now has 46 combined tackles through six games. That's an encouraging start for a young linebacker whose production is becoming increasingly difficult for IDP managers to ignore. The tackle volume is especially appealing, and Styles has already demonstrated the ability to contribute beyond ordinary tackles. He's worth rostering in deeper redraft leagues and remains an intriguing dynasty asset.
Outside of Styles, there's not much here that changes my linebacker outlook. Frankie Luvu recorded eight combined tackles, but Washington didn't produce another off-ball linebacker performance that demands a major waiver-wire discussion. So, congratulations to Sonny Styles for giving us something worth discussing. Everyone else can wait for the snap counts.
Week 7 Linebacker Watch List
Five linebacker situations deserve particular attention heading into Week 7.
Atlanta: Josh Woods and Harold Perkins Jr. could benefit from injuries to Kendal Daniels and Divine Deablo. Woods offers potential short-term volume, while Perkins brings the higher ceiling.
Chicago: D'Marco Jackson has established a substantial role while T.J. Edwards remains sidelined. Monitor Edwards' availability before trusting Jackson long term.
Dallas: Jaishawn Barham and Shemar James both received substantial playing time in Week 6. James is particularly interesting after nearly doubling his defensive participation.
Philadelphia: Jihaad Campbell's declining workload and the rotation with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. create significant uncertainty. Zack Baun remains the safest option.
Tennessee: Cedric Gray's tackle efficiency and Cody Barton's reduced Week 6 participation make this a situation worth monitoring closely.
Other encouraging developments include Payton Wilson's increasing workload, Josiah Trotter's arrival at every-down status and Henry To'oTo'o's return to a full-time role in Houston.
The waiver-wire names I'm watching most closely are Henry To'oTo'o, D'Marco Jackson, Harold Perkins Jr., Josh Woods, Shemar James and Cedric Gray, depending on league depth and injury developments.
Week 7 Linebacker Waiver Wire: Who's Worth Adding?
Six weeks into the season, the linebacker waiver wire is starting to look like a defensive coordinator's lost-and-found department. Some players have finally earned roles, others are benefiting from injuries and a few are waiting for the coaching staff to realize they might actually be better than the guys playing ahead of them.
Here are the linebackers I'm targeting heading into Week 7, with an emphasis on playing time, tackle opportunities and potential changes in defensive responsibilities.
1. Henry To'oTo'o, Houston Texans
To'oTo'o is my preferred immediate waiver-wire target. He returned in Week 6 and played 70 of 71 defensive snaps, recording six tackles, including a tackle for loss. His return pushed Jake Hansen from a near-every-down role to just 51% of the defensive snaps. That's a significant change. Fantasy managers shouldn't ignore this. If To'oTo'o is available, he offers one of the clearest paths to immediate linebacker production. He's a strong LB3 candidate and a useful replacement during the bye weeks.
2. Jaishawn Barham, Dallas Cowboys
Barham has quietly established himself as one of Dallas' most dependable young linebackers, playing approximately 80% of the defensive snaps in consecutive weeks. Through six games, he has accumulated 32 combined tackles, four tackles for loss and one forced fumble. His 255 box snaps and four pressures also support his substantial defensive involvement. Barham offers a more established recent workload than Shemar James, making him my preferred Dallas linebacker for tackle-heavy formats. He's worth adding in deeper leagues if fantasy managers haven't already caught on.
3. Harold Perkins Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Perkins might have the highest upside of anyone on this list. Following injuries to Kendal Daniels and Divine Deablo, Perkins played 29 of Atlanta's 33 defensive snaps in the second half of Week 6, an 88% participation rate. His overall Week 6 workload reached 53%, and his season-to-date totals include 187 box snaps, three pressures, 19 combined tackles and one sack. The athleticism and coverage ability are intriguing. The missing ingredient has been consistent playing time. If Atlanta's injuries create an expanded role, Perkins could become considerably more valuable. He's my favorite upside stash, particularly in dynasty leagues.
4. D'Marco Jackson, Chicago Bears
Jackson continues to benefit from T.J. Edwards' absence, playing 78.7% of the defensive snaps in Week 5 and 84% in Week 6. He's also handled the green-dot communication responsibilities while Edwards has been unavailable. The bad news? Jackson managed only one tackle on 46 defensive snaps in Week 6. That's the kind of stat line that makes fantasy managers check whether the scoring system is working. However, the workload remains encouraging. Jackson is a reasonable short-term LB3/LB4 option if Edwards misses additional time. His long-term value becomes considerably less certain once Edwards returns.
