Top-20 Handcuffs
As the NFL has "graduated" to a committee-based backfield attack the past few seasons, handcuffing a starting running back to his backup has become a popular strategy. Covering your backside is standard operating procedure. In which case, there are four guidelines to keep in mind while considering handcuffs:
Does the backup have a clear path to a high volume of touches and weekly fantasy value?
What is the backup's talent level and track record?
What is the starter's injury history? How is his job security?
How good is the offense?
Before we start, let me quickly address the non-cuffs. Reggie Bush, Jonathan Stewart, Felix Jones and LenDale White will all get snatched up before the Pierre Thomas, DeAngelo Williams, Marion Barber and Chris Johnson owners have a chance to grab them as backups. As such, they don't qualify for this list. On to the handcuffs.
Tier One
1. Donald Brown, Colts – A borderline "non-cuff," since Joseph Addai shouldn't be going as a RB2 in the first place. By the time preseason ends, his ADP may rise ahead of Addai's.
2. Chester Taylor, Vikings – A potential three-down back, Taylor immediately becomes a strong RB2 should Adrian Peterson go down with an injury.
3. LeSean McCoy, Eagles – Considering Brian Westbrook's injury history, McCoy is a necessity rather than a luxury for Westbrook owners. If Westbrook misses time, the promising second-rounder fills his role in the offense.
4. Darren Sproles, Chargers – Sproles averaged 123 combined yards and close to two touchdowns per game in Week 17 and the two playoff games last year while LT2 was sidelined.
5. Fred Jackson, Bills – Jackson will have RB2 value the first three weeks of the season with Marshawn Lynch suspended. He'll be fine insurance the rest of the way while flirting with flex value most weeks.
Tier Two
6. Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants – Similar to Sproles in that his explosiveness makes him valuable with limited touches even if he splits time with Danny Ware. Brandon Jacobs is never a great bet to play 16 games.
7. Leon Washington / Shonn Greene, Jets – You can make an argument for Washington to be drafted ahead of Thomas Jones in most leagues. His role is expected to increase regardless of Jones' health, though Greene looms as a vulture.
8. Jerious Norwood, Falcons – Falcons coaches don't trust him to run inside, so he'd likely split carries with Jason Snelling if Michael Turner is sidelined. With his effectiveness, though, 12-15 touches are plenty for fantasy value.
9. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers – We know that Willie Parker will go down at some point, and Mendenhall was a first-round NFL talent. He still has a shot at goal-line carries in the meantime.
10. Tashard Choice, Cowboys – Felix Jones has stand-alone value with a healthy Marion Barber, but Choice is the one who stands to benefit the most from an MBIII injury. Last December's production against a string of brutal defenses was no joke.
11. Ladell Betts, Redskins – With 325+ carries in four out of the past five years, a sieve-like offensive line and a series of nagging aches and pains, Clinton Portis is flashing "injury-risk" like a neon sign. Betts is aging, but he's already proven as a handcuff.
12. Ricky Williams, Dolphins – He's in phenomenal shape, but the 32-year-old has lost a step. He's no longer a threat to break a big run, and he has trouble turning the corner in the passing game.
13. Kevin Jones, Bears – Now 18 months removed from ACL surgery, Jones has reportedly regained his explosiveness and is in line for a bigger role this season. If something should happen to Matt Forte, Jones would see the bulk of the backfield work.
14. Glen Coffee, 49ers – Frank Gore owners have previously been left holding the bag with DeShaun Foster, Michael Robinson and Thomas Clayton, but the Niners finally picked up a solid handcuff in the rookie from Alabama.
15. Earnest Graham, Buccaneers – The Bucs haven't announced a backfield pecking order, but Derrick Ward's talent edge will win out. Graham may sub in as the short-yardage/goal-line back and would see a heavy workload in the event of a Ward injury.
Tier Three
16. Willis McGahee / Le'Ron McClain, Ravens – Three-headed monsters are largely handcuff killers. McGahee's touches would rise in the event of a Ray Rice injury, but McClain's touchdown drain would limit the fantasy upside.
17. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs – Already closing in on flex value as the passing-down back, Charles would see a hefty spike in value with an LJ injury. His slight frame may leave an opening for Jackie Battle as a touchdown vulture.
18. Tim Hightower, Cardinals – If he seems a bit low on this list it's because of his track record. Hightower's late season starting audition ended in disaster as he managed to top 35 rushing yards just once in seven games. Even worse, he nearly took the Cardinals' season down with him.
19. Michael Bush, Raiders – Bush has the skills and the talent to carry the load, but his path to 15+ touches per game is blocked not only by Darren McFadden but also Justin Fargas. He may need two injuries to earn weekly value.
20. Jerome Harrison, Browns – While the new coaching staff ostensibly appreciates his talent more than old staff, Harrison remains more change of pace back than potential workhorse. Beware of a timeshare with James Davis in a lackluster offense.
