Arizona Cardinals
After a season to get acclimated with his new squad, I fully expect Kyzir White to take the reigns and wear the green dot for the Cardinals defense all season. White was delegated green dot duties early on into the season last year, where he excelled. No one has entered the Cardinals linebacker room this offseason that possesses more natural abilities as a signal-caller. This one is White's honor to lose.
Atlanta Falcons
Troy Andersen was expected to be the primary green dot wearer in 2023, but the promising sophmore's season was quickly derailed by injuries. Given that Andersen started the season with the green dot before missing time, he is the prime candidate to wear it again to open the 2024 campaign if healthy. However - Atlanta's situation is one of the more difficult to predict given the admirable job Nate Landman did in filling in for Andersen alongside Kaden Elliss. Is there a situation where Andersen's role is diminished? One has to consider the emergence of Landman and Atlanta's decision to draft rookie JD Bertrand at pick 143. It's possible. However, we are going to trust that the atheltic gifts of Andersen will come to fruition after an offseason to get healthy and he will continue to operate at the center of the Falcons defense. Andersen is a great buy-low entering the 2024 season for dynasty IDP leagues.
Cleveland Browns
Following the departure of Anthony Walker in free-agency, the status of the Browns' green dot is up in the air. There are two primary options here. The Browns could opt to award talented linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah with the green dot, or delegate those duties to recently signed veteran linebacker, Jordan Hicks. I'm going to go with the latter here. I know that this may be a slightly unpolpular choice given the emergence of JOK. Hicks, however, has worn the green dot at numerous times throughout his career and did so with the Vikings last season while he was healthy. Regardless of whether he is relaying plays from the sideline or not, JOK is a top LB option in IDP leagues going into next season. If Hicks struggles early on given his age, look for the Browns to turn to the younger JOK to take over the green dot.
Las Vegas Raiders
It's well documented at this point that Robert Spillane is head coach Antonio Pierce's guy. While Divine Deablo is also in the mix and was the favorite to relay plays going into last season, it should be Spillane wearing the green dot to start the season after a true breakout year in 2024. Spillane had the green dot for the majority of 2023, and that shouldn't change going into 2024.
Minnesota Vikings
One of my favorite buys in dynasty IDP leagues this offseason, undrafted sophomore Ivan Pace Jr. should be wearing the green dot going into the 2024 season. Yes, I know - the Vikings signed Blake Cashman to add to their linebacker corps. However, Pace thrived when he was thrust into the green dot role following injuries to Jordan Hicks last season. Given his stellar play upon commanding the defense and validation from head coach Kevin O'Connell, the green dot is Pace's to lose.
Philadelphia Eagles
Will it be newly-signed linebacker Devin White or third-year player out of Georgia, Nakobe Dean, wearing the green dot for the Eagles? That is the ultimate question here. Given that Dean was poised to take over communication duties prior to an injury-marred 2023 season, he should still be the man going forward. White has plenty of experience wearing the green dot in Tampa alongside Lavonte David, but his play has declined over the last few seasons. So much so that it got to the point where the former 2019 5th overall pick could only get a 1-year deal with the Eagles in free-agency. With that in mind, the Eagles may want to take some of the pressure off White and allow his physical traits to thrive. Dean is the more cerebral player, evident by his time commanding Georgia's defense. However, it's up to him to remain healthy. Another string of injuries could lead to White wearing the green dot for the Eagles in 2024. Keep an eye on this situation.
