Running Back Handcuff Report: Week 7 (2022 Fantasy Football)

There are no new major injuries to report but with bye weeks starting in earnest, I want to talk about roster construction. A lot of us will have some decisions to make in the coming weeks because we will need to add or drop players based on bye-week fillers. This week we will stick to the normal format of the article but moving forward, I will try to focus more on whether we should be holding or dropping the handcuffs for each team.

Arizona – Starter: James Conner, Handcuff: Eno Benjamin, Darrel Williams

Good process, bad result with Eno Benjamin yesterday. He got 82% of the snaps, all the passing down work, and 3-of-3 snaps from inside the 10-yard line. For that, he got 18 touches for 65 scrimmage yards and was held scoreless so what are you going to do? The Cardinals play the Saints Thursday and I wouldn’t expect Conner to be near 100% and he might even be inactive. It’s a tough matchup but if Benjamin is going to get 80% of the snaps, he’s almost a must-start.

Atlanta – Committee: Tyler Allgeier, Caleb Huntley, Avery Williams

This was a low-volume day for Atlanta from a plays-run perspective in a game that was played at a snail’s pace. Allgeier and Huntley combined for 31 carries Sunday with a roughly 50/50 split. It should be noted that both backs were in on 3-of-6 snaps inside the 10 here so Huntley is viable in positive game scripts. I think Allgeier’s role is the more bankable of the two, however, as he played on 58% of the snaps and was on the field for passing downs (despite not registering a target).

Baltimore – Starter: J.K. Dobbins, Handcuff: Justice Hill, Kenyan Drake

Dobbins had his knee tighten up Sunday which isn’t great news here. The nightmare scenario is that Dobbins is active but limited, leaving us to guess between him and Kenyan Drake. While Drake was really good Sunday (127 scrimmage yards and a touchdown), he only got 11 touches. He did play 82% of the snaps but there is some guesswork here. When you throw in Justice Hill and, potentially, Gus Edwards, I’m not sure I feel great about this backfield right now.

Buffalo – Starter: Devin Singletary, Handcuffs: James Cook

Somewhat quietly, Singletary is getting borderline bell cow usage but he’s earned the trust of Sean McDermott. He was integral to the Bills’ win on Sunday, making some key catches in big spots. He finished with 22 touches for 107 scrimmage yards on an 88% snap share. I don’t see that changing much and Zack Moss is basically an afterthought at this point leaving James Cook as the primary handcuff here. Cook is being brought along slowly but his role would grow considerably if Singletary went down. I’d hold if I had him.

Carolina – Starter: Christian McCaffrey, Handcuffs: Chuba Hubbard, D’Onta Foreman

Can you imagine what CMC would do in a competent offense? The Panthers had 203 yards of offense on Sunday, with McCaffery accounting for 158 of them. He is really good at the game of football. If he goes down, I still think I prefer Hubbard because he plays in the passing game and Foreman’s short-yardage role wouldn’t matter because the Panthers wouldn’t score any points.

Chicago – Starter: David Montgomery, Handcuff: Khalil Herbert

Montgomery got 69% of the snaps on a short week and handled 16 touches for 80 total yards. Herbert (22%) ripped off a 64-yard run which aided his night but it was Justin Fields who was the leading rusher for the Bears with 88 yards. Montgomery is clearly the lead guy here and he played on 6-of-10 snaps inside the 10 as well. Chicago is comically run-heavy so fire up Montgomery if you have him. Herbert is obviously a hold but he won’t have any type of floor/ceiling combo unless he starts.

Cincinnati – Starter: Joe Mixon, Handcuff: Samaje Perine

Mixon found paint which saved his fantasy day as the Bengals torched New Orleans through the air Sunday. He still has an elite usage rate (72% snap share) and played on 3-of-3 snaps inside the 10 so I am willing to accept that fact the Bengals went pass-heavy. I want to recommend holding Perine, although with bye weeks coming up I understand having a roster crunch. Do what you have to do there.

Cleveland – Starter: Nick Chubb, Handcuff: Kareem Hunt

Brutal day for the Browns on offense and Chubb was a victim of game flow getting just 12 carries on a 45% snap share. You can pretty much guarantee if Jacoby Brissett throws 45 passes, it will be bad for Chubb’s box score. The odd part about this game is that Hunt was virtually non-existent, which is the opposite of what we would expect. I am chalking this up to the Browns having an off day and I would expect them to get back to featuring both backs next week in a divisional game against Baltimore.

Dallas – Starter: Ezekiel Elliott, Handcuff: Tony Pollard

Zeke looked spry on Sunday, rushing for 81 yards and a touchdown on a 61% snap share. He was even getting pass-down work but I think that was more a function of them keeping him in to block more than anything. Pollard was still involved here, getting 11 carries of his own. This is a quasi-committee but this makes me wonder how Dallas will handle things down the stretch. If they are keeping Zeke on a snap share just to ride him in December, that would be a wild script for this season.