As the NFL has "graduated" to a committee-based backfield attack the past few seasons, handcuffing a starting running back to his backup has become a popular strategy. Covering your backside is standard operating procedure. In which case, there are four guidelines to keep in mind while considering handcuffs:
Does the backup have a clear path to a high volume of touches and weekly fantasy value?
What is the backup's talent level and track record?
What is the starter's injury history? How is his job security?
How good is the offense?
Before we start, let me quickly address the non-cuffs. Reggie Bush, Jonathan Stewart, Felix Jones and LenDale White will all get snatched up before the Pierre Thomas, DeAngelo Williams, Marion Barber and Chris Johnson owners have a chance to grab them as backups. As such, they don't qualify for this list. On to the handcuffs.
Tier One
1. Donald Brown, Colts – A borderline "non-cuff," since Joseph Addai shouldn't be going as a RB2 in the first place. By the time preseason ends, his ADP may rise ahead of Addai's.
2. Chester Taylor, Vikings – A potential three-down back, Taylor immediately becomes a strong RB2 should Adrian Peterson go down with an injury.
3. LeSean McCoy, Eagles – Considering Brian Westbrook's injury history, McCoy is a necessity rather than a luxury for Westbrook owners. If Westbrook misses time, the promising second-rounder fills his role in the offense.
4. Darren Sproles, Chargers – Sproles averaged 123 combined yards and close to two touchdowns per game in Week 17 and the two playoff games last year while LT2 was sidelined.
5. Fred Jackson, Bills – Jackson will have RB2 value the first three weeks of the season with Marshawn Lynch suspended. He'll be fine insurance the rest of the way while flirting with flex value most weeks.
Tier Two
6. Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants – Similar to Sproles in that his explosiveness makes him valuable with limited touches even if he splits time with Danny Ware. Brandon Jacobs is never a great bet to play 16 games.
7. Leon Washington / Shonn Greene, Jets – You can make an argument for Washington to be drafted ahead of Thomas Jones in most leagues. His role is expected to increase regardless of Jones' health, though Greene looms as a vulture.
8. Jerious Norwood, Falcons – Falcons coaches don't trust him to run inside, so he'd likely split carries with Jason Snelling if Michael Turner is sidelined. With his effectiveness, though, 12-15 touches are plenty for fantasy value.
9. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers – We know that Willie Parker will go down at some point, and Mendenhall was a first-round NFL talent. He still has a shot at goal-line carries in the meantime.
10. Tashard Choice, Cowboys – Felix Jones has stand-alone value with a healthy Marion Barber, but Choice is the one who stands to benefit the most from an MBIII injury. Last December's production against a string of brutal defenses was no joke.
11. Ladell Betts, Redskins – With 325+ carries in four out of the past five years, a sieve-like offensive line and a series of nagging aches and pains, Clinton Portis is flashing "injury-risk" like a neon sign. Betts is aging, but he's already proven as a handcuff.
12. Ricky Williams, Dolphins – He's in phenomenal shape, but the 32-year-old has lost a step. He's no longer a threat to break a big run, and he has trouble turning the corner in the passing game.
13. Kevin Jones, Bears – Now 18 months removed from ACL surgery, Jones has reportedly regained his explosiveness and is in line for a bigger role this season. If something should happen to Matt Forte, Jones would see the bulk of the backfield work.
14. Glen Coffee, 49ers – Frank Gore owners have previously been left holding the bag with DeShaun Foster, Michael Robinson and Thomas Clayton, but the Niners finally picked up a solid handcuff in the rookie from Alabama.
15. Earnest Graham, Buccaneers – The Bucs haven't announced a backfield pecking order, but Derrick Ward's talent edge will win out. Graham may sub in as the short-yardage/goal-line back and would see a heavy workload in the event of a Ward injury.
Tier Three
16. Willis McGahee / Le'Ron McClain, Ravens – Three-headed monsters are largely handcuff killers. McGahee's touches would rise in the event of a Ray Rice injury, but McClain's touchdown drain would limit the fantasy upside.
17. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs – Already closing in on flex value as the passing-down back, Charles would see a hefty spike in value with an LJ injury. His slight frame may leave an opening for Jackie Battle as a touchdown vulture.
18. Tim Hightower, Cardinals – If he seems a bit low on this list it's because of his track record. Hightower's late season starting audition ended in disaster as he managed to top 35 rushing yards just once in seven games. Even worse, he nearly took the Cardinals' season down with him.
19. Michael Bush, Raiders – Bush has the skills and the talent to carry the load, but his path to 15+ touches per game is blocked not only by Darren McFadden but also Justin Fargas. He may need two injuries to earn weekly value.
20. Jerome Harrison, Browns – While the new coaching staff ostensibly appreciates his talent more than old staff, Harrison remains more change of pace back than potential workhorse. Beware of a timeshare with James Davis in a lackluster offense.
