One of the most important roles on the field is the player with the “Green Dot” on their helmet because they call the plays for the defense. This article will call out those players, since they will get the most opportunity to make a play on the field.
You might be new to IDP, or individual defensive player fantasy football, and encountering the term “Green Dot Linebacker” for the first time. No worries, that’s exactly why IDP+ is here! The Green Dot Linebacker refers to the defensive player who wears a helmet equipped with a headset, allowing them to communicate directly with the coaches while on the field. Unlike college football, where players might have to run to the sidelines, use hand signals, or even rely on large cards with symbols to get play calls, the NFL handles this through one player with a headset who can relay the plays to the rest of the defense in the huddle.
So, why does this matter? The NFL, despite its resources, only outfits one helmet per side of the ball with this communication device. On offense, it’s always the quarterback who wears it, entering the huddle to call plays after receiving them from the staff. On defense, this headset is typically given to the player who will stay on the field the longest—usually a linebacker and often the team’s most trusted player. In the NFL, being available equals opportunity, and the player who stays on the field and calls the plays is in the best position to consistently rack up stats for your fantasy football team!
Thanks for reading, you can follow me on X at @NateCheat and reach out to me in the IDP+ Discord for any questions!