Denver – Committee: Melvin Gordon III, Mike Boone, Latavius Murray

Murray led the Broncos in touches (16), yards (66), and snap share (49%) Monday night. He and Boone split the passing game work which is bad news for Boone but I am not really sure Nathaniel Hackett knows what he is doing with this group. Gordon didn’t play in the 2nd half, which really isn’t a big surprise. His ball security issues are a thing and his 3.7 YPC is even more pedestrian than it sounds. I’m not ready to say Murray has seized control here and I’m not sure I’d want any of these guys anyway. Denver looks terrible and we have a large enough sample size to suggest things won’t get significantly better.

Detroit – Starter: D’Andre Swift, Handcuff: Jamaal Williams

Coming off a Week 6 bye, Swift should return in Week 7, relegating Williams to short-yardage duty.

Green Bay – Starter: Aaron Jones, Handcuff: A.J. Dillon

Dillon’s snap share jumped up to 48% and he had 10 carries but he is a touchdown-dependent option at this point. I am not sure you can even roll him out as anything more than a Flex option. Jones was down to a 58% snap share and couldn’t get anything going rushing for just 19 yards. He did add a 3/25 receiving line but this was a nightmarish day for Green Bay. They need to find an identity and as I have mentioned for weeks, it should start with these two. I’m just not sure the Packers are capable of figuring it out right now.

Houston – Starter: Dameon Pierce, Handcuff: Rex Burkhead

Coming off a Week 6 bye, Pierce is a high-end RB2 for the rest of the season.

Indianapolis – Starter: Jonathan Taylor, Handcuff: Deon Jackson

Taylor and Hines were both announced out on Saturday, leaving Deon Jackson to see bell cow usage. He amassed 22 touches (10 receptions) for 121 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on a 68% snap share. Jackson was a good play but the fact he went nuclear wasn’t something I saw coming. I officially made him Taylor’s handcuff here, moving Hines off the list. He should be 100% rostered.

Jacksonville – RBBC: Travis Etienne, James Robinson

This is the third straight week Etienne (46%) has out-snapped James Robinson (42%). While the margin is slim, it is still worth noting because Etienne went over 100 total yards for the second straight game. He’s averaging 8.8 yards per touch in the last two weeks as well. He has flown somewhat under the radar so if you are going to try and make a move for him, you better do it before he scores a couple of touchdowns and becomes untouchable. Robinson is still seeing the field and is getting most of the work (4-of-6 snaps) inside the 10-yard line. This situation reminds me a little of Detroit with Swift and Jamaal Williams.

Kansas City – RBBC: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon, Isiah Pacheco

CEH’s sell-high window is probably closed (at least for now) as he and McKinnon split snaps with Pacheco sprinkling in. CEH at least got nine carries but McKinnon was in for all of the passing down work which, in this offense, can be extremely valuable. The Chiefs have a tough on-paper matchup with San Francisco this week so tread lightly here.

Las Vegas Raiders – Starter: Josh Jacobs, Handcuff: Zamir White, Brandon Bolden

Coming off a Week 6 bye, we will see if Josh Jacobs can stay hot.

Los Angeles Chargers – Starter: Austin Ekeler, Handcuff: Joshua Kelley

Austin Ekeler is back to looking like a top-5 running back. His high-volume pass-catching role has returned and he’s scored six touchdowns in the last three weeks. He is a stud. Joshua Kelley suffered a knee injury Monday night, giving Sony Michel the chance to see a 30% snap share in his absence. If Kelley is out for any length of time, Michel would be a viable RB2 as the Chargers’ main ball carrier.

Los Angeles Rams – Starter: Darrell Henderson, Jr.

I guess Cam Akers is done in LA? Unless, of course, he isn’t. Hard to tell right now but I’d think the Rams would trade him if anyone would give them anything in the way of a draft pick. Henderson played 70% of the snaps and should be entrenched as the starter for the time being. Malcolm Brown played behind Henderson, getting eight touches on a 25% snap share. The back who needs to be on the radar is Kyren Williams, a rookie out of Notre Dame. He has more juice than Brown and his pass-blocking is superb. Remember the name there.

Miami – Starter: Raheem Mostert, Handcuff: Chase Edmonds

Mostert couldn’t get anything going Sunday on the ground, rushing for just 49 yards. The snap share (63%) was fine but Miami was effective through the air once Teddy Bridgewater entered the game. It is fair to wonder with Tua back if things will look better for Mostert as the passing game will be a more consistent threat. They do get a soft Pittsburgh run defense on Sunday night at home so he’s an RB2 for me this week. As for Edmonds, he continues to get scraps, totaling just four touches. He is one of the bigger disappointments so far.

Minnesota – Starter: Dalvin Cook, Handcuff: Alexander Mattison

So much for Cook’s snap share trending down. After garnering a whopping 82% of the snaps in Week 6, it looks like any lingering issues with the shoulder are gone. All that aside, Cook’s day ended up being solid but that was on the strength of a 53-yard touchdown run in the 4th Quarter. The Vikings only gained 234 yards as a team but Cook’s big play ability got him there on Sunday. As for Mattison, he is an elite handcuff despite the reduced role – hold him if you’ve got him.

