Handcuff Report

We are approaching the biggest fantasy draft weekends of season, so it is important to stay up to date with each team’s handcuff in the event you draft the starting running back. I get it, not every team has a featured back, and not everyone likes to follow the handcuff strategy. Those that don’t, are usually the ones throwing a temper tantrum when their starting running back gets hurt, and they miss out on the new lead runner during the waiver wire period. We break down each team’s backfield and discuss the player that we would want to have (if any) if something were to happen to the featured runner. Be sure to check out our Running Back Handcuffs page download a copy of the updated spreadsheet.

“Handcuffs” to stay away from

Cameron Artis-Payne (CAR): 29 Years old. He’s an average runner and hasn’t done much in four NFL Seasons. Jordan Scarlett is a name to watch if something happened to Christian McCaffery, but the Panthers can go in a few different directions, plus nobody is going replicate the productions from CMC. Jordan Scarlett could also sneak some goal-line looks, but isn’t worth drafting as CMC handcuff.

Ronald Jones (TB): I was personally high on Ronald Jones entering the 2018 draft, but apparently I missed on that one. The Bucs backfield isn’t set, and it could be either Peyton Barber or Jones for the starting job. Whoever the starter is, the other is the handcuff, but is average at best. I would stay away from both right now, and possibly look for them to add someone at some point. A name to watch in this mix is Dare Ogunbowale, who has had a good camp. This situation reminds me of when Alfred Morris snuck into a prominent role for Washington back in 2012.

Damien Harris (NE): Harris is a player that I really like, I just don’t like his team. The Patriots running backs have always been a guessing game, so who knows which direction they go if Michel misses any time.

Wayne Gallman (NYG): If Barkley goes down, the Giants are in even more trouble than they already are. Gallman won’t sniff the Barkley production.

Jordan Wilkins (IND): Wilkins will certainly warrant a top waiver wire pickup if something happens to Mack, but he isn’t worth drafting as a Mack owner. We still need to see what happens with Wilkins, as he has missed some camp time with a back injury. Nyheim Hines will also have a larger role as well, but his usage is going to be primarily in passing situations. In addition to those two players, there is not a running back currently on their roster worth drafting as the Mack handcuff.

Frank Gore (BUF) There are still rumors swirling that the Bills can get rid of McCoy before the season (Calling Tampa Bay) and even if they do, the only running back I wouldn’t mind having on my roster is David Singletary. At some point, Gore must look like his age…right?

Bilal Powell (NYJ): Ty Montgomery has drawn high praise this camp, and he figures to be involved even with Le’Veon Bell on the field. Based on the usage in camp and through the first couple of preseason games, I would assume that Monty would also be the primary ball carrier if there was an injury to Bell, Powell should be added off the wire if that were to happen but left off your draft boards.

Doug Martin (OAK): Martin filled in nicely last season for Oakland, but with Jalen Richard and DeaAndre Washington in tow, he most likely won’t be in line for a featured back role in that offense.

Dontrell Hilliard (CLE): Don’t use a draft pick to handcuff Nick Chubb with Dontrell Hilliard. His role won’t last through the season with Kareem Hunt

Dontrell Hilliard (Photo: Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports)

coming back in week 10, and he won’t be used in the same capacity as Chubb if he’s called upon for that role. Speaking of Kareem Hunt…If you have a large number bench spots than go ahead and use one on Hunt if he slips in your draft..DO NOT..I REPEAT, DO NOT, draft him at his current 8^th round ADP.

Murky situations: Proceed with Caution

Ito Smith (ATL): The thought was that Smith would be the Tevin Coleman in the Falcons offense now that Coleman is with San Francisco, but Brian Hill and /or Quadree Olison may have other plans down the road. As of now, Smith could be drafted some with stand-alone value, but may not necessarily be the lead back if Freeman misses time.

Kenyan Drake (MIA): I’m listing Drake on here as the handcuff to Kalen Ballage in part because of:

1. Drake is currently injured and Ballage is taking all the first team reps.
2. We really don’t know how this backfield is going to unfold once the season gets underway and Drake is healthy
3. The Miami Dolphins aren’t very good and there might not be good fantasy relevant production from this backfield anyway.

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Tony Pollard (DAL): If we listen and believe everything, we’re hearing coming out of Dallas camp, Pollard is going to be a hall-of-famer. Obviously, that’s exaggerating, but if you’ve been following along, you know what I mean. For a while now, I was in the belief that if Zeke did miss games, this backfield would be more as a committee with Alfred Morris / Mike Webber handling early down work, and Pollard the primary passing down back. I may be changing my mind though. There are certainly enough people, both inside and outside the Cowboys organization that truly believe Pollard can, and will, handle 3-down work in the Zeke absence. While he is currently in the “murky Situations” section, I am ok drafting him at his current ADP if I draft Zeke…You even may want to snag him if you don’t draft Elliot.

Royce Freeman / Phillip Lindsay (DEN): I must list both on here because we honestly don’t know what is going on. We know Lindsay is going to be the passing-down back, but even though he was the primary guy last season, that doesn’t mean he will be again. The Broncos rode the “hot hand” last season and was the right thing to do. Lindsay will get his share of carries, but he will also share some of his receptions with recently signed Theo Riddick. This backfield is going to be one of those fantasy headaches, and those drafting Lindsay at his current ADP, may end up being disappointed.