5. Josh Woods, Atlanta Falcons
Woods is the less exciting but potentially more predictable Atlanta waiver-wire option. After Kendal Daniels exited in Week 6, Woods assumed defensive communication duties and played every defensive snap in the second half. He finished with four tackles, including three after halftime. Woods doesn't offer the same athletic upside as Perkins, and his season-to-date alignment totals include only 54 box snaps and no pressures. But if Atlanta gives him an every-down role and the green dot, he could become a useful tackle-volume streamer. Sometimes the best waiver-wire linebacker isn't the most talented player. It's the guy the defensive coordinator refuses to take off the field.
6. Shemar James, Dallas Cowboys
James is one of my favorite deeper-league speculative additions. His defensive participation increased from 41.7% in Week 5 to 79% in Week 6, nearly doubling his workload. James has accumulated 160 box snaps this season, although he has yet to record a pressure in the supplied alignment data. Barham remains the preferred Dallas option because of his more established role and production, but James could become fantasy-relevant if his Week 6 workload continues. Monitor Dee Winters' health before assuming James has permanently secured the role.
7. Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans
Gray is a speculative addition, assuming Tennessee makes a change at linebacker. Cody Barton's defensive participation dropped from 97% in Week 5 to 53% in Week 6, while Gray maintained a rotational workload around 46%. Through five games, Gray has accumulated 25 combined tackles, only four fewer than Barton's 29 tackles in six games. The supplied scouting analysis also credits Gray with a 17.2% tackle rate and no missed tackles in its referenced sample. Gray hasn't overtaken Barton, so this isn't a recommendation to immediately start him. However, his efficiency makes him an intriguing stash if Tennessee expands his responsibilities. He's a better bench investment than a desperate Week 7 starter.
8. Tyrice Knight, Seattle Seahawks
Knight is an injury-dependent streaming option worth monitoring after reportedly playing 86% of Seattle's defensive snaps and recording eight tackles while Drake Thomas was unavailable with an ankle injury. If Thomas remains sidelined, Knight could offer immediate tackle-volume value. If Thomas returns to his normal workload, Knight's appeal becomes much more limited. Check Seattle's injury report before placing a claim.
9. Isaiah McDuffie, Green Bay Packers
McDuffie is a deeper-league name worth keeping on the radar. The latest available scouting analysis credits him with a 14.7% tackle rate, compared with 5.3% for Ty'Ron Hopper. That efficiency is encouraging, but McDuffie's defensive workload remains the question. He's not someone I'd prioritize over the linebackers with established every-down opportunities. However, managers in larger IDP leagues should monitor whether Green Bay begins giving him additional snaps.
10. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Philadelphia Eagles
Trotter is a speculative addition rather than an immediate starter. He played 35% of Philadelphia's defensive snaps in Week 6 while Jihaad Campbell's participation fell to 61%. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has reportedly used a series-based rotation between the two linebackers. Trotter has accumulated 113 box snaps and one pressure in the supplied season-to-date alignment data. Until he receives a substantially larger workload, Trotter is better suited for dynasty benches and very deep IDP leagues.
Final Thoughts: Waivers, Stashes and Late-Round Streams
The biggest linebacker developments heading into Week 7 are happening in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia and Tennessee. Atlanta could create opportunities for Josh Woods and Harold Perkins Jr. Chicago's D'Marco Jackson remains relevant while T.J. Edwards is sidelined. Dallas has two young linebackers earning meaningful playing time, while Philadelphia continues rotating Jihaad Campbell and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. In Tennessee, Cedric Gray remains a player worth watching if Cody Barton's workload continues to decline.
For fantasy managers who need an immediate starter, Henry To'oTo'o is my preferred target. Jaishawn Barham offers an encouraging tackle-volume profile, while Harold Perkins Jr. brings the most intriguing upside if Atlanta's injuries create a larger role. If you're looking for a longer-term stash, Shemar James and Cedric Gray are two names I'd consider before the rest of your league notices a meaningful snap-count change.
Remember, fantasy points tell us what happened. Snap counts help us determine whether it's likely to happen again. And if your linebacker is playing only 35% of the snaps, he'd better be making tackles from the sideline.
This article originally appeared on The Huddle: Week 6 Linebacker Usage and Review