A handcuff is the insurance policy for the star running back on your fantasy team. Usually, but not always,  it is the player that is #2 on teams depth chart. Owning your running back’s handcuff has been the thing “to do” (Or not todo) in fantasy football as fantasy football as evolved over the years. Perhaps now, it could be seen as a wiser investment to take the “handcuff” of someone else’s top running back.  Injuries are evident. It’s just that type of game. However, not everyone is a believer in owning the back-up for their star player, as they see it as a wasted roster spot. Sure, that could very well be the case and I could see that point to a degree as well. Hey look, can you end up drafting 5 starting running backs and not worry about if someone gets hurt? Sure you can, but now you’re faced with the situation where either;

1) Other owners in need of a running back are going to be approaching you about a trade, and before you know it, your depth at the position is down to 3.

2) Are you able to start all 5 of those guys? Probably not (obviously all leagues vary in roster size and lineups settings). So now you’re faced with the brutal task of deciding who to play on a weekly basis. The usual Sunday morning fantasy headache. You’ll check one site’s projections and against another’s. You’ll listen to the radio, tweet the “experts”, etc. and eventually come up with multiple opinions and end up going with the wrong one. You know I’m right. We’ve all been there.

I believe that last roster spot should go to the handcuff of your #1 running back. Not a 2nd Defense and DEFINITELY not a 2nd kicker! If you can only start 3 wide receivers, there is no need to carry 9 of them. With that said, not every starting running back is worth carrying their handcuff, and not every back-up is worth owning as a handcuff. In many cases, we have never seen some of these backups really play the game of football on the NFL level. In other cases, the teams’ depth chart doesn’t always coincide with their “plans” if something happens to the star. The purpose of this article isn’t just to tell you who the handcuff is for every starter.

**Please note: My “When to draft” column of the table, may not always coincide with the handcuff ranking. The rankings of the handcuff are determined by: 1) Certainty. 2) Confidence in production. 3) Injury risk in starter. 4) Team offense. Some handcuffs may be ranked higher, but you could get at a later round. Current ADP is also factored into it.   

** This list will be updated as new names emerge and injuries happen throughout training camp, preseason and the regular season.

 

Handcuffs may or may not represent depth charts. For a complete look at the Fantasy Football Depth Charts  click here

[Updated 7/21/21]    2021 RB Handcuffs(7/21/21)- PDF may not reflect the most current handcuffs listed below