New England – RBBC: Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson

Stevenson had a huge day, rushing for two touchdowns and accumulating 91 total yards on an 85% snap share. He was basically the only running back New England used in the game, living up to the hype of a potential RB1 in the process. As long as Harris is out, Stevenson is a top-10 option. Keep rolling with him while he’s featured.

New Orleans – Starter: Alvin Kamara, Handcuff: Mark Ingram

Kamara’s touch-share without Michael Thomas is one of the most bankable things in fantasy. He finished with 25 total touches (six receptions) for 124 yards. He didn’t get in the end zone which soured his day a bit but the usage is elite. Kamara is an RB1 while Dalton is running the show and Thomas is out and should be treated as such this week.

New York Giants – Starter: Saquon Barkley, Handcuff: Matt Breida

For the third week in a row: Saquon Barkley, RB1. Barkley got 25 touches and found paint, putting him in Christian McCaffrey territory for consistency. The Giants are going to feature Barkley heavily and he is a stud. Not much more to say here. Keep Breida on the radar but this offense would look decidedly different if Barkley were to get hurt.

New York Jets – Starter: Breece Hall, Handcuff: Michael Carter

The Jets rode their defense and Breece Hall to victory on Sunday. Hall was terrific once again, rushing for 116 yards and a touchdown. He played on 66% of the snaps and is a borderline RB1 right now. The only black mark here is that Michael Carter was in for 4-of-7 touches inside the 10. This is not an explosive offense so Hall needs those high-value touches in the green zone. Hopefully, the Jets get him in there because he is, by far, their best option.

Philadelphia – Starter: Miles Sanders, Handcuff: Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott

Sanders just keeps piling up touches, especially the high-value ones inside the 10. Had had 18 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown Sunday night in a tough matchup. His rushing volume and touchdown upside put him in the RB1/RB2 conversation, although his lack of work in the passing game caps his ceiling. I think if Sanders were to go down, Gainwell and Scott would split touches, making this a tough read as to who to stash. I think I prefer Gainwell of the two based on the workload so far.

Pittsburgh – Starter: Najee Harris, Handcuff: Jaylen Warren

If you can trade Najee Harris this week, do it. Highlight the touchdown reception. Highlight the 70% snap share. Highlight the fact he isn’t playing with a steel plate in his cleat. Whatever you need to do to get out from under Najee Harris, do it. He hasn’t had more than 89 scrimmage yards in any game this year and I don’t see that improving. Take advantage of the fact he scored a touchdown and appears to be healthy (he isn’t) to try and move on from him.

Seattle – Starter: Kenneth Walker, Handcuff: DeeJay Dallas

Kenny Walker stepped into bell cow territory Sunday with a 71% snap share and 23 touches for 110 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. If Seattle continues to have this type of game plan, Walker is going to get plenty of opportunities in the second half of the season. He is an RB2 moving forward. This also puts Deejay Dallas in play as the primary handcuff. Dallas has been useful in the past (Weeks 7 and 8 of 2020) so he should be on the radar.

San Francisco – Starter: Jeffrey Wilson, Handcuff: Tevin Coleman

It was a disaster of an afternoon for San Francisco in losing to Atlanta. Injuries continue to pile up for this team and we may not get a chance to see how good they could be. Wilson played 51% of the snaps but only rushed for 25 yards on seven carries. Coleman played 21% of the snaps but wasn’t a factor. Things don’t get easier with Kansas City looming this week.

Tampa Bay – Starter: Leonard Fournette, Handcuff: Rachaad White

Fournette carried the Tampa Bay offense Sunday, amassing 27 total touches for 101 yards and a receiving touchdown. He had an 82% snap share and is the one thing working for the Bucs right now. I am holding Rachaad White because he’s the only other back getting touches here and they are using him in a variety of ways and scenarios.

Tennessee – Starter: Derrick Henry, Handcuff: Dontrell Hilliard

Coming off a Week 6 bye, Henry is an RB1 while Hilliard is a top-12 handcuff.

Washington – Starter: Brian Robinson, Handcuffs: Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic,

Brian Robinson got 47% of the snaps and was the clear RB1 here with 17 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown. He played 4-of-5 snaps inside the 10-yard line as well. Antonio Gibson is probably dropable at this point unless you want to hold and hope they trade him. J.D. McKissic will continue to operate on 3rd-down but he’s a thin play even in PPR.

Handcuff Rankings

1. A.J. Dillon (GB)
2. Alexander Mattison (MIN)
3. Jamaal Williams (DET)
4. Khalil Herbert (CHI)
5. Tony Pollard (DAL)
6. Deon Jackson (IN)
7. Rachaad White (TB)
8. Kareem Hunt (CLE)
9. Jaylen Warren (PIT)
10. Samaje Perine (CIN)
11. Dontrell Hilliard (TEN)
12. James Cook (BUF)
13. Chargers RB’s
14. Michael Carter (NYJ)
15. Matt Breida (NYG)

Jason Kamlowsky is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JasonKamlowsky.