Adrian Peterson (WAS): Peterson could end up leading the Washington running backs, but I would really like to see Derius Guice healthy and on the field. If I end up with Guice, I will forgo drafting 34-year-old Peterson, and looking to snag Chris Thompson even later in the draft, who will also have his own stand-alone value as the passing down specialist.

Committee Backfield- Not Necessarily Handcuffs

These players will have a larger role if injury but will also present stand-alone value.

Austin Ekeler / Justin Jackson (LAC): This is obviously with assumption that Melvin Gordon’s hold-out lasts into the season. Both guys will be involved and share the load, as they have both been taking first-team reps in camp. Ekeler, will have more value in PPR formats as the primary passing down back. You can get Jackson at the back-end of your draft, while Ekeler is going to cost you an 8^th round selection. I can tell you right now, the difference in ADP will not reflect the difference in production between the two.

Matt Breida (SF): I already discussed Matt Breida and his role in this offense here. He is not a handcuff to Tevin Coleman and will be splitting the opportunities.

Jordan Howard (PHI): I was torn as to where to put this backfield on the list. I’m a Miles Sanders guy, and believe not only is he the best back on the Eagles team, but also that he will emerge in the featured role. I understand the Eagles traded for Howard, but 1) that was before the draft, and teams never know how the draft plays out, and 2) the conditional 6^th round pick (potentially 5^th) doesn’t hold the same capital as the 2^nd round pick used on Sanders.

Latavius Murray (NO): I should also include Devine Ozigbo on here since there have been some small whispers that Ozigbo’s emergence could actually lead to the release of Latavius Murray. Whomever is the #2 behind Kamara (we’ll assume it’s Murray at this point) is going to have a similar workload as the one Mark Ingram had in the past. Make no mistake about it, this isn’t a “RBBC” and Kamara is by far the back you want, but last season, Ingram held his own and was able to finish just outside RB2 territory. The same can be expected from Murray in 2019.

Carlos Hyde/ Darwin Thompson (KC): I haven’t been shy regarding my thoughts on Damien Williams. There has also been talk about Carlos Hyde not

Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images

even making the 53 man roster. Thompson has garnered praise from coaches throughout training camp, including after his big preseason game #2, a game in which Damien Williams was out there primarily with the first-team offense. Thompson is the back I want whether I draft Damien Williams or not, and I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if Thompson leads this backfield in touches and fantasy production.

*On a side Note: If Carlos Hyde does not make the Chiefs 53 man roster, Tampa Bay is a logical landing spot, and he could actually be the lead back there if that is the case.

The Real Handcuffs

13. Duke Johnson (HOU): Duke is the handcuff to Lamar Miller, but he will also have some stand-alone value on his own, and is a decent PPR sleeper pick.

12. Jamaal Williams (GB): Not a fan of Jamaal Williams, but he is the guy to get if you draft Aaron Jones. Dexter Williams is an intriguing option, but is currently fourth on the teams depth chart. If there is an injury to Jones or J. Williams, Deter is someone worth using some FAAB on if anything happens to Jones.

11. C.J. Anderson (DET): The clear “cuff” to Johnson, but is also someone that can see his share of goal-line carries. Touchdown vulture?

10. Justice Hill (BAL): I know Gus Edwards is listed as the number 2 RB, and both he and Kenneth Dixon played ahead of Hill in the 2^nd preseason game. However, I’m a believer in talent, and Hill is more talented than both of them. Even with Edwards and Dixon there, I’m handcuffing Ingram with Justice Hill.

9. Ryquell Armstead (JAC): In similar situation to that of Justice Hill, Armstead isn’t the #2 RB on the depth chart, but trust me, Alfred Blue is NOT going to be the guy if Fournette misses time.

8. Rashaad Penny (SEA): I’m ready to give the starting role to Chris Carson, and Penny’s value is going to be primarily as the handcuff at this point.

7.Dion Lewis (TEN): Lewis will get some work in the passing game, but they are finally ready to ride on Henry’s back.

6.Mike Davis (CHI): There are still people that think Mike Davis will be the lead back, or at least will be equally involved as David Montgomery. They’re wrong.

5. Chase Edmunds (ARI): Could be a high-end RB2 if David Johnson is out.

4. Giovani Bernard (CIN): The time is gone when Bernard was a fantasy asset by himself. He is now the guy you want as a Mixon owner, and could border on back-end RB1 territory with an injury.

3. Darrell Henderson (LAR): Malcolm Brown is getting more love lately, and I do agree with those that say Henderson is being drafted to high. Perhaps I wouldn’t draft him at his current ADP, but he is definitely the one I want if I’m a Gurley owner. If you miss on Henderson, grabbing Brown late is a good idea.

2. Jaylen Samuels (PIT): Will be an RB1 if James Conner isn’t on the field.

Alexander Mattison (MIN): Mattison is my top handcuff because of talent, offensive system, and Dalvin Cook hasn’t stayed healthy in the NFL.