Green Dot Domination: The Defensive Play-Callers to Watch in the 2025 NFL Season

In the high-stakes chess match that is NFL football, the defensive coordinator is the grandmaster, orchestrating a complex symphony of blitzes, coverages, and adjustments designed to thwart the opposition’s every move. But on the field, it’s the player wearing the “green dot” – the designated communicator with the coaching staff – who translates that strategic vision into split-second decisions that can alter the course of a game. As we gear up for the 2025 season, several defensive play-callers stand out as potential game-changers, poised to lead their units to new heights.

The Green Dot Evolution

The “green dot” isn’t just a sticker on a helmet; it’s a symbol of trust, intelligence, and leadership. This player, typically a linebacker or safety, is responsible for relaying play calls from the sideline, making pre-snap adjustments based on the offensive formation, and ensuring that all 11 defenders are on the same page. In today’s NFL, where offenses are more complex and fast-paced than ever, the ability to process information quickly and communicate effectively is paramount.

Names to Know in 2025

Several players are stepping into or solidifying their roles as defensive play-callers this season, each bringing a unique blend of experience and talent to the table.

Nate Landman (Los Angeles Rams): Landman has been operating as a starting linebacker at Rams camp this summer and has been wearing the green dot for the Rams as the team’s defensive play caller, so he appears locked into a starting gig. Landman signed a one-year deal with the Rams this offseason after making 23 starts for the Falcons over the previous two seasons. He recorded 191 tackles (105 solo), including 2.0 sacks, six forced fumbles and four pass breakups from 2023-24 with Atlanta.
Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens): The green dot in Baltimore is as clear as a Swarovski crystal. Roquan Smith is the leader of the defense and will wear the dot. Smith has been about as dependable of an IDP producer as you can find. He has three straight seasons of 155+ tackles and has logged over 1,000 snaps in four straight seasons.
Kaden Elliss (Atlanta Falcons): The presumption from most in IDP circles was that, following his LB3 finish in The Godfather’s Default IDP Scoring last year, veteran Kaden Elliss would once again be Atlanta’s green dot LB in 2025.
Mack Wilson Sr. (Arizona Cardinals): Mack Wilson Sr. started 16 games for the Cardinals last year and played 75 percent of the defensive snaps, so he seems the early leader to assume green-dot duties for the Redbirds in 2025.
Jordan Hicks (Cleveland Browns): The Browns made rookie Carson Schwesinger the first pick of the 2025 draft’s second round to be the team’s future in the middle of the defense. It’s entirely possible that Schwesinger will open his first season as the green dot LB. But for now at least, the reasonable assumption (if such a thing exists) is that when healthy, veteran Jordan Hicks will reprise that role again.

The Coordinator’s Influence

While the green dot player executes the game plan on the field, the defensive coordinator is the architect behind the scenes. Several coordinators are poised to make a significant impact in 2025.

Robert Saleh (San Francisco 49ers): Ranking Robert Saleh this high comes with an asterisk, given that he’s returning to the defensive coordinator ranks after being fired as New York’s head coach last year. That said, he remains a top defensive mind in the NFL. Saleh’s Jets ranked inside the top five in Defense+ in both 2022 and 2023. Before then, his defenses with the San Francisco 49ers played a significant role in their development into an NFC superpower. Now back in his old role as their DC, expect an improvement from a 49ers defense that placed just 26th in Defense+ last year.
Brian Flores (Minnesota Vikings): Blitz mastermind Brian Flores has transformed the Minnesota Vikings’ defense, forming one of the NFL’s top coaching duos alongside offensive-minded head coach Kevin O’Connell. Flores played a key role in elevating both Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel to Pro Bowl seasons, each recording double-digit sacks. His expertly designed blitz packages consistently create opportunities for the defensive line. In 2024, Minnesota finished third in the league in Defense+.
Vance Joseph (Denver Broncos): The Denver Broncos led the NFL in PFSN’s Defense+ metric in 2024, finishing inside the top 10 in points allowed, yards allowed, passer rating allowed, and interceptions per game. They also led the league in sacks, a testament to the outstanding work of defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Joseph’s journey from being the Broncos’ head coach from 2017 to 2018 to being their DC has been remarkable. With the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Pat Surtain II at his disposal, he figures to be leading the charge for some time.
Jeff Ulbrich (Atlanta Falcons): For the third consecutive year, the Atlanta Falcons will enter the season with a new defensive coordinator. Head coach Raheem Morris relieved Jimmy Lake of his duties following the team’s late-season collapse, bringing in Jeff Ulbrich to call the defense in 2025.

Key Questions for 2025

As training camps progress and the regular season approaches, several key questions surround these defensive play-callers:

Can Saleh revitalize the 49ers’ defense? After a disappointing 2024 season, can Saleh bring back the aggressive, attacking style that defined his previous tenure in San Francisco?
Will Flores continue his dominance in Minnesota? Can Flores continue to generate pressure and create turnovers with his innovative blitz schemes?
Can Joseph maintain the Broncos’ defensive prowess? With Pat Surtain II leading the way, can Joseph’s unit remain among the league’s elite?
How will Ulbrich fare in Atlanta? Can Ulbrich turn the Falcons’ defense into a formidable unit and help the team contend for the NFC South title?

The answers to these questions will shape the landscape of the 2025 NFL season and determine which teams rise to the top on the defensive side of the ball. The “green dot” players and their coordinators are the key figures to watch as they strive for defensive domination.